heating a viv for cresties

[clc136]

i need to get something for my cresties tank during the winter as my room gets pretty cold overnight.
I understand that bulbs are better than heat mats for creating a general temp increase but which is better heat lamps or the ceramic ones?
I dont really understand the difference, but the ceramic ones are quite a bit more pricey

[crouchy]

Ceramics last a lot longer and ovbviously dont give off any lght so they are better for giving heat at night. However ceramics get extremely hot so you have to make sure that a thermostat is used otherwise it could kill a cresties in a matter of miutes

[Lex]

Also another thing to consider with bulbs and gecko's with lamella is that they can climb and will jump, and if the bulb is within jumping distance chances are they will decide to jump onto it or try to climb onto it just to have a look to see whats new. Needless to say this wont be good for your animal at all. If your using a bulb, mount it in a way that is either inaccessable to your gecko's or purchase and fit a mesh heat guard around the bulb.

[crouchy]

Are you using a exoterra viv? If you are i suggest mounting the bulb outside the viv above the mesh. This way you minimise any risk of burns.

[!! Guy]

yeah thats an idea...or.. now here's a suggestion. because cresties absorb heat through their bellies... you should probably get a heat mat.
positioning it at the side of the viv towards to bottom as to not dry up the substrate.

[Setae]

In the wild cresties would get their warmth from basking in the sun, so a lamp is better in my opinion. Lamps are also better at heating the whole enclosure rather than a localised area. A ceramic bulb with a dimmer stat would be ideal, but as you said could turn out to be pricey.

Keep an eye out on the classifieds - I got a Habistat dimmer stat for £15 and a ceramic bulb/holder/reflector/heatproof cable for £10 I keep mine outside the tank and have had no problems.

[VPRX]

we use a compact top on our viv with a very low watt nightglo bulb to help raise the temp abit during the day. We put the heat on for about an hour during the day and night before we go to bed then switch it off, this has helped us as it get below 17 degrees in our house during the night.

[blackbat67]

can i just would a crestie be ok with a heatmat on the side in the bottom corner? coz i dont have the space for a bulb or whatever above the tank :/

thanks!

[Setae]

Have it so it's covering the top half of the back of the tank, and have places to hide all the way up the back so the crestie can pick somewhere where it's happy with the temperature. That should be fine, as long as your house doesn't get too hot/cold