TripleB
New Member
- Messages
- 13
- Location
- North Carolina
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
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
Last edited: