Crested Gecko - 1st Timer - Please Help!!!

My son, soon to be 8 years old, and I are going to be getting our very first reptile and have decided our best option and number one choice is the Crested Gecko.

In my hours and hours of reading and research I’ve found several items I need a little more clarification about so I’m hoping you can give me some help.

1) In some of my reading it’s mentioned that a 20 gallon tank is the appropriate size but then some (even in the same article that said to get a 20 gallon tank) say that you can use a 12x12x18 tank (although this is only about 11 gallons). So should I be looking at the 12x12x18 size or the 18x18x24 size or the 14x14x24 (which is closest to 20 gallons)?

2) Some articles say that room temperature (71 degrees in my home) is fine for a crested gecko while other articles say it needs to be between 76 and 80 degrees. Which is correct?

3) This may depend on the answer to question 2 but, is an under tank heater needed, or best, for a crested gecko (in order to keep temps up)? If so, what size?

4) When misting the tank, is it best to do it once in the morning and once at night?

5) I know leopard geckos need a ‘shedding hide’ that’s heated. Do crested geckos need that same type of hide to help with shedding? If so, should it be placed over the under tank heater (if one is used)?

6) In your opinion what is the best substrate to use? I like the carpet or paper towels because they are super easy to clean but they (especially the paper towels) really don’t make it look like a rain forest home? Easy to clean, cheap, and not bad looking are the characteristics I’m looking for I guess. Coconut Fiber?

7) Can anyone recommend a ‘good product for the money’ thermometer and hydrometer?

8) How important is it to give crested geckos crickets as a part of their diet? Is there anyone that gives their crested gecko a Repashy MRP diet 100% of the time?

9) I have a couple options when we purchase our Crested Gecko: a) one of two local pet stores; b) Repticon Show (two in April, about an hour away each); or c) a breeder (about 3 hours away but, at least looking at their webpage, don’t have many crested geckos). Would one of the two Repticon Shows be my best bet? Would the show have some on the cheaper side (I don’t need a super rare morph or anything)?

10) Repashy or Pangea?

I appreciate all your help and patience. I’m just trying to make sure I have everything covered and understand all the needs of my future crested gecko.

TripleB

1. Size isn't a big deal mainly get a Small-Medium size tall one with front glass at ++++++++ or +++++ or to get ideas for online.

2. Optimal temps are 70-78

3. Generally Cresteds are Arborial and will stay in the leaves and not on the ground so not generally unless it's to just regulate over all temps better

4. Misting morning noon and night is best, optimal humidity should stay 50-100%

5. They don't need it, they use humidity to shed.

6. Coconut fiber covered with Moss is best to keep humidity up overall, but if you mist more often you can get away with paper towels

7. Zoo Med makes good ones and they're all gonna read close to the same, doesn't take fancy to keep a Crested Happy and Healthy.

8. Repashy isn't complete, Pangea Crested Gecko Diet is supposedly the best which is what I'm switching too. Crickets are good as a once a week thing with Pangea it's almost unneeded, but it helps with growth. I'm replacing crickets with dried flies powdered mixed with calcium in with the Pangea CGD.

9. Pet store ones are iffy due to diseases and parasites and poor care, but I had a Crested for 10 years from ++++++++. Repticon always has cheaper ones, but you can always order one offline from a breeder decently priced if anything.

Anymore questions feel free to ask.



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TripleB said:

1) In some of my reading it’s mentioned that a 20 gallon tank is the appropriate size but then some (even in the same article that said to get a 20 gallon tank) say that you can use a 12x12x18 tank (although this is only about 11 gallons). So should I be looking at the 12x12x18 size or the 18x18x24 size or the 14x14x24 (which is closest to 20 gallons)?

Click to expand...

I keep my males as singles in the 12" x 12" x 18" ExoTerra vivs. Small females can do okay in those, too. I think 20's or the like are better for larger females. A small breeding trio can be maintained in a 29 gallon viv.

2) Some articles say that room temperature (71 degrees in my home) is fine for a crested gecko while other articles say it needs to be between 76 and 80 degrees. Which is correct?

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I keep mine at room temp, which in my home is typically the low 70's. It never goes above 75 or below 70.

3) This may depend on the answer to question 2 but, is an under tank heater needed, or best, for a crested gecko (in order to keep temps up)? If so, what size?

Click to expand...

If ambient heat is needed, try a low wattage regular light bulb. Heat pads dry out substrate and make it hard to maintain humidity.

4) When misting the tank, is it best to do it once in the morning and once at night?

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Yes. I mist more thoroughly at night. This is especially important for babies.

5) I know leopard geckos need a ‘shedding hide’ that’s heated. Do crested geckos need that same type of hide to help with shedding? If so, should it be placed over the under tank heater (if one is used)?

Click to expand...

I know a couple of people who do humid hides in lieu of daily misting. If you are misting and keeping the humidity up this should not be needed.

6) In your opinion what is the best substrate to use? I like the carpet or paper towels because they are super easy to clean but they (especially the paper towels) really don’t make it look like a rain forest home? Easy to clean, cheap, and not bad looking are the characteristics I’m looking for I guess. Coconut Fiber?

Click to expand...

I use EcoEarth for my older, male or non-gravid female geckos. Babies and gravid females are on paper towels.

7) Can anyone recommend a ‘good product for the money’ thermometer and hydrometer?

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I use an LLLReptile infrared thermometer. I don't use hydrometers. They aren't accurate. I just mist twice a day and it seems to work well for me.

8) How important is it to give crested geckos crickets as a part of their diet? Is there anyone that gives their crested gecko a Repashy MRP diet 100% of the time?

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CGD is theoretically a complete diet. You can feed it alone to all life stages. However, my babies grow faster and better once they are large enough to take crickets, so I do feed crickets every couple of days. I have found that most of my adults outgrow liking crickets.

9) I have a couple options when we purchase our Crested Gecko: a) one of two local pet stores; b) Repticon Show (two in April, about an hour away each); or c) a breeder (about 3 hours away but, at least looking at their webpage, don’t have many crested geckos). Would one of the two Repticon Shows be my best bet? Would the show have some on the cheaper side (I don’t need a super rare morph or anything)?

Click to expand...

Breeders are almost always better quality and less risk, but if you can find a well-built and feeding baby at a pet store, there's no reason not to buy it there.

10) Repashy or Pangea?

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Mine prefer Pangea. They like the watermelon and banana flavors.