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I recently obtained two beautiful cresteds @ a reptile show in Arlington, TX. Have a few questions if anyone's got a moment.

I placed them in a 45 gallon aquarium w/ a screen lid. About a 1/3 of the top is covered w/ a thin layer of plastic, 1/3 by light hood & 1/3 screen to help hold humidity.

A pothos is in one end & a small ficus in the other with driftwood crossing in between. The substrate is peat moss w/ the plants planted directly into the substrate for a naturalistic set-up. I mist the cage 3 times daily with a hand mister. A small bowl of water is always supplied.

Lighting = flourescent reptile bulb (forget the name) & a blacklight.

Crickets are fed every other night, gutloaded/dusted

T-Rex Crested gecko food w/smashed fruit mixed is fed in between cricket nights.

QUESTIONS:

1. Is a blacklight bad for my cresteds? It's very old, & cage temp. stays 78 deg. at almost all times in my apt.

2. Is it necessary to supplement T-Rex crested food w/ fruits & crickets, or is it a sufficient crested food on it's own?

3. Is peat moss an adequate substrate? I noticed it was kinda fluffy at first. After a week of mistings it's packed down somewhat.

4. Each crested (3" in length) stays at either side of the tank at all times. One in the ficus & one in the pothos. Rarely see them together. Could this mean I had 2 males already, or does this just happen w/ young crested's, no mater the sex pairing?

5. Are reptile foggers a good idea for a mister for cresteds? Was thinking about placing one on a timer in the enclosure.

6. How long will an average male/female get?

Any any suggestions/comments are appreciated. Thank you.

~Ben

>>I recently obtained two beautiful cresteds @ a reptile show in Arlington, TX. Have a few questions if anyone's got a moment.
>>
>>I placed them in a 45 gallon aquarium w/ a screen lid. About a 1/3 of the top is covered w/ a thin layer of plastic, 1/3 by light hood & 1/3 screen to help hold humidity.
>>
>>A pothos is in one end & a small ficus in the other with driftwood crossing in between. The substrate is peat moss w/ the plants planted directly into the substrate for a naturalistic set-up. I mist the cage 3 times daily with a hand mister. A small bowl of water is always supplied.
>>
>>Lighting = flourescent reptile bulb (forget the name) & a blacklight.
>>
>>Crickets are fed every other night, gutloaded/dusted
>>
>>T-Rex Crested gecko food w/smashed fruit mixed is fed in between cricket nights.
>>
>>QUESTIONS:
>>
>>1. Is a blacklight bad for my cresteds? It's very old, & cage temp. stays 78 deg. at almost all times in my apt.

Loose the blacklight(the kind that make white glow) it is not good for them. 78 is fine.

>>2. Is it necessary to supplement T-Rex crested food w/ fruits & crickets, or is it a sufficient crested food on it's own?

The T-Rex food can be fed on it's own, I use it baby food and roaches.

>>3. Is peat moss an adequate substrate? I noticed it was kinda fluffy at first. After a week of mistings it's packed down somewhat.

It should be fine, just make sure that they are not eating it. Feed the crickets either in a dish or by hand.

>>4. Each crested (3" in length) stays at either side of the tank at all times. One in the ficus & one in the pothos. Rarely see them together. Could this mean I had 2 males already, or does this just happen w/ young crested's, no mater the sex pairing?

They are not really social animals, they can be housed together but they will pick a spot and that is thier teritory(sp?) It doen't mean you have two males or a pair. I have pairs and they stay at opposite ends of thier cage.

>>5. Are reptile foggers a good idea for a mister for cresteds? Was thinking about placing one on a timer in the enclosure.

You don't need it with the crested. Just mist them.

>>6. How long will an average male/female get?

I belive they get about 8 inches or so. Females larger/males smaller.
>>Any any suggestions/comments are appreciated. Thank you.

Also your tank may be too big for two juvies, it might be better to start them off smaller and move them up when they get bigger.
Good luck
-----
Anna

1.0.0 Ball Python {Shane}
1.0.0 Afican Bullfrog {Bungy}
2.2.8 Crested Geckos {Mel, Harley, Sally, Momma, unnamed}
0.0.1 Giant Black African Millipede {Milly}
2.0.0 Parakeets {Storm, Cloud}
2.0.2 Button Quails {Bob, unnamed}
1.0.0 Short Tail Possum {Eddie}
3.0.0 Pet Rats {Carlos, Ibin, Meany}
1.1.0 Dogs Lab/Pionter mix,German Shepherd {Vegas,Nevada}
2.1.0 Kitties {Kenny, Sebation, Phoebe}
1.0.0 Betta {George}
1.0.0 Boyfriend {Brian}
1 fish tanks with lots of fish
2 Crested Gecko eggs layed 5/18
And the bugs

Thats it for now.....

QUESTIONS:
XXX I will assume the light is protected from your cresteds being able to get on them? Otherwise theres a likelyhood that eventually they will get burned. Also that the top has no spaces crested look for small areas to squeeze into.

1. Is a blacklight bad for my cresteds? It's very old, & cage temp. stays 78 deg. at almost all times in my apt.

xxx There is a difference between a reptile blacklight and those ones sold at party stores .The party store ones I am told can cause blindness .Also is it high enough wattage to be causing 78 degree temps? If so you should replace it with a very low wattage bulb. I use 20 watt reds and veiw them fine.

2. Is it necessary to supplement T-Rex crested food w/ fruits & crickets, or is it a sufficient crested food on it's own?

xxxNo it isnt necesarry generations of cresteds live on the diet alone. I myself enjoy watching the cresteds chase the crickets way to much to not feed them .

3. Is peat moss an adequate substrate? I noticed it was kinda fluffy at first. After a week of mistings it's packed down somewhat.

xxx I can only answer what I read..I use paper towels as theres a choking risk with other substrates. I do use moss in my nesting boxes which I keep the crikets out of.

4. Each crested (3" in length) stays at either side of the tank at all times. One in the ficus & one in the pothos. Rarely see them together. Could this mean I had 2 males already, or does this just happen w/ young crested's, no mater the sex pairing?

xxx They have no need for each others company until they reach breeding age.Even then I rarely see my cresteds ''hanging together'' Although I do have a couple who do seem to prefer each other to be near.

5. Are reptile foggers a good idea for a mister for cresteds? Was thinking about placing one on a timer in the enclosure.

xxxxThe ones ive seen drown the cage ,Not needed at all I use screen cages ,mist twice a day and am very happy with the results. I do keep a nest box with very moist substrate in all cages and on occasion they seem to like to ''bathe'' in the humidity

Thanks for the advice. I try to post some pics soon.
~Ben