Exo terra Waterfall/Fogger

[NightLad]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering; do any of you use the Exo Terra Waterfall? (http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/waterfall.php)

My sister really wants to get a Crested Gecko and is highly attracted to the waterfall as an accessory to the enclosure, both for aesthetics as well as functionality by providing more humidity.

I’ve tried to find some reviews about this product, but most of what I’ve found just mentions its specifications. I have read that crickets can become clogged in the water pump device, but that aspect is not enough to deter her from buying a unit.

My primary question is; how often do you have to change the water? Is the system easy to remove to clean/refill?

If any of you have the fogger accessory for the waterfall, I’d love to hear your opinions on that to. Since the Crestie requires about 80% humidity I was thinking it might be a good investment.

Thanks!

[mlededee]

i used the medium sized waterfall in a red eyed tree frog set up a few years ago and it looked really nice and the frogs liked it but since their water has to be changed every day i finally ditched it for something easier and faster to clean.

as long as the crested doesn't defecate in it (they don't normally defecate in water like some animals, but i'm sure it will happen from time to time) it can probably go about a 2 weeks between cleanings. if crickets or other insects get into it it will probably need to be cleaned more like once per week or more if it gets funky (dead insects make water nasty quickly). that said, i never had a problem with crickets getting stuck in the waterfall when i used it--i would see them go to the edge of the water to drink but it is not too deep and the waterfall is textured so they can climb it if they do get in the water.

if your humidity is low it will probably need to be filled/topped off every week or so as they don't hold a lot of water. the pump gets really noisy when the water starts to get low and it will burn up if it doesn't have enough water to pump through.

the biggest concern is making sure that the gecko cannot fit into the cracks and openings in the water fall and get into the electronics/pump area. a hatchling or juvie definitely could have fit into the openings in the waterfall that i used, so your sister will need to judge that by what size crested she gets and what size waterfall she wants to use.

[PythonWallace]

I've never used the waterfalls because they have to be cleaned so often and I like to keep things simple. I've used the foggers and they work nicely, but the area directly above the ultrasonic atomizer gets really hot. The fog itself isn't hot, but if you put your finger really close to the disc it will burn you. I had mine on a timer to go on for 15 minutes at a time, 3 times a day, and I used a screen drain net to cover it for the snake's protection.

[Colin Vestrand]

from what i know of them they are great as long as you use RO purified water.

[NightLad]

Thanks for the replies everybody, each one was really appreciated. Sorry for not getting back sooner.

I was lucky enough to find a breeder of cresties in my city, just a few subways stops away. With any luck I'll have the setup and lizard before Christmas. That may be pushing it, but I believe in aiming for the top. hehe.

Thanks again for your input. I've decided to go ahead and get the waterfall, and a timer so I can have it go off for 15-20min per hour - not run constantly.

mlededee;
I hear you about making sure the gecko can't get inside the unit. I'll use aquarium silicone to seal any overly large openings with rocks to make sure that can't happen. However, I plan to get a 6-8m/o so I can be sure it will be male... and hopefully too big to fit into any cracks! hehe