New To Geckos and Have a Few Questions

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VolpeRossa

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Hi, as i said in the title i'm new to geckos, well new to reptiles as a whole and have a few questions. I've been doing some research for a couple of weeks and have decided to get a crested gecko and recently bought a 18x18x18 exo terra tank off of someone who has been using it for hermit crabs. What would be the best way to clean the tank as it has a bit of a smell to it? Is the tank big enough for a crested gecko or is it more suited for a leopard gecko? and i live in Newfoundland so it can get a bit cold here in winter, whats the best way to heat the tank? i have a few more questions but thats all i can remember at the moment thanks in advance for any advice.
 
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acpart

Active member
Welcome to GU. You could start cleaning the tank by spraying with water and wiping, then spraying with hydrogen peroxide, leaving for 30 seconds and wiping, then doing the same with vinegar (and then water again if you want to get rid of the vinegar smell). There's also a product called Healthy Habitat made by Natural Chemistry (Welcome | Natural Chemistry) that you can probably get online.

Some people would say that 18x18x18 is too small for a crestie, though I have kept my crestie for nearly 8 years in a 12x12x18. I do keep a single leopard gecko in an 18x18x12 (the leopard gecko wouldn't need the 18" height.

Heating: For a crestie, if your home doesn't get below the mid 60's in the winter it's probably fine. Failing that, I would recommend a Zoo-med heat cable which you can tape to the side of the enclosure. I like it better than heat mats because you can remove it and re-use with no problem.

Where in Newfoundland are you? I was there on a bike trip quite awhile ago (but not in St. John).

Aliza
 

VolpeRossa

New member
Thanks and what the difference in heating requirements for leopard geckos and are they better for handling?
I'm in St. John's right not finishing school but i'm moving to Corner Brook for my on the job training at the end of next month.
 

acpart

Active member
Leopard geckos are terrestrial and require belly heat (so you need an under tank heater) in the low 90'sF. Most cresties can be kept at room temperature but the leopard geckos need the heat. They are different to handle because they don't jump and grab your fingers with their tails but are about equally handleable as cresties.
I have not been to Corner Brook, but was in Newfoundland quite awhile ago on a bike trip from Port aux Basques along the south coast (on the coastal steamer) to Argentia and Placentia, and, of course, the required stop for Americans in Dildo.

Aliza
 

Revasius

New member
Hello! Cresties are fine at room temperature, as long as it's not 60 degrees or lower. If you need to heat them, I recommend either using a ceramic heat emitter, which won't produce any light and mess with their day/night cycle, or an under-tank heater, which you could put either on the bottom or the back of the tank. Leopard geckos require higher heat, and I'm not exactly sure what range they need to be in.

In terms of handling, leopard geckos are more hardy and less likely to get stressed, and they're generally calmer as well. Cresties can tolerate handling, but they tend to jump without warning and are a lot more delicate than leos. Personally, I prefer cresties because of the ease of their diet, and the fact that they don't usually require heating or lighting. Good luck with your new gecko!
 

Hunniepott

New member
Hi I’m a super noob! I just got a crested gecko baby over the weekend. I named it Daffodil because it will be yellow and that is my favorite flower. If it turns out to be a male I can call him Daffy. Lol

So it hasn’t eaten yet. I have read they might take a couple weeks to get acclimated to their new home and start to eat. Can anyone confirm that? Just a little nervous because I’m a new mom. It’s is drinking and active at night. Also is interested the crickets that my sis has for her tarantula.

I know they don’t need heat but it seems a little happier a little warmer. The house at night prob does get to about 65. Is that too cool? It seems to be the bottom of the threshold.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 

Hilde

Administrator
Staff member
Hi I’m a super noob! I just got a crested gecko baby over the weekend. I named it Daffodil because it will be yellow and that is my favorite flower. If it turns out to be a male I can call him Daffy. Lol

Please start your own thread in the crested gecko subforum: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/crested-geckos-correlophus-rhacodactylus-ciliatus/

Asking about an unrelated matter, in a 3-year old thread won't get you much help, it could easily be overlooked.
 

cmerchant1598

New member
Hi,

I am currently using an under-tank heater on the left side of my 20 gallon tank; the right side is reserved for a cooler hide w/o an under-tank heater. In addition, I have a thermostat that the heater plugs into so that I can better regulate the temperature. Typically, I will have the warm side heater between 85-92 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hope this helps!
 
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