Crestie Questions

[Cody]

Well, I was just bit by the reptile/gecko bug, and not even being halfway through setting up a Leo tank, I want to keep a Crested Gecko. I have been doing some research, and everything about is the same thing, but I want some questions answered from the experts about some things I still need a good answer.

1) Housing: I have a spare 10G tank that has a screen top. If I turned it on its side (vertical wise), what age Gecko would I be able to keep? Will I be able to keep an adult Crestie in there long-term? I may keep live plants, but they might just be fake.

2) Feeding: Is the Crested Gecko Diet (CGD) fine to feed without any insects? I would be able to provide some Mealies (since I will have a Leo), but I read that was bad for a staple.

3) Hides: I assume they will need a moist hide somewhere, and a regular hide? Do plants/decor provide a hiding place?

4) Substrate: Eco-Earth for humidity? I live in Colorado, so we have almost no humidity...

Again, I'm new to most reptiles, and just wanted some things confirmed.
Thanks.

 

[Cody]

I'm sorry, but I forgot to add...

Could I use a 20 gallon long aquarium, either on its side or regular? Or would this be too tall/short?

 

[leopardboy193]

1- Those tanks will be fine on their side and you should be able to keep all ages in it,

2- You can just feed cgd or you can feed insects too. u choose

3- Yes plants are included by hides and you will need moist hides and a regular hide on the bottom of the cage

4- Yes eco-earth works perfect for humidity

 

[Cody]

Thank you.

Just thought of this...

I plan on doing the foam/grout background, but I plan to add ledges, pot holders, and food holders. I want to have a colored background (green). What should I paint it with that would be safe for the cresties, yet will not wash off (due to water/humidity)? I was thinking spraypaint, but I would think that would be harmful.

 

[leopardboy193]

Im not sure. i dont have a background.

 

[Anthony Caponetto]

Well, I was just bit by the reptile/gecko bug, and not even being halfway through setting up a Leo tank, I want to keep a Crested Gecko. I have been doing some research, and everything about is the same thing, but I want some questions answered from the experts about some things I still need a good answer.

1) Housing: I have a spare 10G tank that has a screen top. If I turned it on its side (vertical wise), what age Gecko would I be able to keep? Will I be able to keep an adult Crestie in there long-term? I may keep live plants, but they might just be fake.

2) Feeding: Is the Crested Gecko Diet (CGD) fine to feed without any insects? I would be able to provide some Mealies (since I will have a Leo), but I read that was bad for a staple.

3) Hides: I assume they will need a moist hide somewhere, and a regular hide? Do plants/decor provide a hiding place?

4) Substrate: Eco-Earth for humidity? I live in Colorado, so we have almost no humidity...

Again, I'm new to most reptiles, and just wanted some things confirmed.
Thanks.

1 - A ten gallon tank has sufficient height...no need to turn it on its side. Turned on its side, your gecko won't have much floor space and it's just going to be a pain in the butt for you. Even though they're arboreal by nature, floor area is still more important than height, provided they can at least feel like they're off the ground (when they want to be).

2 - CGD by itself is fine, but they'll eat more and grow faster if you supplement with crickets. We feed crickets once a week...makes it easy if you don't want to keep crickets on hand.

3 - Hides are great, but dense foliage is where they tend to be found in the wild, so that's definitely a good idea. We generally just use a humid hide and lots of foliage/climbing structures.

4. Paper substrate is safer if you're feeding crickets (no risk of ingesting substrate). If you have a humid hide and mist every day or two, that should take care of humidity issues.

 

[Anthony Caponetto]

Thank you.

Just thought of this...

I plan on doing the foam/grout background, but I plan to add ledges, pot holders, and food holders. I want to have a colored background (green). What should I paint it with that would be safe for the cresties, yet will not wash off (due to water/humidity)? I was thinking spraypaint, but I would think that would be harmful.

Eh...I'd probably avoid spray paint. Have you looked at the new T-Rex foam backgrounds? They have two really neat ones made specifically for 10 gallon tanks. They're soft foam too, so I think they would tend to hold moisture/humidity...really cool idea, actually.