Newby starting a Crestie adventure!

[Crusty00]

Hi all!

I've been nosing around and reading care sheets for while and hopefully soon I'll be taking the plunge and getting a crested gecko!

I've had a few tropical fish tanks, my dad has a 250 gallon reef tank and I also have and African grey but I've decided I want something different. I've always wanted some kind of Lizard or Snake but have been put off by having to feed them insects and mice () After finding out about the CGD I got interested and have been reading up for the past month or so on Cresties!

Today I went into Enfield Reptile Centre and the first thing I saw were 2 huge Monitors on the floor which they were feeding so I stayed back and asked the man if they had any Crested Geckos and he brought out a baby one which Is the first I have seen!

Before I get started there's a few questions I've got which I was hoping someone could help me with:

1 - Should I buy the tank online or at the shop? (I only want 1 Gecko)
2 - Do I have to set up the tank then wait a week before adding the Gecko? (I had to with the fish )
3 - Temp - The guy at the store suggested a heat pad but I also want a light (for myself) so how would this work? When should I switch the light on?
4 - Lastly, Maintenance - When cleaning out the tank what should I be doing? (sounds stupid I know)

I think that's about it for now, also if anyone could recommend some good shops in/around London that would be great!

Thanks for any help and sorry for questions you've probably all heard before

[imitebmike]

1. I got my tank off the net, you might wanna take a gander at the classified section. a 45x45x60cm (lxwxh) would be more then enough for a couple of adults, and exo terras are great for them :P

2. you might wanna do that so you can monitor the tanks location, to see if the temps are good

3. you wont need extra heating unless your house gets drastically colder at night

4. you'll be spot cleaning daily (picking out doodoo and such), and a full clean will depend on the substrate...if using paper towels, then weekly, if using soil then monthly, and if using a bioactive substrate...then you'll be mixing it weekly

Also, you might wanna check out lilyexotics.co.uk for cresties, cause they are highly rated, and their geckos are very healthy

[Tommy123]

Originally Posted by Crusty00

Hi all!

I've been nosing around and reading care sheets for while and hopefully soon I'll be taking the plunge and getting a crested gecko!

I've had a few tropical fish tanks, my dad has a 250 gallon reef tank and I also have and African grey but I've decided I want something different. I've always wanted some kind of Lizard or Snake but have been put off by having to feed them insects and mice () After finding out about the CGD I got interested and have been reading up for the past month or so on Cresties!

Today I went into Enfield Reptile Centre and the first thing I saw were 2 huge Monitors on the floor which they were feeding so I stayed back and asked the man if they had any Crested Geckos and he brought out a baby one which Is the first I have seen!

Before I get started there's a few questions I've got which I was hoping someone could help me with:

1 - Should I buy the tank online or at the shop? (I only want 1 Gecko) Doesn't matter really, wherever's cheaper
2 - Do I have to set up the tank then wait a week before adding the Gecko? (I had to with the fish ) It would be better, or around 2-3 days to get tempreture, humidity stable etc.
3 - Temp - The guy at the store suggested a heat pad but I also want a light (for myself) so how would this work? When should I switch the light on? Well it depends what tempreture the room its in is. If it's too cold, you'll need a heat mat, if not, it'll be fine with no heat.
4 - Lastly, Maintenance - When cleaning out the tank what should I be doing? (sounds stupid I know) When it's a daily spot clean, or every other day, or whatever pick up food, and replace CGD. When a full clean replace substrate, maybe rearrange the plants.

I think that's about it for now, also if anyone could recommend some good shops in/around London that would be great!

Thanks for any help and sorry for questions you've probably all heard before

My answers in red. I haven't got a crestie, but I have researched, a lot! I soon hope to get one.
I've probaly missed something vital, but I'm sure someone will correct me
Hope this helps.

[OrigamiB]

Buy it online if you want, just get it wherever is cheaper xD
Also, you dont have to set it up a week in advance but obviously it doesnt hurt as it means you can monitor your conditions and adjust accordingly without any harm to the animals.
Also, heating i'd suggest a heatmat too on a thermostat.... some say you don't need it but in my opinion I have one anyway just so I can keep the temperatures regulated and at a nice constant level.
Cleaning and maintanence is a daily spot clean and then weekly/monthly depending on substrate and general condition

[Crusty00]

Thanks for the quick reply

That link is great! I like the Exo Terra tanks which is what I'm looking for, with regards to the heat pad should it be placed underneath or at the back? The light and heat pad can't be on at the same time can it?

(Woah another 3 replies while I was writing this)

My house is generally warm but can get cold when the heating isn't on so I think I will definitely need something.

[OrigamiB]

They can both be on at the same time, all I use is a low % UVB bulb and keep it on a 12 hour cycle (on at 7, off at 7). The bulbs dont get particularly hot so its fine

Also, I put my heatmat at the bottom but I use a wood viv so may be different for all glass ones

[Tommy123]

Originally Posted by Crusty00

Thanks for the quick reply

That link is great! I like the Exo Terra tanks which is what I'm looking for, with regards to the heat pad should it be placed underneath or at the back? The light and heat pad can't be on at the same time can it?

(Woah another 3 replies while I was writing this)

My house is generally warm but can get cold when the heating isn't on so I think I will definitely need something.

I'd probaly say on underneath, but I'm not so sure. The heat mat, and light can be on at the same time, why didn't you think this, out of intrest?
What sort of tempreture can your house fall too?

[OrigamiB]

Originally Posted by Tommy123

I'd probaly say on underneath, but I'm not so sure. The heat mat, and light can be on at the same time, why didn't you think this, out of intrest?
What sort of tempreture can your house fall too?

Probably thought that the light would let off too much heat, but a normal UVB bulb doesnt let off much heat... mines been on all day now and I can still touch it.

The heatmat is a judgement call I guess but in my opinion its better to be safe then sorry and its nice to keep the temperature regulated

[Crusty00]

Originally Posted by OrigamiB

Probably thought that the light would let off too much heat

Thats what I thought, I'm not actually sure what the temp is in my house but when the heating isn't on it can be a bit cold (no double glazing doesn't help) I'll get the heat pad anyway and monitor the temp when it's set up then I can use it if needed.

Anyone got any links to get the bits?

Thanks

[OrigamiB]

I normally use Rainforest Reptile Supplies -Live Food, Dry Food, Frozen Food, Lighting, Heating, Vivariums, Equipment, and More, they have pretty competitive prices on most things you'l need