New crestie owner, questions.

[Sita]

If you put live plants in the enclosure, don't you need to keep a lamp/have UVB in there for the photo period? Even if a room has windows, is it really enough ambient light? What if its north facing? Doesn't get any direct sunlight? Has another house or tree or obstruction in the way?

There are tons of houseplants that don't need direct sunlight to thrive. Most types of philodendron and hosta are two I can think of off the top of my head, mostly because I have them, My philo lived 3 years a few feet away from a north facing window and did just fine.

[mhinkle]

I'm Going to buy a small UVB light and cut it on for 2 hours a day, also a "critter light" which is a very small 10 watt light that I can mount to the Inside of the tank. Still waiting on ideas for what kind of plants are best.

[Evenstar]

I wasn't saying you guys were being rude. Just some comments were repetitive.

I plan on getting him one of the tall tanks with the opening doors on the front once he gets a little older and larger. He has gained a noticeable bit of weight since I bought him, but I'm going on the assumption they weren't feeding him correctly.

As for now I keep the tank somewhat open so he can feed on crickets more easily.

Curious as to what are the best plants I can use for such a small enclosure?

I'm Going to buy a small UVB light and cut it on for 2 hours a day, also a "critter light" which is a very small 10 watt light that I can mount to the Inside of the tank. Still waiting on ideas for what kind of plants are best.

I like pothos a lot - it'll grow in almost anything. Brumelaides are good sturdy choices and hosta are also nice.

Some of the answers I've given you are repetitive because you continue to dwell on a couple of points - the crickets and the lamp. Why would you keep the enclosure open for easier hunting of crickets if you shouldn't be feeding crickets right now? Your baby need CGD only for now. And he needs to feel more secure. And why are you going to continue to put a light over, or in, the cage when you've been told repeatedly that a light is not necessary (and is even detrimental to the humidity - which is more important)?? None of the plants I or Sita mentioned need UVB and therefore a light is in no way necessary at all. I absolutely do NOT intend to sound rude, but if you think you're frustrated that you're getting repetitive answers, it's just as frustrating for someone who's trying to help you to continue to repeat those same answers. My apologies - sincerely.

Sorry to hijack the thread. Just want ask a quick question. If you put live plants in the enclosure, don't you need to keep a lamp/have UVB in there for the photo period? Even if a room has windows, is it really enough ambient light? What if its north facing? Doesn't get any direct sunlight? Has another house or tree or obstruction in the way? Lol

There are tons of houseplants that don't need direct sunlight to thrive. Most types of philodendron and hosta are two I can think of off the top of my head, mostly because I have them, My philo lived 3 years a few feet away from a north facing window and did just fine.

Many plants do not actually need UVB light. Sita mentioned a couple and pothos vines are another great example. You can stick pothos bare root on eco earth or coco fiber and it'll grow. A little water is all it needs, but it'll grow in wet environments too - and will stand up to crushing so it's a good choice for arboreal snakes as well.

[mhinkle]

I get what you're saying.

I've read many places stating that a small UVB light for a hour or two a day can help healthy growth in crested geckos, epically babies that are not eating well.

I have never seen him eat the cgd directly from his dish. I have hidden it in his favorite spot behind his fake vines. I offer him a few small dusted crickets weekly gutloaded with various fruits and gutloading formula. He shows a lot of interest in them when they are in a bag beside his tank but I've only seen him eat a few in his tank. Since I have changed from the Eco earth to the paper towels he spends most of his time hiding underneath the paper towels.. I get him out and take small amounts of cgd an smear it on his nose daily to make sure he's feeding.

I insist on having a light because he is the highest tank in the room an does not get any light except the rooms light being turned on an off all day. I would rather put a 15 or smaller watt bulb on a 12/12 timer.

I will check out those plants. Is there somewhere specific to get them? I'm not much of a green thumb kind of guy so I know absolutely nothing about anything plant like.

Thanks for all the help so far, sorry if I came off ignorantly.

[mhinkle]

[Evenstar]

I get what you're saying. I'm glad - I really was not trying to be rude.

I've read many places stating that a small UVB light for a hour or two a day can help healthy growth in crested geckos, epically babies that are not eating well.

I have never seen him eat the cgd directly from his dish. I have hidden it in his favorite spot behind his fake vines. I offer him a few small dusted crickets weekly gutloaded with various fruits and gutloading formula. He shows a lot of interest in them when they are in a bag beside his tank but I've only seen him eat a few in his tank. Since I have changed from the Eco earth to the paper towels he spends most of his time hiding underneath the paper towels.. I get him out and take small amounts of cgd an smear it on his nose daily to make sure he's feeding.

I insist on having a light because he is the highest tank in the room an does not get any light except the rooms light being turned on an off all day. I would rather put a 15 or smaller watt bulb on a 12/12 timer.

Ok, that explains a lot. Thank you for clarifying.

I will check out those plants. Is there somewhere specific to get them? I'm not much of a green thumb kind of guy so I know absolutely nothing about anything plant like. Most greenhouses will have pothos. It is very common and not hard to get at all. They should be able to order some in for you if they don't have any in stock. It is available nearly any time of the year as you can take cuttings off the original plant and sprout it in a vase of water. As I said, lol, it's easy to grow! As spring moves along, you should have no trouble finding brumelaides or hostas either. All are very common.

Thanks for all the help so far, sorry if I came off ignorantly. You didn't. I was just getting concerned that everything was ok. Thanks again for explaining more!

Your pictures ^^ are very cute! He looks really great and should have some nice creamy partial pinning as he grows older.

[mhinkle]

So left the light off all day yesterday. Heavily misted the tank around 8 am, that rose the humidity to around 90. Slowly made its way to 60 by 2 pm, and then by 4 it was around 40. Almost the exact same as with the light.. Maybe half a hour slower.

Looking into some plants today.

[AKA Reptiles]

From everything that I read online about crestie care it said most in the am and again in the pm cause they need a dry period in the middle also. If the lights aren't causing them to dry out then I don't see any harm in leaving them be.

[Evenstar]

So left the light off all day yesterday. Heavily misted the tank around 8 am, that rose the humidity to around 90. Slowly made its way to 60 by 2 pm, and then by 4 it was around 40. Almost the exact same as with the light.. Maybe half a hour slower.

Looking into some plants today.

Sounds pretty good.