Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

joffy666 · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:28 pm Post subject: Crested Gecko - 1st timer

Hi, i'm currently planning to get my 1st ever pet reptile and after many hours in Google and forums I've decided a Crested Gecko would be my best option.

But I'd be most grateful for some more advice please...

I've found the vivarium, a Exo Terra 18x18x24.
I know it's best to have the heat source from above in this setup, and my room can get chilly so will need something for sure.

Some say a heatmat stuck to the side will be ok, others say not and go for a infrared lamp, all on thermostats.

Do infrared bulbs light a dark room much, enough to disturb a persons sleep?

What's the most economical heating method?

Can you use bottled mineral water to mist and feed and would you still need to treat the water first?

Finally... (for now) where's the best place to buy large branches, real or fake, online?

Cheers folks.
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Stuart · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:

You could use a heat mat connected to a thermostat and bottled water will be fine for misting.As for plants etc send MJ a pm on here or check out his site www.urbanbromeliad.co.uk
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Jack · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

or trty B&Q they have some good plants
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jack
http://z3.invisionfree.com/snakechat/index.php

joffy666 · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

Cheers, so bottled water wouldn't need any treatment before hand and would be ok for the rep to drink?

Any advice on the heating options?
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Jack · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject:

well a heat pad on one side of the tank with a stat will be fine
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jack
http://z3.invisionfree.com/snakechat/index.php

Stuart · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject:

Jack · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:04 pm Post subject:

well that to i just didnt want to offend Laughing

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jack
http://z3.invisionfree.com/snakechat/index.php

Stuart · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:43 pm Post subject:

joffy666 · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:00 am Post subject:

I'm gonna use artificial plants, just to make things easier.
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Dracowoman2 · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:12 am Post subject:

I agree with Stuart, especially if you are planning on getting a baby, the live plants would be great as they would also help keep the humidity up if you aren't there to spray them twice a day, I currently have plastic stick on plants, but at some Point Paul and I are going to work together to kit the thing out in all real plants, but the bulb will need to be changed for this otherwise the plants die Laughing

. I have an exo terra light hood on my Terrarium, and I'm currently running a dayglo bulb for daytime and a night glow blue bulb for night time. This helps to keep the heat up, but I also have a heatmat UNDER the bottom on the terrarium on the outside, as there is an air gap between the bottom of the tank and the mat and also about 2 inches of eco earth inside the bottom this give just a nice amount of extra gentle heat that rises, and also works on the humidity. I think you will only need to worry about night temps if they drop below the mid 60's to high F, but I keep mine at 24c day and night, and they are lively little beggers to say the least, especially when the light goes off, and as I'm like dracula and the room has to be like being down a coalmine in a blackout, when I settle down the cresties night light goes off as well, and within minutes they leap around like loonies on speed Laughing

Hope that helps in some way, sorry for teh essay Laughing

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www.draco2.co.uk

"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"

Claire