Crested geckos advice

[coura]

Hi guys here´s a few questions Ive been wondering about cresteds for quite some time now. Im considering in the arboreal lizard department doing all cresteds (and no Im not doing this because of the recent crested popularity in the forum). Im atracted to them by they awesome looks, personality and increadble ease of care. So here:
Is it better to use a naturalistic terrarium or a simpler to mantain one? If I were to go for a naturalistic one Im conserned they may injest peaces of bark or anything

Second I here dont have acess to pre made crested food so I would feed them natural food: shreded fruit (mango, peach, banana, kiwi, grapes,etc) with suplements, honey and mealworms and crikets. Is that ok?

And finely my biggest consern with cresteds. I understed that these guys are sensitive to overheating. I dont plan to use any lamps or anything but here in the summer indoors can be like 26-27C, its that ok? I would moist frequently and keep them in a shaddy position. How do people that keep them in warmer climates like Varanio proceed?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Well you know me coura, I like to keep my setups as natural as possible and the same goes for my cresteds.

You can make your own food, just stay away from citrus fruits. Just mix them in a blender, add some vitamins and you're ready to rock and roll.

Definitely don't let them overheat. Anything close to the mid to high 80's F˚ is bad for them. I keep mine in my basement where it stays about 70˚F all year long so I don't run into problems keeping them cool. A basement may or may not be an option for you. If not, keep them in some cool area in your house. Avoid areas of direct sunlight for starters.

 

[Citrinellus]

I have my crested in my bedroom, but since its winter time my house stays at 75 F. I plan on moving him to the basement once it starts getting warmer.

For food, see if your able to get repashy crested gecko diet shipped out to you. Its pretty reasonably priced, an 8 oz. bag has lasted me over 2 months and i'm only 1/3 of a way into it. But, I have one juvenile.

My set-up is pretty realistic, I have vines and various plastic plants set-up. I have eco-earth as a substrate so I don't worry about compaction. But, as long as you feed live food in a separate container I think you would be fine. If your going to have multiple cages set-up a papertowel substrate might be easier for you. Here is a picture of my set-up to give you an idea.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Well if we're going to show tank setups, here's mine. Keep in mind that these photos are almost a year old so the setup is a bit different now. I've added a few more plants and they've really filled in.

 

[mr.reef24]

wow you guys have nice setup my setups are mostly bare bones paper towel bottom vines a water dish and 2 oz cup for 2-part rephasy diet. They are all housed in my room temp is like 70 degrees right now and 55% humidity.

mr.reef24

 

[coura]

I noticed at least Vicious uses ligthing for the plants, wont that cause too much heat? I plan on keeping them in a cool area with just the room´s ligth. Thankfully Sanseveira doesant need much ligth. But I would really like to hear Varanio´s opinion. I would really like to get into crested keeping, dont hear me wrong I love my anoles but to tell the truth Im kind of tyerd of so delicate and shy species.

 

[davo]

Keep in mind that these photos are almost a year old so the setup is a bit different now. I've added a few more plants and they've really filled in.

So why are we showing old ones
looks good anyway.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I noticed at least Vicious uses ligthing for the plants, wont that cause too much heat? I plan on keeping them in a cool area with just the room´s ligth. Thankfully Sanseveira doesant need much ligth. But I would really like to hear Varanio´s opinion. I would really like to get into crested keeping, dont hear me wrong I love my anoles but to tell the truth Im kind of tyerd of so delicate and shy species.

Those compact fluorescent bulbs really don't put off much heat. Actually I have to use a 40 watt ceramic heat emitter in the winter to keep the tank warm enough.

So why are we showing old ones
looks good anyway.

I know, I know. I really need to take an updated shot of the tank. It needs an overhaul. The plants are taking over and I need to add a nest box for the two females.

 

[Otolith]

I have my crested in my bedroom, but since its winter time my house stays at 75 F. I plan on moving him to the basement once it starts getting warmer.

For food, see if your able to get repashy crested gecko diet shipped out to you. Its pretty reasonably priced, an 8 oz. bag has lasted me over 2 months and i'm only 1/3 of a way into it. But, I have one juvenile.

My set-up is pretty realistic, I have vines and various plastic plants set-up. I have eco-earth as a substrate so I don't worry about compaction. But, as long as you feed live food in a separate container I think you would be fine. If your going to have multiple cages set-up a papertowel substrate might be easier for you. Here is a picture of my set-up to give you an idea.

Where did you get that cool little food shelf thing?

 

[Citrinellus]

Where did you get that cool little food shelf thing?

To be honest it was a top to one of my dad's drill bit sets. I soaked and peeled the sticker off. I'll see if I can remember the brand...