Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Kay, the guy at the pet store suggested that I can use an existing 10-gallon (left over from my rosy moving into a 20-long) for a crested and just turn it on end to get more height. I have a screen top that clips on, and I can add a plexi-glass ridge to keep substrate in. So:

Would this set-up work for one crested? I have no plans to add any others.

What substrate works the best? The tanks I've seen look like they use bed-a-beast or something similar.

How do you attach vines and such to give them more foliage? I don't want live plants as I can't keep them alive in a pot let alone in a gecko tank!

What do you use for food/water bowls?

And, what about lighting? I was told that UV-B would be beneficial, but am not sure how to do that. None of my other herps have lighting requirements. What is the best brand/type for these guys? Will the light make it get too warm in the tank? My 10-gallon currently has a 5 gallon UTH on it, and I have a long light hood (think fish tank type) that came with the AFT I adopted (it is currently in the closet, not being used, it just had a flourescent lightbulb in it).

Any other tips? I'd like to get set-up and figure out how best to keep the humidity up before I get the lizard. Oh yeah, what do you use to moinitor heat and humidity?

Thanks-
Kati

hey.

i think a 10 gallon tall set up should be fine for one. some people may dissagree and they probably know more than me so you may want to listen to them, but as far as i know for one, thatll be fine.

for substrate bed a beast or orchid bark are both fine i think. some moss in the cage helps too so i hear. for humidity purposes.

as for food and water dishes. the only dish i use is for the baby food i feed them. they get their water from the misting i give their cage every day, usually twice a day. the water collects on leaves and things for them to drink. thats what helps keep the humidity up too. they dont like it super humid though.

i just throw in crickets into the cage at night, when theyre out and they hunt them down pretty well. some people i think take them out to feed too, to make sure the crickets dont get away.

as for branches and plants. you can buy fake vines at pet stores that attach with suction cups and stuff. as well as corkbark and reptile vines for them to climb on. theyre pretty easy to set up.

as for uvb, they dont NEED it, but it wouldnt hurt them. ecpecially if you have a floursecent fixture already, just get a reptisun 2.0 or 5.0 or somehting and it should be ok i think. i dont use any so dont quote me on that one.

you can mesure temps with thermometers and hydrometers for humidity. you can get them alot of places including pet stores. you can also use temp guns but i dont know anything about them.
i forget what else u asked haha.

eric