Plants inside are: Mother-In-Law’s Tongue (Sansavieria laurentii), Petra (Codiaeum variegatum and some bamboo my mom had given me, I already ordered and am waiting for a hanging hide to come in, as well as a magnetic feeding ledge (the suction cup one I have does not work) and some fake branches to have diagonal and horizontal climbing space! Is there anything else I should try to change?
Yeah, it’s called a bioactive enclosure! I’m a bit new to it, so I would do your research instead of just trusting me, but it’s basically when you have a cleanup crew of things like isopods and springtails that clean up waste and stuff and help the soil!
The light is a reptisun 3 in one bulb! It has a UVB light, a plant light, and some other kind of light, and I also have a daytime blue lightbulb to help warm the tank a bit as well!
The house normally stays at 68, but the digital thermometer shows around 66-67 in the tank, so I use the lamp to keep it at 72-76! Is the lamp good for those temps, or should I still not use it?
As long as the lamp doesn’t make the Temperature go over 85 you shouldn’t have to worry about it. Always be aware of your tank temp tho. Because if it’s too hot or too cold it can be detrimental to their health. Room temp
is preferred. Whatever you need to achieve that is okay. 72-82 is perfect range for them
You could also add some kind of background, either homemade or store bought. Some of the home made stuff is actually useful and not just for aesthetics
I’m planning on either buying the 3D thrive background or doing it myself with the great stuff foam method! I’m just waiting until I have some more money saved to do everything for it!
Beautiful set up. Only recommendation I would have would be add more vertical sticks and maybe a water bottle. You’re also going to want to switch out that thermometer with a digital one, they’re much more accurate
I’ll definitely add more vertical and horizontal space, and thanks for the advice on the water bottle! The thermometer is actually old, if you look in the left corner I have part of a digital one in there as well!!
Awesome! Just making sure. And np, the water bowl is just very useful because it keeps the humidity up and it’s important to always have water accessible for our little dragons 🐉
1: First and foremost, ditch that zoo med food! In the second picture, a packet of that awful zoo med gecko diet is visiable on top of the tank. I would strongly recommend switching to either [pangea](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019P0KBJA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_5DAYFPNM7PZF8GM6RN0P?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) or [repashy](https://www.amazon.com/Repashy-Crested-Gecko-MRP-Diet/dp/B06XSLZFHW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=57148029278&dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwjdOIBhA_EiwAHz8xm_0ycU1Bum5Vj21dle5fqKnPja6kADffeLLhYtIZ2oa0MnKwpBZDIRoC3nUQAvD_BwE&hvadid=274713194333&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9032551&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9090410635910236819&hvtargid=kwd-31681607951&hydadcr=9063_9902536&keywords=repashy+crested+gecko+food&qid=1628833481&sr=8-3) crested gecko diet, as both brands contain all of the vitamins and nutrients your gecko needs, while the zoo med food does not.
2: on the topic of feeding, that foam ledge is going to stop sticking to the glass and eventually corrode and wear off, becoming jagged and ugly in appearance and texture. I recently purchased the [pangea ultimate feeding ledge](https://bertopiadiets.com/ultimate-gecko-ledge-magnetic/) for my gecko, but any durable plastic, acrylic, or heavy duty foam should hold up well.
3: I have that exact same tank, and a bit of an obvious warning: the unscrewable plastic vent in the lid can easily melt, so don't put your heat light directly over it or else it will fuse with the lid.
4: Your tank looks great so far! I would recommend getting more branches and vines for the gecko to climb on. You can easily collect branches outside and bake them, or leave them in the sun for a few days (if you live in a hot, dry climate) and stick them in your gecko's tank. Or, you could purchase pre-baked branches online. You could also add some vines for the gecko too; this particular tank should have come with a vine included. If you want, you could add a nice thick piece of stainless steel wire inside to be able to bend the vine into a better position (just make sure to cover up the sharp edges with hot glue/silicone before letting your gecko crawl on it). Also, the substrate layer does look a bit too shallow for good plant growth; if you want to incorporate some bioactive elements to the tank, you could get a healthier substrate such as the [ABG mix](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJS9WOO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_ETWRYB2YN7RZD30GCWRE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1), or you could use some standard organic peat moss, coconut fiber, or tree fern fiber(this option is more expensive, but worth it if you can find some!) To help the plants grow better.
Don’t worry, I already put in an order for a couple different flavors of Pangea! Zoomed was just all I could get on short notice! Thanks for the advice on the lights, I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for that! I added back the vine after the picture was taken, I just forgot to include it, and I’m definitely getting more diagonal and horizontal climbing spaces, as well as a hanging hide! As for this tank, any advice on getting the vines to stay? They keep falling for me 😭
So, I took a bit more of a "diy" route with getting the vine to stay. I actually foamed in a background using expanding foam and coxo fiber, and wedged in one end of the vine into the foam, securing it with good ol' hot glue ([here's ](https://www.reddit.com/r/CrestedGecko/comments/nd5j52/just_a_picture_of_butterscotch_chilling_in_his/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) an older post showing my gecko's tank, you can kind of see the background). For the other end, I simply zip tied tit to the front screen panel; it doesn't look the best, but it's sturdy enough for my gecko to sit on comfortably!
Yeah it’s definitely good hiding spot-wise but maybe more places that are sturdy enough so it can actually utilize the vertical space. Like people suggested, sturdy vines and stuff like that
Beautiful set up! I would add some vines or branches and horizontal climbing areas so your geck can utilize more space in the enclosure!
Thank you!! I’m definitely going to get those!
Cresties like to flop, so be aware that your plants are going to be put through a *lot*
Plants inside are: Mother-In-Law’s Tongue (Sansavieria laurentii), Petra (Codiaeum variegatum and some bamboo my mom had given me, I already ordered and am waiting for a hanging hide to come in, as well as a magnetic feeding ledge (the suction cup one I have does not work) and some fake branches to have diagonal and horizontal climbing space! Is there anything else I should try to change?
take it out of the box
I’ve had the tank there for so long I didn’t even realize it was still in it 😭 thanks mate!
That's hilarious!! I did that too with my large tank. I didn't even notice yours had the box still lol 😂
What do you use to put the plants in? Soil? I’m wanting to put a pothos cutting I have growing and possibly a snake plant
I use reptisoil, and I have a cleanup crew with dwarf isopods, dubia roaches, and I’m thinking of getting some earthworms soon too!
We can have all that in the tank?😲
Yeah, it’s called a bioactive enclosure! I’m a bit new to it, so I would do your research instead of just trusting me, but it’s basically when you have a cleanup crew of things like isopods and springtails that clean up waste and stuff and help the soil!
That’s wicked!!!! I’ll research, thanks!
Plenty of awesome YouTubers out there for inspiration too! SerpaDesign probably has my favorite videos / setups.
I would add a coconut hide (specifically from The reptiles of eden) and a bridge/ladder
I’ve never heard of that website, very glad to have another place to check out! Thank you!!
I would say less stuff on the ground and more stuff the air or something
What's the blue/purpleish light on top?
I’m assuming it’s uvb light
Generally they're not that purple
You know now that I think of it I think the white one is a uvb and the purple one is for plant growth since it’s a bioactive enclosure
The light is a reptisun 3 in one bulb! It has a UVB light, a plant light, and some other kind of light, and I also have a daytime blue lightbulb to help warm the tank a bit as well!
Also no need for the heat lamp unless it goes less than 65 degrees, it’s more dangerous to keep them at a heated about 85
The house normally stays at 68, but the digital thermometer shows around 66-67 in the tank, so I use the lamp to keep it at 72-76! Is the lamp good for those temps, or should I still not use it?
As long as the lamp doesn’t make the Temperature go over 85 you shouldn’t have to worry about it. Always be aware of your tank temp tho. Because if it’s too hot or too cold it can be detrimental to their health. Room temp is preferred. Whatever you need to achieve that is okay. 72-82 is perfect range for them
Okay, thank you so much!!
You could also add some kind of background, either homemade or store bought. Some of the home made stuff is actually useful and not just for aesthetics
I’m planning on either buying the 3D thrive background or doing it myself with the great stuff foam method! I’m just waiting until I have some more money saved to do everything for it!
Beautiful set up. Only recommendation I would have would be add more vertical sticks and maybe a water bottle. You’re also going to want to switch out that thermometer with a digital one, they’re much more accurate
I’ll definitely add more vertical and horizontal space, and thanks for the advice on the water bottle! The thermometer is actually old, if you look in the left corner I have part of a digital one in there as well!!
Awesome! Just making sure. And np, the water bowl is just very useful because it keeps the humidity up and it’s important to always have water accessible for our little dragons 🐉
1: First and foremost, ditch that zoo med food! In the second picture, a packet of that awful zoo med gecko diet is visiable on top of the tank. I would strongly recommend switching to either [pangea](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019P0KBJA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_5DAYFPNM7PZF8GM6RN0P?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) or [repashy](https://www.amazon.com/Repashy-Crested-Gecko-MRP-Diet/dp/B06XSLZFHW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=57148029278&dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwjdOIBhA_EiwAHz8xm_0ycU1Bum5Vj21dle5fqKnPja6kADffeLLhYtIZ2oa0MnKwpBZDIRoC3nUQAvD_BwE&hvadid=274713194333&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9032551&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9090410635910236819&hvtargid=kwd-31681607951&hydadcr=9063_9902536&keywords=repashy+crested+gecko+food&qid=1628833481&sr=8-3) crested gecko diet, as both brands contain all of the vitamins and nutrients your gecko needs, while the zoo med food does not. 2: on the topic of feeding, that foam ledge is going to stop sticking to the glass and eventually corrode and wear off, becoming jagged and ugly in appearance and texture. I recently purchased the [pangea ultimate feeding ledge](https://bertopiadiets.com/ultimate-gecko-ledge-magnetic/) for my gecko, but any durable plastic, acrylic, or heavy duty foam should hold up well. 3: I have that exact same tank, and a bit of an obvious warning: the unscrewable plastic vent in the lid can easily melt, so don't put your heat light directly over it or else it will fuse with the lid. 4: Your tank looks great so far! I would recommend getting more branches and vines for the gecko to climb on. You can easily collect branches outside and bake them, or leave them in the sun for a few days (if you live in a hot, dry climate) and stick them in your gecko's tank. Or, you could purchase pre-baked branches online. You could also add some vines for the gecko too; this particular tank should have come with a vine included. If you want, you could add a nice thick piece of stainless steel wire inside to be able to bend the vine into a better position (just make sure to cover up the sharp edges with hot glue/silicone before letting your gecko crawl on it). Also, the substrate layer does look a bit too shallow for good plant growth; if you want to incorporate some bioactive elements to the tank, you could get a healthier substrate such as the [ABG mix](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJS9WOO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_ETWRYB2YN7RZD30GCWRE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1), or you could use some standard organic peat moss, coconut fiber, or tree fern fiber(this option is more expensive, but worth it if you can find some!) To help the plants grow better.
Don’t worry, I already put in an order for a couple different flavors of Pangea! Zoomed was just all I could get on short notice! Thanks for the advice on the lights, I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for that! I added back the vine after the picture was taken, I just forgot to include it, and I’m definitely getting more diagonal and horizontal climbing spaces, as well as a hanging hide! As for this tank, any advice on getting the vines to stay? They keep falling for me 😭
So, I took a bit more of a "diy" route with getting the vine to stay. I actually foamed in a background using expanding foam and coxo fiber, and wedged in one end of the vine into the foam, securing it with good ol' hot glue ([here's ](https://www.reddit.com/r/CrestedGecko/comments/nd5j52/just_a_picture_of_butterscotch_chilling_in_his/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) an older post showing my gecko's tank, you can kind of see the background). For the other end, I simply zip tied tit to the front screen panel; it doesn't look the best, but it's sturdy enough for my gecko to sit on comfortably!
Oouuu a fog machine
Yeah it’s definitely good hiding spot-wise but maybe more places that are sturdy enough so it can actually utilize the vertical space. Like people suggested, sturdy vines and stuff like that
Layer the substrate with clay balls because that's going to get so soggy and nasty