Crested Gecko is a favourite pet reptile and they are pretty easy to manage. Like other reptiles, the crested gecko is a nocturnal creature and they become active at the night time. They are not dependent upon any natural or artificial lighting as they can manage the activities without any light.
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Does crested gecko need lighting?
Crested gecko needs UVB lighting as it is helpful in digestion of their food. They mostly eat an insect that is dusted with calcium and vitamin d3. These minerals will not be assimilated in their body until they get some amount of UVB light.
Also if you provide them with a powder diet, they need to consume a certain amount of calcium and vitamin d3 which are needed to make them strong by bone. The UVB light will allow their system to use the calcium.
Which lights are suitable for crested gecko?
LED lights are mostly used by the pet owners in the terrarium of the crested gecko. There are various colour options like white, blue or moonlight ones. To maintain the night and day cycle for the geckos, you can keep a light timer which will put the light on or switch if off accordingly. At the night cycle, you can use the moonlight lamp.
Bright UVB light makes the terrarium a clear place and due to that light, there is less chance of breeding bacteria or microorganisms inside the terrarium.
Top 5 Crested Gecko Lighting
Now we will suggest a few lights that can be fixed in the terrarium of the crested gecko to help it live a healthy and long life.
1. Fluker’s Reptile Incandescent Daylight Bulb
This bulb offers heat along with light so you can get two kinds of benefits from the same product. Incandescent bulbs are nice addition the terrarium of the crested gecko as after using this; you should not have to be bothered about the heat source. If you stay in a cold region, then you can add some other heat source to keep the cage warm even at nighttime, when the light will be switched off.
These bulbs come in various wattages. So you can pick your choice and use the right bulb to keep the small, medium or large-sized terrarium lighted and warm. This bulb should be fitted over the basking area where the gecko can relax. You must keep a hiding place where the gecko can stay when the cage feels too hot.
This blue coloured bulb will offer ample heat and light to the cold-blooded pet of yours. Do not use this lamp with a regular fixture as the lamp will be extra heated and can cause a blast. The clear blue light of the lamp makes the terrarium a better-looking place.
This is a nice pocket-friendly product and most of the users are pretty happy using this lamp for their gecko’s terrarium. This bulb emits ample heat and light for a 10-gallon tank and if you get a dome fixture for this light, it will evenly heat up the whole area.
Pros:
- Pocket-friendly price
- Long-lasting bulb
- Emits ample light and heat
Cons:
- Some users received defective pieces
2. Zoo Med Day-Night Reptile Bulbs
This is another 60-watt bulb option for the gecko’s terrarium. This one costs a little bit more than the previous product but it had made more users happy with its service. The pack comes with two bulbs so you can use them for a long period.
One is for the daytime and the other is good to be used at night. The bulb is made with true red glass that remains undamaged even after continuous heating of 24 hours. The blue bulb can be used in the daytime and gives out naturalistic light which imitates the daylight.
The brand is popular among the pet owners and thus you can trust them for offering good quality product only. Users are pretty happy using both the bulbs as they find it functional even after a year. The heating that is provided by the red bulb is good, but it does not come with any shade to provide a good amount of heat. If you think that can make the terrarium too hot, then fix the bulb in a shade to decrease its power.
The lighting is proper and it helps the terrarium to stay lighted from inside. This combo pack of day and night bulb is much helpful as you can switch the heat bulb on or off according to the need of the gecko. Also at daytime, the natural lighting can be provided by this blue bulb, if you cannot keep the terrarium in naturally lit position.
Pros:
- Great combination of heat and light
- Trustworthy brand
- Pocket-friendly price
- Works well for the gecko terrarium
Cons:
- Not very long-lasting
3. Exo Terra Repti-Glo 2.0 Compact Fluorescent Full Spectrum Terrarium Lamp
This is a lighting option with less power so you can use it when you are worried about using too much electricity. This bulb is not a new innovation but it was earlier known as Repti Glow 2.0. This brand is also pretty popular among pet owners and thousands of the reptile owners have loved and praised their pet supplies. The light output of this bulb is of high visual and also it offers a high colour rendering index. This creates the spectrum of the light in the terrarium.
Along with taking care of the reptile, it also initiates the terrarium plant’s growth. The light that emits from this bulb offers good warmth and makes the crested gecko an energetic creature. The energy of the gecko depends much upon the external temperature as they are cold-blooded creatures. This bulb will successfully make them playful and active by providing the right amount of heat and light.
This is a good source of light and heat but this bulb does not emit any UVB ray. So if you are searching for a light that will cover up light, heat and UVVB all three purposes, then you need to look elsewhere. Or you can keep this bulb inside the terrarium and keep another separate source of UVB rays in the terrarium. The natural light that it emits is really soothing and it offers some amount of heat which is good for the gecko when you are living a warm or semi-warm zone.
Pros:
- Nice natural light
- Emits adequate heat
Cons:
- No UVB rays
4. Exo Terra PT2336 Day/Night LED Fixture, Large
This is somehow different than all other options on our list. There are 24 LED lights stuck at a panel and you can fix this panel at the basking area of the terrarium. It is an interesting lighting option for the crested gecko as it will not burn the gecko with a single power source but will provide ample light and heat through these small LED bulbs. The light set allows dropping the temperature at the night time to keep the day-night cycle intact.
There is no facility for UVB radiation, so you can arrange some UVB radiation source if you think this is necessary for your crested gecko. This is not a cost-effective solution for the heat and light source as it costs a bit more than the usual bulbs available for the terrarium. But the look that it offers compensate for that.
This panel needs to be fixed at the back of the terrarium. It works on a motion sensor and that means it will sense the movement of the gecko and will automatically reduce the light deciding upon the night and day cycle.
There are options to choose from the large and small-sized panel, so if you own a small terrarium, get the small one. Mounting this panel can be a problem for some users but it will be easy if you follow the directions given on the internet.
Pros:
- Aesthetically beautiful
- Not harsh light but ample coverage
- Motion-sensor initiated
Cons:
- High priced
- Mounting problem
5. Zoo Med Mini Tropical UVB Lighting Combo
This fluorescent lighting combo from the reputed brand offers a solution to the pet owners who have small or medium-sized terrarium. The mini deep dome fixture can make the Reptisun 13 watt UVB light quite useful. This product offers ample heat and UVB ray to keep the gecko happy and healthy in its corner. The light output is not much as per the users, so if you find the terrarium not well lighted even after fixing it, then use another light source to keep the terrarium lighted.
On heating purpose, this bulb works great. If your crested gecko is not getting ample UVB light and is getting depressed, try this fixture along with the bulb. Surely it will bring a change in the nature of the gecko and it will become energetic and more active. The number of UV rays and heat it offers are good for a medium-sized crested gecko but do not keep more than one gecko at a terrarium while using this light, as then it may not be able to provide sufficient heat and light for the multiple geckos.
This product is good for its price. It lasts longer than many fancy products. The light switch is set at the cord and not with the assembly so you can easily switch it off and on even when the dome is really hot after long hours of work. However, some users complain that it is hard to keep the switch at one place, but that can be solved if you use duct tape to keep it stuck to one of the terrarium walls.
Pros:
- Nice and small fixture
- Provides light and heat
- Good for small geckos
Cons:
- UVB and heat not enough for a large terrarium
FAQ:
Where the lamp should be positioned in the terrarium?
- The lamp is mostly fitted around the basking area and a dome or canopy is fixed with the lamp to make the whole terrarium equally warm and cosy place for the gecko.
Where the terrarium of the gecko should be placed?
- Keeping the terrarium in direct sunlight is not advised. If the terrarium is walled with glass then the Sundays filtered through the glass will heat up the terrarium. The temperature of the terrarium should never be more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit or else it will cause heatstroke to the gecko.
Is incandescent bulb necessary equipment for the terrarium?
- If you are staying in a part of the hot and humid area, then you should not use any incandescent bulb in the terrarium. This bulb produces extra heat which may not be required if you are keeping the terrarium at a moderate condition.
How efficient is blacklight bulb for terrarium use?
- Blacklight is not a good option to be set inside the terrarium of the crested gecko. This kind of bulb emits UVA rays, that, we have already discussed is not safe for the pet. The skin, eye and other parts of the reptile can be damaged as well as their immunity will also degrade.
Can mercury vapour lamp or halogen bulb be used in the terrarium?
- The constant emission of heat from the halogen lamp will cause stress to the gecko. If you use the heat pad or any other heat-emitting source in the cage, then these kinds of bulbs are not necessary for the terrarium.
When should the bulb be replaced?
- The bulbs that give out UV rays starts giving out fewer rays after 12 months. You should check the package of the bulb to know the working ability of the product. If there is no information available regarding this, you can replace it after 10-12 months of time.
How long Crested Gecko should stay under the light?
UVB lights can be kept switched on for 10 to 12 hours as that period is enough to help the crested gecko to assimilate the vitamins in its body. However, if you can manage to put the gecko under direct sunlight then there is no need to keep UVB light into the terrarium as that need of UVB rays will be fulfilled by the natural sunlight.
The crested gecko needs 3 to 5 per cent of the UVB light so the lamp that you choose for the gecko should have this amount of UVB radiation.
Can natural sunlight be replenished by artificial bulb?
Yes, natural light can be replaced by artificial UVB bulb as that is done by most of the gecko owners. The apartments which have fewer opportunities of getting natural sunlight or if the owner is busy and do not have time to take the gecko for a walk, use UVB bulbs.
What temperature is ideal for crested gecko?
The temperature of the terrarium of crested gecko should be within 72 to 75 degree. Do not make the crested gecko live in a cold situation as that is rather unhealthy for this reptile. If you live in a really cold area or your house is very cold, then you should arrange for heat mat, heat-emitting lamp and air conditioner to keep the gecko warm.
Is night light needed for crested gecko?
The crested gecko is a nocturnal creature and they do not require any lighting at that time. Also, no UV lighting is needed for night time. To segregate night and day schedule, you can allow it to be under the fluorescent light for 10 to 12 hours a day. Their night time activity can be managed by them without any light.
What should you look for when buying a light for your crested gecko- Buyer’s guide
Different kinds of rays:
There are mostly three kinds of light rays that can be availed for the terrarium of the crested gecko. The first one is UVA. This light offers the systemization of circadian rhythm that makes the waking and sleeping pattern of crested gecko regularized.
UVB light helps in the synthesis of vitamin D3 which is necessary for the bone density of the gecko. This is vital for the good health of crested gecko.
UVC ray is not vitally needed for the crested gecko. This light causes damage to the gecko when the reptile is allowed to be under this kind of ray for long hours. But this ray is able to kill the bacteria.
Safe choice of bulbs for crested gecko:
If you plan to buy fluorescent bulbs for the terrarium, get the one that says 2.0 or 5.0 on the pack. The number indicates the number of UVB rays it will emit. The 10.0 will be too much for the crested gecko’s terrarium.
Also, check the wattage of the bulb. Generally, the larger the terrarium is, the more wattage should be used in keeping the place warm. A minimum 26-watt bulb is needed to keep a 20-gallon tank warm.
Lighting fixture
There are different kinds of light fixture available which can make the terrarium look pretty and make the place ready for the geckos.
Canopy fixture should be used when you are getting fluorescent bulb. This setting will let the whole terrarium be warmed by the heat of the bulb.
Dome lamp fixture is required when you are setting the lamp on the screen cover of the terrarium. The light and heat are well distributed but the basking spot will be in the focal point of the light.
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