Questions about Crested Gecko Housing & Care

So, sometime in late March/April, I'm hoping to add a Crested Gecko to my family. I do already own a year old Leopard Gecko, and was doing some research for my next gecko, and I settled on the Crested.

I'm going to order most of my supplies from Pangea Reptile, because the tanks are sooo much cheaper than in my pet store (53.00$ vs 113.00$), as well as the decor. I also am going to order the Repashy CGD.

What I need to know, are multiple things:

1. Can you recommend a good breeder who has reasonably priced (50-60$ range, don't need any fancy morphs ) geckos, that is either in Canada, or can ship to Canada?

2. Do you think a screen cage (like Zoo-Med's ReptiBreeze) or a mostly glass, like an Exo-Terra, would be best?

3. The big debate: Substrate! Eco-Carpet, Eco-Earth or Sphagnum Moss? If you know of something else I could use (besides paper-towels, I really do want a planted or semi-realistic tank), just tell me.

4. Plastic or Real plants? Or a mixture? If planted, what kind of plants are safe for Cresties?

If there is anything else I've missed, just tell me. Oh, do I need any type of extra heating if my house stays at 75ºF?

Thanks! I want to do as much research as I can.

-Kyee

What I need to know, are multiple things:

1. Can you recommend a good breeder who has reasonably priced (50-60$ range, don't need any fancy morphs ) geckos, that is either in Canada, or can ship to Canada?

I wish I could ship to Canada but im sure you can find someone with a Crestie for a reasonable price

2. Do you think a screen cage (like Zoo-Med's ReptiBreeze) or a mostly glass, like an Exo-Terra, would be best?

A glass aquarium or plastic tub is best to hold humidity at least in my opinion.

3. The big debate: Substrate! Eco-Carpet, Eco-Earth or Sphagnum Moss? If you know of something else I could use (besides paper-towels, I really do want a planted or semi-realistic tank), just tell me.

I don't know I use paper towels but i recommend a non loose substrate for a young crestie so they dont accidently ingest it just me wanting to be safe not sorry. i would go with non fertilized potting soil and eco earth mix for planted tanks but they can be semi hard to maintain i dont know i had planted for a bit but got sick of it pretty fast and just went with papertowels its easy to clean and monitor whether the gecko is eating or not.


4. Plastic or Real plants? Or a mixture? If planted, what kind of plants are safe for Cresties?
I use fake plants and decor. Use reptile safe plants research on Google there is a long list i cant remember. but if you want a planted tank then research the proper setup for the plants and stuff. if not fake is fine too and easier to maintain and clean.

If there is anything else I've missed, just tell me. Oh, do I need any type of extra heating if my house stays at 75ºF?

Temps are fine, no need for extra heat.

Thanks! Crested's look like such fun to own. I just got my mom's okay as long as I save up the money.

Thats awesome. They are very neat lil animals that are very easy to maintain.

I know AC can ship to Canada, Pangea,Urban Gecko may be able to also. Normally it is the big breeders that will so you may have to pay a higher price for one. Northerngecko.ca is also in canada, stunning geckos, not cheap geckos either. Check Kingsnake.com they have a small list of people who are in canada/ship there. Otherwise you might want to research some shows in larger cities.

As for a plant list, I will get you the long extended list they were talking about later today..lol I wouldnt put one in a juvie tank as they will require a medium sized kritter keeper but once your gecko moves up into something larger you can start adding plants.

Thanks! Yea, I was looking at Pangea, and they didn't have a huge selection atm. I'll take a look at AC and Urban Gecko.

And, I agree. I have an extra 10gallon from when my Leo was younger, and an extra KK, so I'll have them in there for the first few months of their life, then slowly move up to the real plants and eco-earth in the Exo.

Pangea always has a TON of geckos, Matt just doesnt put pictures up of all of them. I know he does a reptile show every month by me and he brings about 75 geckos to the show, so he always has tons. So if you have something in mined email him and tell him what you are looking for, he is super friendly and super easy to work with. If you are still not interested in his geckos (whch you have a better chance of finding a gecko in your price range from him over AC and UB), try joining the pangea forum (I am thongweghtie there btw) or repashy as they are rhac focused where as this is leo focused, you ar emore apt to find someone there with more possible canadian breders.

Here is the plant list like I promised!
Bromeliads:

*Aechmea fasciata (Urn plants/Silver Vase Bromeliad) – Large

*Billbergia nutans – (queens Tears) partial shade to bright indirect light

*Cryptanthus zonatus (Earth stars) – warm, humid, bright light

*Guzmania lingulata – warm, humid, bright light

*Nidularium – 12-15 inches, low to Med. Light

*Tillandsia – Air plant, warm & humid

*Vrisea splendens (sword bromeliads) Light shade


~Other Plants:

*Acalphya (copperleafs, chenille plants)

*Adiantum (maidenhair ferns) – cool and dry in winter

*Aglaonema (Chinese evergreens)

*Alocasia (elephant ears) – must be kept moist, humid and warm, will either not do well or overgrow everything

*Asplenium (Bird’s nest fern) – moist soil, up to 3 feet high

*Bamboo - (live or dry) please the the Wikipedia article, way to much interesting info to list! Clippings will produce.

*Beaucarnea recurvata - (Ponytail Palms)

*Calathea zebrine - (Zebra plant) – moist moderate temps, moderate light

*Ceropegia woodii - (Rosary Vine,Hearts entangled, or String of hearts) Water thoroughly, and then allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again.

*Chlorophytum - (spider plants) – average humidity, moderate light, should be allowed to get almost dry before watering

*Cissus - (kangaroo vines, grape ivys)

*Crassula ovata - (jade plant, friendship tree or money plant) Clippings will produce.

*Cyrtomium - (holly ferns)

*Dracaena - (Dragon plants)

*Ficus (rubber trees, ornamental figs) Direct light works best. Use caution with any plant of the ficus family that has a "milky sap" when leafs/stems are broken, it is a skin and eye irritant.

*Maranta - (prayer plant) warm temps, high humidity

*Peperomia – (radiator plant) some in this family are an epiphyte or air plant. Clippings will generally produce.

*Radermachera sinica - (China Doll)very difficult to root, Growth slower used by nursery, will grow fast and less bushy.

*Sanseveria - (Snake Plants)aethiopica,caniculata,kirkii pulchra, parva, pinguicula, sinularis, thyrsiflora & trifasciata

*Scindapsus (Pothos) – look like philodendron, very hardy. Clippings will produce.

*Spathiphyllum (peace lilies) – keep moist.

*Tradescantia zebrina - (wandering Jew/ spiderwart) Can cause skin irritation in humans when handled frequently. Clippings will produce. Called inch plant because it can grow up to an inch a day!

****WARNING*****
Do not use plants listed below.

Dieffenbachia – All parts of the plant are poisonous, due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals

Philodendron- All parts of the plant are poisonous, due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals
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Thanks! -planning the cage- This'll be so cool.

I personally would start the little one off on paper towel substrate so you can quarantine and establish that it is indeed eating and pooping. (easier to keep the cage clean!) Youc an go with plastic plants and fake plants at first as well, then after a quarantine period where you know the gecko is established and healthy, consider making a planted viv for the little guy.
You've gotten some great advice so far on breeders, the most important thing is to research the breeders/sellers, ask them questions such as:
What are you feeding your geckos?
Do you keep track of lineage?
What are your set ups like?
etc.
You can always check the faunaclassifieds Board of Inquiry of you have questions on the ethics or ease of dealing with a seller/breeder.
Its great that you're doing the research before hand, this will save you so much trouble in the long run!

Thanks, Saille! I really want to do this right, so I'm asking beforehand.