Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

minno · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:58 am Post subject: student-like question

OK so I'm a uni student so price is an issue when it comes to buying everything, just wanted 2 know roughly how much you need to spend on a tank and the bits, want to either a Exo Terra 30x30x45 or a Exo Terra 45x45x60 I'm only getting a single gecko so would a 30x30x45 tank be big enough for a single adult crestie?? id need a small heat light for keeping the temperature with a thermostat on to keep the temperature where it is, a humidity gauge and a temperature gauge, then all i really need are the fake plants and a few decent sized branches to get the tank looking nice and give plenty of hiding ect and the substrate (want a natural looking tank) if anybody could give me a price for this stuff id be thankful. got a price off eBay for all the tank accessories and its come to 155 but still need the plants, branches and substrate

ToonTomH · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

http://www.captivebred.co.uk/crested_gecko_care_guide.htm

Try that. The price is at the bottom.
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1.1.1 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon

Exalted Gecko · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:07 pm Post subject:

I would get the larger if you can afford it, your gonna need it in roughly six months when the crestie grows up so why pay for two vivs?

Dont bother with a humidity gauge, just mist the viv with water moderately once a day, I do mine on the evening.

I wouldnt bother buying a temp gauge unless your going to get a digital one, you dont need to know the temps 24/7 if you have a thermostat to keep things constant.

Calibrate the stat with a digital thermometer over several days before you get the gecko! and then once you have a warm end hot spot of say 78F with the other side of the viv being more like 70F, over a period of several days, your set for your crestie.

It may seem like a hassle but believe me, having everything perfect before the gecko arrives cuts out most problems that could occur. Oh and I would also not feed or hassle the new arrival for 3 days to allow it to settle and get its appetite. Razz

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Kind Regards,

Chris

minno · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:40 pm Post subject:

thanks chris, think im going to get the bigger of the 2, as for heat think im going for either a ceramic bulb or getting a normal spot light tbh i think the ceramic bulb cause i can use it for night when its colder, as for thermometer im not going to get that, and going to get a cheap humidity gauge just to make sure i can get it there, getting the tank set up and working for bouta week so i know that the temp ect is right was already dong that but thanks for the other advice

also im thinking about getting a juvi instead woulda jouvi be ok in that tank?? a friend of my aunty said should be fine but if the crestie isnt eatin properly then screen the top half of the tank off so its temporary smaller would that work ok?

Exalted Gecko · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

The only real issue with size is the crestie finding the food. But in a viv that big it wouldnt be a problem, its good for the gecko to hunt for its food a bit. And of course, more entertaining for you. Smile

I really would recommend a digital thermometer, It's far more important than a hygrometer. Knowing what the exact temps are at various points in the viv gives you piece of mind and f course ensures that the gecko is comfortable in its environment.
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Kind Regards,

Chris

minno · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:49 pm Post subject:

kk ill buy a digital thermometer that u point at, they on ebay heres a few i can find with a quick look which would you say would be better for me?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/THERMOMETER-HYGROMETER-IDEAL-FOR-HYDROPONIC-REPTILE_W0QQitemZ280100106740QQcategoryZ1285QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TN1-imfrared-Thermometer-reptiles-vivarium_W0QQitemZ190098729929QQcategoryZ1285QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Goose · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject:

probably the first as the second is a an infrared thermometer that only measures the surface temperature of objects rather than the ambient air temperature.
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Tom

peace, love and captive breeding

Jackie · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject:

You may not need added heating. What is your average room temperature? Daytime temperatures should range from 75oF - 82oF. Have a read through the following article: http://www.reptiles.repashy.com/resources_RUSA_article.htm
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Best wishes, Jackie

3:4 Eublepharis macularius
1:0 Gekko gecko
3:4:1 R. auriculatus
1:3 R. ciliatus
1:1 R. chahoua
1:1 R. leachianus henkeli

minno · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject:

the room temperature today was 16C sooo thats what 60F roughly... so id need to heat up 10F the heat mat sounds like a good idea that way they have the total choice. would it be better to mount it so its hottest on the floor gradually going up or side ways so it goes across the side of the tank?

Exalted Gecko · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject:

Heat mats aren't the best for heating viv's where the temps need to be warmer near the top of the viv. I prefer bulbs because they provide a day/night cycle at the same time as heating.
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Kind Regards,

Chris