Reptiles desperately need heat to digest food and keep their bodies warm and crested gecko is no exception. During the day, they are exposed to sunlight to help them synthesize vitamin D3 and convert it into calcium. This is great for the development of crested gecko because in the sunlight there are beneficial rays such as UVA, UVB and heat rays.
We can use light bulbs or specialized equipment instead of sunlight to heat crested gecko. However, there is no sunlight at night so the metabolism of calcium and food digestion are very slow, making crested gecko often languid in the morning and only really active when heated. So for crested gecko to grow best, we should warm them up even at night.
In this article, we will provide you with the information you need to choose the best crested gecko heating.
Our Top Picks for Best Crested Gecko Heating 2021:
Best overall: Sequoia Reptile Under Tank Heating Pad
“Greatly improved electronics that allow owner to adjust its temperature and operate under low energy, comes with its own adhesive.”
Best quality: iPower Reptile Heat Pad Under Tank Terrarium
“Provides even temperature throughout the entire tank in a short period of time, works well both day and night.”
Best budget: Zoo Med Ceramic Heat Emitter
“Less than $ 20 for a 5-year working heat supply device.”
Best energy-efficient: Zilla Reptile Terrarium Heat Mats
“A large heat mat that doesn’t use as much electricity, will certainly not stress you every time you pay your electricity bill every month.”
Best life expectancy: Fluker’s Heat Mat for Reptiles and Small Animals
“A device with a significantly longer lifespan than many other types of electrical equipment, and can also be used with many different reptiles and amphibians.”
Best night heating: Exo Terra Night-Glo Moonlight
“Not only does it provide good moonlight blue light for the pet’s normal living and digestive cycle, but it also provides the most suitable temperature for their night growth.”
Top 6 Crested Gecko Heating Review 2021
#1 Exo Terra Night-Glo Moonlight
Exo Terra’s Night heating lamp is one of the best choices because of the features and performance it brings. This night light bulb simulates the natural light at night of the moonlight, bringing certain benefits to pets. Gentle light blue light, does not affect the eyes or sleep of reptiles. Moreover, the stable and consistent temperature that this bulb brings helps crested gecko to keep body temperature at night, without thermal shock.
Should be combined with day heating lamps (UVA) and UVB lights to form a closed day and night cycle to help the reptile develop in the best way. At an affordable price, this is a quality crested gecko heat lamp that is worth your investment.
#2 Zoo Med Ceramic Heat Emitter
Ceramic Heat Emitter from Zoo Med is probably no longer a strange product to many people. Yes! There is no reason why this device shouldn’t be on this list. This infrared heater is made of quality porcelain, standard incandescent can provide the amount of heat needed for crested gecko both day and night.
This product does not emit light like the one we reviewed above, but it does provide a greater amount of heat. Especially, it is resistant to water, so the life expectancy also increases significantly. With an infrared heater, you can use them within 5 years for shallow pools of less than 20 gallons.
#3 iPower Reptile Heat Pad Under Tank Terrarium
Crested gecko heating pad from iPower is one of the popular and quality options of many customers. The product has an innovative design and works effectively compared to many other products on the market, so it is not uncommon for this device to win the hearts of so many people.
The device has an adhesive that can be installed anywhere in the terrarium, but the most suitable position is still at the bottom. Because at this position, the temperature will be able to radiate most evenly.
This device is very easy to use, you only need to plug in the power cord and wait for a while is the device can reach the maximum temperature, ready to use. Size suitable for small reptiles, this is the device that can provide heat in the most stable time even during the day or night.
Especially, iPower’s products are not waterproof, so you can be completely assured when setting up for terrarium.
#4 Fluker’s Heat Mat for Reptiles and Small Animals
Flukers Heat Mat is one of the current popular options. This product is appreciated for its easy installation and can be used for many different pets, including large reptiles and amphibians.
With a long lifespan, this crested gecko heat mat is the device that is worth your investment. Imagine you can use it for terrarium to raise a big gecko after finishing with crested gecko. The thermal distribution of this device allows you to provide the ideal habitat for your pets.
For those who are looking for a quality heat mat for the slopes of the terrarium, this option should not be missed. However, it does not come with glue, so you must use tape to attach it to the side of the shallow lake. Perhaps this is a pity of this device, if there is more glue, everything will become a lot simpler.
However, if you want to install this device to the bottom of the terrarium, you should pay a little attention, because the substrate can interfere with the heat transfer to your pet.
#5 Zilla Reptile Terrarium Heat Mats
Another great heat mat is Zilla’s product, dedicated to terrarium. With the right design to provide the ideal temperature for tropical and desert animals, especially crested gecko.
The product has many different sizes, suitable for many different sizes of terrarium so that you can choose the most suitable size. The product comes with its own adhesive, so you don’t need to worry about crested gecko heat mat placement, you can flexibly install it on the side or the bottom of the terrarium, whatever position you want. However, you should only mount them on flat surfaces for best results.
Besides, this is a quite energy-efficient product so that you can reduce the burden on the electricity bill at the end of the month. This Zilla heat mat deserves to be one of the top products on this list.
#6 Sequoia Reptile Under Tank Heating Pad
Sequoia’s Under tank heating pad is the next item on this list. This is a new product with improved and more advanced design. Unlike other heat pads, this product allows you to adjust the temperature according to the needs and condition of the pet.
That is the difference and also the biggest plus point of this product. Therefore, you can adjust the temperature to suit each different type of pet as well as the right temperature with the change of time. The temperature range that this product can vary is from 32 – 95 degrees Fahrenheit, suitable for crested gecko temp.
Besides, the product comes with its own adhesive so you can set up anywhere in the tank. The waterproof design also makes it easy to clean and has a long life. For routine cleaning, you just need to wash it with detergent, but limit the water sticking to the device’s power.
Why do crested gecko need heat?
Reptiles in general and crested geckos in particular are tropical animals, they are accustomed to living in high temperatures, so when becoming a pet and moving to areas with different temperatures will cause them to be changes in body temperature. Without heating or living in an environment with high temperatures, they can hardly adapt.
Temperature is an important factor that can directly affect crested gecko, affect sleep, food digestion and its life cycle. When in a natural environment, geckos will increase their body temperature by exposing themselves in the sun. And when they want to cool down, they will hide in the shade or return to their burrows.
So when you live in captivity, you should give them the same elements. For example for crested gecko heating setup, you can install heat pad, mat or light bulb. And do not forget the vegetation or drinking water so that they have the most comfortable living environment.
What is the heating time for crested gecko?
Do you know how much temperature is suitable for crested gecko? Night and day temperatures are different for the activity and cycle of crested gecko, so you should be aware of this information to avoid affecting your pets.
During the day, the temperature suitable for crested gecko is higher at night. The ideal temperature range for them is from 70 to 78 degrees F. And at night, the temperature is a few degrees lower than during the day, so you can adjust it down to about 65 – 72 degrees F.
With this temperature range, it may be a little higher than other reptiles, but you should also regularly check their condition to avoid burns.
Nor can you crested gecko expose too long to such high temperatures. Crested gecko heating time is about 8 hours in the day and 6 hours at night. If you don’t have a lot of time to check on the temperature in the terrarium, you can use devices that warm all day or all night with low but stable temperatures.
What is Crested Gecko Heat Stress?
If crested geckos are not provided with the right temperature then they will be seriously affected. If the temperature is too high, they are extremely susceptible to stress resulting in uncontrolled movements. Even if exposed to extremely high temperatures for a long time, it can develop heatstroke and burns.
The dangerous temperature for crested gecko is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so be more mindful on hot days. Especially for the tanks placed by the window even more attention. Because the temperature of sunlight shining through the tank will make the temperature increase much faster and can maintain that temperature for a very long time. That is also the reason that many people do not place the tank next to the window or places exposed to direct sunlight.
If the temperature in the tank is too low, will it affect crested gecko? Sure. When the temperature is low, pets may experience heat shock and affect food digestion as well as activities in the body that can be stopped. Crested gecko can withstand low temperatures for a short time however it needs to be warmed immediately afterwards.
The dangerous temperature threshold when falling is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so you need to be careful not to crested gecko to withstand temperatures lower than that threshold for a long time. Especially at night, it is a time of human rest, so you can not check often. In this case, you should use a low-power incandescent light, which can both provide heat to the pet and provide light for plant growth.
You can also use crested gecko heat rock, a product that provides both a stable temperature and a natural decoration for a comfortable pet living environment.
Conclusion
Temperature is a very important factor for a tropical animal like crested gecko, which determines their stable development and functioning. So besides light and moisture, you should also consider this factor if you do not want to affect crested gecko.
Currently there are many heat supply devices sold widely on the market, you need to consult carefully as the requirements and characteristics to choose the most suitable device for your pet. Hopefully the information we have provided will help you.
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