anyone order geckos from LLLReptile? - Page 2

alan · 08-17-03, 04:33 PM

There should be hotter areas in your house, I moved my cresties into the family room because my room got too hot during summer.
If you are going to use a light bulb, monitor the temp closely in the first few days. If it gets too hot, simply move the light source further away from the tank.

ColleenT · 08-17-03, 04:45 PM

well, i guess they have to stay in the room they are in, and the house is mostly open, so there is no way to close a door and keep the room warm or cool. at least downstairs. the upstairs we have no room for that tank.

but i like the light idea. i could raise it up on wood blocks wrapped in aluminum foil. that way i probably would not catch the wood on fire?

HeatherRose · 08-17-03, 07:02 PM

sorry if I came off harsh, someone in a petstore told me it didn't matter what colour/wattage I used, and I almost fried my crestie

But I got several second opinions.

I have a big reptisun 5.0 uvb light, and it's not HOT but it keeps the humidity up...I mist really often, whenever I think of it..., my humidity's fine

Hope it goes well...

ColleenT · 08-18-03, 03:43 PM

Heather, please don't think i was offended or anything.. i need to know what is correct. i actually bought a Repti-light? i forget the name the 5.0 version. they had 2.0 and 8.o also. do you think that light alone would keep the tank warm enough (over 70 but under 80?) I got some more reptivines from Flukers. i really like them. they can hang on the back wall of the tank. I also got a night time moon light at 15 watts. i can put the light on a timer for day and night. Oh, man, i am so excited. Cannot wait to see my babies. :rsmile:

HeatherRose · 08-18-03, 07:55 PM

The lights not for warmth, it's for rays.....ubv rays.

74-76 is good for your cresties...if it drops below that just a bit, that's fine.......but over 78-80 is pushing it. They're not like leos :|

ColleenT · 08-19-03, 06:14 AM

i realize the light is not made to supply heat, but will it give off some heat anyway? just a little? i know they say that Crested do not need UVA/UVB but i thought i would get it b/c it probably won't hurt, and it may help a little. and it was on sale. i just have no idea how to make sure they are in the right temp range. that is why i keep asking these questions. i KNOW they need to be at 70-80, But i am having a hard time figuring out how to keep them at that temp, since the house gets pretty cold in the winter. i guess i'll have to keep testing the temps until i figure something out. Thanks.

DragnDrop · 08-19-03, 08:54 AM

Cresties are comfy at the same temperature range as humans. If your house is warm enough for you, they'll be okay. In summer it would be a bit warmer, and the cooler temps in winter give them a somewhat natural cycle, all to their benefit. I don't use any extra heat on any of my Rhacodactylus geckos and they're doing just great.

Don't try to keep the humidity at 60%+ day and night. Mist them 2 or 3 times a day, and let the tank dry out somewhat. If you keep the humidity up too high all the time, you risk growing fungus and mold. Before long you have a rotting tank and sick or dying geckos. They need to have some fluctuation in humidity during the day, but an average of 50 - 70% is okay for the high. If you notice a musty smell similar to a damp basement, you're overdoing it. If you're worried that it might not be humid enough, provide a floor area with a humid hide spot - maybe some bark they can hide under, resting on slightly moist peat or moss. If they need more humidity for shedding, they'll find that hiding spot. The rest of the time, hanging in the plants will be sufficient.

You'll love the cresties, they're addicting.

ColleenT · 08-19-03, 11:07 AM

Thank you so much, i was starting to panic. thanks for the tips on humidity. i just don't want to harm the little guys b/c they are just TOO cute:zi:

I picked up some plants today and replanted in organic soil with no vermiculite or perlite. i hope they grow well. is thursday ever gonna get here?

little_dragon_ · 08-19-03, 01:11 PM

If you want a good Light for your Crestie Cage and the plants. Go to Canadian Tire and buy a Glow and Gro Plant Light by GE. It's 25 inches long, and will last 3-5 years on normal usage. My plants have been growing well with the light for 4 weeks. It Costs 19.99. I gutted an old incadescent light Canopy for a 25 Gallon and Screwed the Strip light to it.

ColleenT · 08-19-03, 02:14 PM

Little Dragon, LOL! it would take me a long time to get there. i live in the USA. we don't have that store.

I got a good light i think it is called a repti-grow? it is a 5.0. gives UVA and UVB, so the plants should do ok on it.

alan · 08-19-03, 03:27 PM

Your cresties don't need UVB lights but they will benefit from it. I myself use a very simple cage set up with no lights and paper substrate. Most of the plants need UVB light but I still have one live plant on each of the enclosure (Pothos) that will thrive with minimal UVB lights. However, I would like to look to get more different type of plants that will survive with little UVB and put them in instead of the silk plants I use right now.

stretch · 08-19-03, 10:02 PM

I just recieved my albino leo today from lll reptile. It was in very good shape especially since it was on the truck longer than it was suppose too. When I opened the package it was very alert and had good size for its age. There was nothing I could find wrong with it that I could see with the naked eye.

ColleenT · 08-20-03, 11:15 AM

i am so glad to hear it. i get mine tomorrow, and i pray the truck gets here early, but knowing the local deivery people, it will be the last delivery of the day. i just hope they are going to be ok. the heat is not good for the Crested geckos, so that is what i am afraid of. (hot delivery truck)

stretch · 08-20-03, 02:22 PM

Mine was supposed to arrive here at ten in the morning, but an accident left it on there till 4:30 pm. They had it packed with cool packs though. They said they do it like that just in case of those kinds of delays. They had him packed really good so nothing would happen to the gecko. The gecko popped his head out of the paper bag so alertly it was like he was only there for a few minutes. Thats a nice place to deal with. I ordered supplies from there before and had a positive experience with them too.

ColleenT · 08-20-03, 02:46 PM

good to know they are reputable, but you're in in Cali. so i think you'll have better luck.

i am all the way on the east coast. i just worry about such a long trip, but it is supposed to come UPS RED,(whatever that is.) i am too excited. i just finished my tank setup. lots of Repti-vines for climbing. fake pothos and some other type of purple/green leaves, plus my two live pothos and my parlor palm. i actually gave them so many hiding places i am afraid i'll never find them!( j/k).... but this way they won't feel stressed. the Repti-vines by Flukers have tiny suction cups/hooks with them. this way you can run a vine across the tank if you want. i also picked up a couple more suction cup /hooks at Target. very usefull, but we shall see if they hold up.