Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[neep_neep]

I gave in to temptation at the weekend when I spotted a Crested Gecko Starter Kit half price in a garden centre... i've never been too good at the resisting temptation thing...

So i've set it up, bought a couple of plants for it, and am planning to get a crestie at the Exeter show (if there are any there I like!)

Anyway, this is the set-up at the moment - I just need to get a couple more branches and/or some more cork for him/her to hide behind, plus still got to set up the lighting!



The substrate is still a bit wet from where I had to add water to make it expand, so i'm waiting for some of that to evaporate - am I right in thinking that it should only be moist? Or nearly dry?

I know that if I get a hatchling I will have to put it into something smaller with just kitchen roll as a substrate until it's older, but was just wondering if anybody had any suggestions on the set-up I have at the moment? And at what age are they able to go into this sort of set-up?

I also bought an exo-terra Sun Glo and a Night Glo bulb, and was planning on having these on some sort of timer, so the Sun Glo was on during the day, and Night Glo at night...is there a specific number of hours these should be on for? And how would I go about rigging them up? Is it better to have each bulb on a timer (i.e. 12 hours on, 12 hours off) or to have them on a day/night stat (which is light activated)? If they were on a light activated stat, would it trigger it to the day bulb if I turned the room light on during the night?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure that everything is right for when I finally get a crestie! Any help and comments would be appreciated as I am totally new to reptiles - i've been doing some reading, but have never practically set anything up before!

Thanks

[Scott W]

Hi, your set up looks quite good, perhaps add a few cork tube for hiding.
The substrate is fine moist so long as you have a fully meshed lid or side.

With the lights, I wouldn't add anything extra, chances are it will be far too hot until at least late september. If you did want to control photo period then 12 on 12 off would be fine.

The only thing I would say is that when I added moss to my younger cresteds I lost a few due to choking on the moss, not sure if there were any reasons I had not thought about but taking the moss out obviously stopped it. I don't use moss for any of my rhaco's now.

Good luck.

Don't think I can make it to Exeter but I will have plenty of cresteds at Portsmouth show.
_________________

Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[JohnC]

I don't think you should use any lights either as they produce a lot of heat and the viv should be warm enough already. The temperature should not go over 80 degrees F.
_________________
John
Oldest member, been keeping reptiles for 36 years.
Carpets, royals, rainbow boas, corns, milks, ackies and leos.

[neep_neep]

Rightyo, that's sorted then, no lights! It'll save me having to faff about with trying to rig them up Will save them for a more suitable set-up in the future

Hmm, I shall have to rethink the moss then - do you think it's best to dispense with it altogether, and not use it when adult either?

And yep, the lid is fully meshed! Shall be purchasing some more cork bark before I purchase said Crestie

At what age would it be ok to be introduced into this set-up? i.e. off paper towel?

Thanks

[Budda]

Looks good, substrate is good moist as long as there is ample ventilation, i use paper towel for all my Rhacs now but that is just to make it easier to clean them all out.

I use UV 5.0 lighting for my breeding group of Aurics (Gargoyle geckos) and there is at least one under it during the day soaking up some rays (i find that with my lighter and white Aurics that it makes them become lighter and whiter, plus they get really bright)
_________________
Play Hard

[SI654]

I would ditch thoose analogue type hygrometer temp dial things in my experience of using them they never work right and use a digital unit that does both ..

[Xx_JoJo_xX]

Are digital ones expensive?
_________________

[Budda]

I got my digital thermometer and hydrometer (sp) for £6, so they aint expenisive.
_________________
Play Hard

[neep_neep]

Ah ok, I shall invest in a digital one then! Thank you!

[Xx_JoJo_xX]