heating for cresteds

[Ducksarefun]

I've been avoiding posting what will probably seem like a stupid question, but I can't seem to find the answer I am looking for.

We will be getting some cresteds soon, two actually, and until they grow up a bit they will be kept in a 10g. It was originally a fish tank, so I have the flourescent light fixture that came with it. Right now the temperature is between 65-70 degrees in there with no light on and the aquarium lid.

When we actually have geckos in there, with a screen lid of course, will the strip light (15 watt I think) be enough heat?

What does everyone use to heat your crested tanks?

Thanks!

[CDN-Cresties]

Try turning up the temps in your house, thats what I did.

[ChokeOnSmoke]

That should throw off enough heat. I have a 18" florescent and it heats my 3x2x2 enclosure up about 4 degrees in the day.

[Ducksarefun]

if we could make this apartment any warmer, believe me, we would!

[AnthonyC]

In my breeding racks, I have heat tape running at 80F. For juvies and others, they are kept at approximately 70-75 degrees (night-day temps) and they do just fine. I would think that a typical 18" 15 watt fluorescent bulb would probably heat it enough, but it's not going to create much of a basking spot, which contrary to popular belief, cresties will use. My adults stay practically glued to the hot end of their cage after a meal.

Anyway, they'll do fine either way, but if it were me, I'd use some type of an incandescent bulb in a dome lamp so that the heat is more concentrated.

Warmer temps (within reason) = eating more = faster growth.

[ColleenT]

i use two lights. at night a red light provides just enough heat and i can watch them. during the day, i use a UVA/UVB light. i know most think it to be unnecesary, i think it mimics the natural sunlight and therefore i do use it. i feel that i have put a lot of money into my pets, and i want to give them every opportunity to survive and thrive. it may be unnecessary, but it might actually help. it certainly isn't hurting.

i use screen type lids, so the enclosures stay cool enough.

[AnthonyC]

Colleen,

I think UVB does help Cresteds, but with proper vitamin/mineral supplementation (Miner-All on their crickets and Gargoyle Diet in their baby food), I don't think it's vitally important. On the other hand, if there was a practical way that I could provide full spectrum lighting to all of my geckos, I would do it just because. I've even toyed with the idea of lighting my entire reptile room with full spectrum fluorescent bulbs.

[little_dragon_]

I use full spectrum on all my Crested Tanks. I gives extra vitamins, and keeps all my plants thriving.

[AnthonyC]

Yep, but be careful if you're using a high output UVB bulb and providing a calcium supplement as well. I've heard that too much UVB coupled with heavy calcium supplementation can be trouble. I'm not sure how true that is, or to what extent, but it coming from a sports/fitness nutrition background, it does make sense.

[little_dragon_]

The only time I give my cresties extra calcium is when I dust my crickets...if a lizard is getting too much calcium you can tell by their feces

[Ducksarefun]

what about their feces indicates too much calcium?