Crested gecko lighting

[Henry_andres]

Hi I have a crested he is about 2 years old I recently moved and I now keep my reptiles in the basement there are some windows down there but it’s still pretty dark during the day. I’m not sure if his tank is being lit up enough during the day I do have a light on top but it’s just a regular one that came with the cage no uvb or anything I also have a small heater on low that is only turned on during winter because where I live it gets pretty cold at times. I want to get a new light for his cage but I’m not sure what to get. This is my first crestie I have owned I have had a lot of other reptiles but all very different from geckos so I wanna make sure I do it right! Thank you.

 

[acpart]

At the least, there needs to be enough light so the gecko can tell day from night. The ambient temperature in the cage should be at least 65F. Cresties are nocturnal so technically don't need much UVB, but it's not wrong to use it. I don't use it with my cresties but I do use LED lighting for the plants. If it gets really cold you can put some heat cable on the side of the enclosure. Check the lighting section of arcadiareptile.com for lighting information.

Aliza

 

[Henry_andres]

At the least, there needs to be enough light so the gecko can tell day from night. The ambient temperature in the cage should be at least 65F. Cresties are nocturnal so technically don't need much UVB, but it's not wrong to use it. I don't use it with my cresties but I do use LED lighting for the plants. If it gets really cold you can put some heat cable on the side of the enclosure. Check the lighting section of arcadiareptile.com for lighting information.

Aliza

Thank you so should I just get a regular led light that is bright enough to light up his cage?

 

[acpart]

That should be fine. Others do it differently, but most of these solutions work fine. My oldest crested gecko hatched in 2006!

Aliza

 

[Syfurmias]

For your crested gecko, you'll need a UVB light, like a ReptiSun 5.0, to ensure he gets the right amount of UVB for health. A full-spectrum LED bulb will also help brighten the tank since your basement is dark. Keep the temperature between 72-78°F, and your small heater should be fine for winter. Adding live plants can also improve his environment.

 

[Henry_andres]

For your crested gecko, you'll need a UVB light, like a ReptiSun 5.0, to ensure he gets the right amount of UVB for health. A full-spectrum LED bulb will also help brighten the tank since your basement is dark. Keep the temperature between 72-78°F, and your small heater should be fine for winter. Adding live plants can also improve his environment.

That should be fine. Others do it differently, but most of these solutions work fine. My oldest crested gecko hatched in 2006!

Aliza

Thank you! I also have been having a hard time keeping humidity in I have a mister setup to spray right before his lights turn off and when his lights turn on but I’m worried the humidity is just leaving. I’m using Exo Terra plantation soil I have the Exo Terra 12x12x18” terrarium I also have one of the tops covered with aluminum foil to try to help. His substrate seems to almost always been moist or wet. My thermometer/ hydrometer usually says 50-60%. Any ideas?

 

[acpart]

I've done fine with my geckos misting once at night. Unless you're using a digital hygrometer with a probe, you may not be able to count on it to be accurate. I don't worry about it and everyone does OK. I have found from experience that a 12x12x18 is too small for an adult. I usually use 18x18x24.

Aliza

 

[Henry_andres]

I've done fine with my geckos misting once at night. Unless you're using a digital hygrometer with a probe, you may not be able to count on it to be accurate. I don't worry about it and everyone does OK. I have found from experience that a 12x12x18 is too small for an adult. I usually use 18x18x24.

Aliza

Gotcha thank you I’ll look into a bigger set up!

 

[Barbosa2]

Thank you!