When to upgrade to bigger setup?

[Russellm0704]

I just acquired a 12x12x12 exo terra for free and was wondering at what age will this terrarium be to small for a crestie(I'll be getting a baby crestie) I was told this size could house an adult but I don't think it will be big enough

 

[darkridder]

Around 10g is about when you would be looking to upgrade it into something along the lines of a 10 gallon in size

 

[Russellm0704]

Like a normal 10 gallon that is used for leo's or a 10 gallon high?(not sure if there is such thing)

 

[Dimidiata]

I would asume a tall tank because cresties are arboreal and like to climb. A 10gal is short imo. A 20gal tall(very common) are the same dimensions as a 10gal but with more height, i think that may be more desireable.

 

[Hannibal]

I think the 10g are just one std size, but a lot of us turn it vertical so they have more climbing space. If you want, you could just skip the middle size enclosure & when your little one is ready to upgrade, go ahead & put it into it's adult enclosure. I do this with my gargs & they seem to thrive better with more space. I just have to elevate their food/water bowls as they rarely hang out at the bottom of their enclosure; preferring middle & upper areas of their enclosure.

 

[Dimidiata]

hehe, i forgot about that trick XD.

 

[darkridder]

yes 10s only come in one standard size. Either way honestly does not make much of a difference in them as this is an intermediate tank as most people including myself will suggest for a full grown adult go with a 15 gallon or larger. I find if left on its bottom my guys use all of the space vs if I make it tall they dont go down to the bottom which may be do to lack of any real space because of the hide spot on the floor. It really can vary on the gecko and the species because even my gargs I often find asleep on the bottoms of their tubs. But maybe I have an oddball group of geckos

 

[Russellm0704]

Sounds good, I'll just save up for the larger exo terra because they look so freaking cool! I don't want the 12x12x12 to go to waste so what could live in there it's whole life one I upgrade my crestie? Maybe a panther gecko?

 

[darkridder]

the 12 x 12 x 12 exo is only 11 gallons, although yes tech an adult could live in there, IMO it is pretty cramped when you see a 35-50g gecko in it. So I would suggest saving up and getting the 18 x 18 x 18 exo which is about 25 gallons, plenty large enough for a single adult, or two adult females.

http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zilla-fresh-air-acrylic-atrium.html
These are really nice also, light weight and easy to clean and about 18 gallons. The only thing I would do to it is have a piece of plexi glass cut to fit the front screen section otherwise humidity escapes easily, but I have 3 and really like them.

For the 12 x 12 x 18 tank it could easily be used for a gold dust day gecko, p.klemmeri, williamsi, you are looking for smaller aboreal species. But the smaller aboreal species are not handling species.

 

[Russellm0704]

Thank you, it's a 12x12x12 zoomed, I don't really want a gecko I can handle in it, just one that could live in their happily their whole life and preferrably a nocturnal one

 

[Hannibal]

How about getting a Eurydactylodes agricolae? A single agricolae could live happily in the 12x12x12. Check out their care http://www.ddreptiles.net/caresheet_eury.html. I love my little boy, calm, friendly, easy to take out and hold.

 

[T-ReXx]

Mourning geckos are another good choice for a small setup if you want something nocturnal. I also recommend Oedura castelnaui, I recently got a pair and they are very cool, active little geckos that are fairly easy to care for and handle. An adult pair can live comfortably in a 10 gallon tank.

 

[Russellm0704]

Hannibal, do you feed them CGD?

 

[Hannibal]

Yep, he loves CGD & DGD, practically cleans his bowl every time; he's only 3.3g & eats more than a 25g juvie gargoyle. They are suppose to be insect lovers also, but he really hasn't shown much interest in crickets or dubias yet.

 

[Russellm0704]

You've convinced me hanibal, I want an agricolae, I'm having trouble finding any available though, are they hard to find?

 

[Hannibal]

Females are harder to find than males. There was an ad recently on Kingsnake Classifieds for 2 unsex babies about 1-2 months old.

 

[Russellm0704]

Is kingsnake where you got yours if you don't mind asking? I'd rather get him from a breeder

 

[Hannibal]

A good friend found him for me after he got his girl from Derek @ DDReptiles (same breeder of the care sheet above). Derek breeds/sales extremely high quality geckos. If he doesn't have any avail currently, you could be put on his waiting list for next avail.

 

[darkridder]

JB Crested Geckos has them from time to time, I highly suggest her also.

I also have a private breeder friend who breed them also however he doesnt have any left either. Their breeding season is the same as for cresteds. They also tend to cost a bit more, so I would just hold off and save your money until next year so that by that time your gecko will probably need the upgrade as about 20-25g is a good time to upgrade into the final tank, and some time to save up a few extra bucks.

 

[Hannibal]

The prices I've seen do vary; but unsexed usually $130-250, males usually $130-300, and females usually $275-600. Females cost more since males are more readily available.