A crested gecko needs less heat than most pet lizards, but more height, more humidity and a closer eye on the thermometer. The four items that decide whether the setup works are a tall terrarium, a low-level UVB lamp, a way to mist, and gauges that tell you the truth. Spend your budget there first.
Below is every item in order of importance, with what to look for and a pick for each. Products differ between the US and UK, so some sections have one pick per market. We have not tested these products ourselves: picks are based on the manufacturers’ specifications and on how well they match the care guidance cited at the bottom of the page.
The short version
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Tall terrarium Tall front-opening glass terrarium, 18 x 18 x 36 in (45 x 45 x 90 cm) Amazon - Tall terrarium Tall front-opening glass terrarium, 18 x 18 x 36 in (45 x 45 x 90 cm) Amazon UK
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UVB kit Arcadia ShadeDweller ProT5 UVB Kit (7%, 8 W, 12 in) Amazon - UVB kit Arcadia ShadeDweller ProT5 UVB Kit (7%, 8 W, 12 in) Amazon UK
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Thermostat (if you heat) Exo Terra Dimming and Pulse Proportional Thermostat Amazon - Thermostat (if you heat) Habistat Dimming Thermostat, Classic Range (600 W) Amazon UK
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Automatic mister Exo Terra Monsoon Solo II Misting System Amazon - Automatic mister Exo Terra Monsoon Solo II Misting System Amazon UK
- Hand sprayer One-hand pressure sprayer, about 1 liter Amazon
- Hand sprayer One-hand pressure sprayer, about 1 liter Amazon UK
- Thermometer and hygrometer Zoo Med Digital Thermometer and Humidity Gauge (TH-31) Amazon
- Thermometer and hygrometer Zoo Med Digital Thermometer and Humidity Gauge (TH-31) Amazon UK
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Complete diet Pangea Fruit Mix with Insects Complete Gecko Diet, 2 oz Amazon - Complete diet Pangea Fruit Mix with Insects Complete Gecko Diet, 2 oz Amazon UK
- Calcium for insects Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3, 8 oz Amazon
- Calcium for insects Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3, 8 oz Amazon UK
- Feeding ledge Komodo 2-Cup Magnetic Feeding Ledge Amazon
- Feeding ledge Komodo 2-Cup Magnetic Feeding Ledge Amazon UK
- Substrate Zoo Med Eco Earth Coconut Fiber, 1 brick Amazon
- Substrate Exo Terra Plantation Soil, 8.8 L brick Amazon UK
1. A tall terrarium
Crested geckos are arboreal: they live off the ground, in branches and leaves. Height gives them room to climb and lets a gentle warm spot form at the top while the bottom stays cooler.
What to look for:
- Height first. ReptiFiles gives 18 x 18 x 36 in (about 45 x 45 x 90 cm) as the minimum for juveniles and adults over 12 g. The RSPCA and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) give a smaller minimum of 45 x 45 x 60 cm (about 18 x 18 x 24 in). Sources differ, so buy the taller size if you can. The enclosure size guide compares them.
- Glass. The RSPCA prefers glass to wood because of the humidity, and the RVC notes glass terrariums with mesh tops are the usual choice.
- Front-opening doors that lock. Reaching in from the front is calmer for the gecko than a hand coming from above.
- A mesh top for the UVB lamp, and some ventilation. The RVC says good ventilation is needed.
Best terrarium
Tall front-opening glass terrarium, 18 x 18 x 36 in (45 x 45 x 90 cm)
Crested geckos live up in the branches, so height matters more than floor space. This link searches for the 18 x 18 x 36 inch (about 45 x 45 x 90 cm) size that ReptiFiles gives as the minimum for juveniles and adults, which is taller than the 45 x 45 x 60 cm minimum set by the RSPCA and the Royal Veterinary College.
- Target size
- 18 x 18 x 36 in (about 45 x 45 x 90 cm)
- Material
- Glass, as the RSPCA and RVC prefer
- Access
- Front-opening doors with a lock
- Top
- Mesh, so a UVB lamp can sit on it
Best for
One adult crested gecko, with room for branches, plants and a vertical temperature gradient.
Worth knowing
Check all three measurements: many "tall" tanks are only 24 in (60 cm) high. Look for front-opening doors that lock and a mesh top for the UVB lamp. Glass holds humidity well, so make sure there is some ventilation.
2. Low-level UVB
Crested geckos are most active at dusk and night, and for years many were kept without UVB. Current guidance has moved on. The RVC says they appear to benefit from UVB, ReptiFiles recommends it for all reptiles, and the RSPCA asks for a 5 to 7% UVB lamp.
The key is low output. Crested geckos are listed in Ferguson zone 1, the group of shade dwellers that get the least UV in the wild. A short T5 ShadeDweller tube, with plenty of leaves to hide under, is the setup ReptiFiles describes.
What to look for:
- A linear T5 tube, not a coil bulb.
- Around 5 to 7% output, or a lower-output tube if it sits close to the gecko.
- No glass or plastic between lamp and gecko. ReptiFiles notes these block UVB.
Best UVB kit
Arcadia ShadeDweller ProT5 UVB Kit (7%, 8 W, 12 in)
A short T5 UVB lamp made for shade-dwelling and crepuscular species, supplied with its fitting and a removable reflector. ReptiFiles names the 12 inch 7% ShadeDweller for adult crested geckos, and the RSPCA asks for a 5 to 7% lamp.
- UVB
- 7% (UVA 17%)
- Power
- 8 W
- Length
- About 12 in (30 cm)
- Type
- T5 with removable reflector
Best for
Giving a crested gecko low-level UVB at the top of a tall terrarium, with shade below.
Worth knowing
ReptiFiles gives a distance of about 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm) from lamp to gecko when the lamp sits on a mesh top. Leave plenty of plants and shade, and replace the tube on the maker's schedule.
The lighting and heating guide covers distances and the UV index range sources give.
3. Heat, only if you need it, and always a thermostat
This is where crested geckos differ from most lizards. Their comfortable range is close to room temperature, and the real danger is overheating. ReptiFiles says sustained temperatures above 85°F (29°C) risk heat stress, and PetMD advises against long spells above 80°F (27°C).
Most sources still describe a gentle warm spot at the top: about 79 to 82°F (26 to 28°C) per the RSPCA and RVC, or 82 to 85°F (28 to 29°C) per ReptiFiles. In a warm room you may get close to that with the lamps alone. In a cool room, a small heat lamp does it.
What to look for:
- A low-wattage white bulb. ReptiFiles suggests starting at about 25 W and adjusting.
- A dimming thermostat. Any heater needs one. It is also your safety net if the room warms up.
- A dome with a ceramic socket, resting on the mesh top.
Small heat lamp (only if needed)
Exo Terra Daytime Heat Lamp, low wattage (about 25 W)
A small white-light incandescent heat bulb. ReptiFiles suggests starting with a 25 W Exo Terra Daytime Heat Lamp and adjusting from there, to give a gentle warm spot near the top of the terrarium.
- Type
- Incandescent, white light
- Starting wattage
- About 25 W, per ReptiFiles
Best for
A cool room where the top of the terrarium will not reach the basking range on its own.
Worth knowing
Only if needed, always on a dimming thermostat, and in a dome with a ceramic socket. Turn it off at night. In a warm room it may not be needed at all.
Thermostat (US)
Exo Terra Dimming and Pulse Proportional Thermostat
A reptile thermostat with both dimming and pulse-proportional control and a waterproof probe. Dimming suits a small heat lamp, and pulse control suits heat mats and ceramic heaters.
- Model
- PT2461
- Max load
- 300 W
- Range
- 64 to 100°F (18 to 38°C)
- Control
- Dimming and pulse proportional
Best for
Keeping a low-wattage heat lamp from pushing the top of the terrarium past a safe temperature.
Worth knowing
Put the probe at the basking branch, where the gecko actually sits, and check it with a separate thermometer.
Thermostat (UK)
Habistat Dimming Thermostat, Classic Range (600 W)
A UK-made dimming thermostat for heat lamps. It turns the lamp down smoothly as the probe reaches the set temperature instead of switching it fully on and off.
- Max load
- 600 W
- Control
- Dimming
Best for
Running a small basking lamp in a UK terrarium with a firm ceiling on temperature.
Worth knowing
It has a minimum load, so very low-wattage bulbs may not dim correctly. Check the minimum against your bulb before buying.
If your home is already warm in summer, heat is not the problem: keeping the terrarium cool is. Place it in the coolest room, away from sunny windows, and watch the top-of-tank reading on hot days.
4. A way to mist
Crested geckos mostly drink droplets from leaves and glass, so misting is how they drink as well as how humidity rises. ReptiFiles advises misting daily, at least in the evening, then letting the terrarium dry out before the next mist.
You can mist by hand or automatically. Both work.
What to look for:
- A hand pressure sprayer gives a fine mist with a few pumps. This is the low-cost option and all you strictly need.
- An automatic mister runs on a timer, so the evening mist still happens when you are out. It is worth it if your evenings are unpredictable.
- A larger system with more nozzles if you plan a bioactive setup or more than one terrarium.
Hand sprayer
One-hand pressure sprayer, about 1 liter
A pump-up garden sprayer gives a fine, steady mist without the hand cramp of a trigger bottle. Crested geckos mostly drink droplets from leaves and glass, so one good misting a day matters.
- Capacity
- About 1 liter
- Type
- Pump-up pressure sprayer
Best for
The daily evening misting, on any budget.
Worth knowing
Keep it for the terrarium only. Never use one that has held weedkiller, fertilizer or cleaning products.
Automatic mister
Exo Terra Monsoon Solo II Misting System
A compact programmable mister with a small pump, one adjustable nozzle and a built-in reservoir. You set how often and how long it mists, so the evening misting happens even when you are out.
- Model
- PT4200
- Reservoir
- 1.5 L
- Nozzles
- 1 included, takes a second
- Pump pressure
- 2.5 bar (36.25 psi)
Best for
One terrarium, when you want a reliable evening mist without a hand sprayer.
Worth knowing
Mist, then let the terrarium dry out. A mister on too often keeps everything wet, which encourages mold. Use a hygrometer to set the timer.
Expandable misting system (US)
MistKing Starter Misting System, 5th Gen
A higher-end misting system with a 24 V pump, timer, one nozzle assembly, 15 ft of tubing, a reservoir bulkhead and a filter. The kit list does not include a water container. It can be expanded to more nozzles or more enclosures.
- Pump
- 24 V
- Included
- Timer, 1 nozzle assembly, 15 ft of 1/4 in tubing
- Expandable to
- 10 nozzles
Best for
Keepers planning a bioactive setup or more than one terrarium.
Worth knowing
Plan on supplying your own water container. It takes more setting up than an all-in-one mister.
5. Thermometer and hygrometer
You cannot see temperature or humidity. A digital gauge with a probe at the top of the terrarium tells you whether the warm spot is safe and how humidity rises and falls after each misting. ReptiFiles recommends a digital probe gauge over cheap stick-on dials, and PetMD advises checking temperature and humidity daily.
Thermometer and hygrometer
Zoo Med Digital Thermometer and Humidity Gauge (TH-31)
A small digital gauge with a probe that shows temperature and humidity on one screen. ReptiFiles names this Zoo Med gauge for crested gecko setups.
- Display
- Digital
- Probe
- Waterproof
- Battery
- 1 x LR44
Best for
Watching the top-of-tank temperature and the humidity cycle after each misting.
Worth knowing
Put the probe near the basking branch, not on the floor. Buy two if you want a reading at the top and bottom.
An infrared temperature gun is a useful extra for spot checks on branches and the glass near the lamp.
6. Food and supplements
Most crested geckos eat a complete powdered diet mixed with water, plus a few insects. ReptiFiles recommends Pangea and Repashy among a short list of brands, and suggests rotating at least three flavors or brands. The RVC says crested geckos are typically fed a complete formulated diet.
Complete diet
Pangea Fruit Mix with Insects Complete Gecko Diet, 2 oz
A complete powdered diet that you mix with water. Pangea lists fruit plus cricket and black soldier fly larva protein. ReptiFiles lists Pangea among the prepared diets it recommends.
- Form
- Powder, mixed with water
- Protein
- Includes crickets and black soldier fly larvae
- Size
- 2 oz
Best for
The everyday staple meal, rotated with at least two other flavors or brands.
Worth knowing
Mix only what will be eaten and remove leftovers. Rotating brands and flavors, as ReptiFiles suggests, keeps a fussy gecko interested.
Second diet for rotation
Repashy Crested Gecko MRP Diet
The original Repashy meal replacement powder for crested geckos and other fruit-eating geckos. ReptiFiles lists Repashy among its recommended prepared diets.
- Form
- Powder, mixed with water
- Type
- Complete meal replacement
Best for
A second brand in the rotation alongside Pangea.
Worth knowing
Several Repashy crested gecko blends exist. Check the listing says Crested Gecko MRP or Crested Gecko Diet, not a treat.
Calcium. Dust insects with calcium just before feeding. ReptiFiles says to use calcium without D3 if you provide UVB, and with D3 if you do not. PetMD and the RVC also suggest a multivitamin some of the time. The diet guide explains how the sources compare.
Calcium for insects
Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3, 8 oz
A fine calcium carbonate powder with vitamin D3 for dusting insects just before you offer them.
- Contents
- Calcium carbonate with vitamin D3
- Size
- 8 oz (227 g)
Best for
Dusting crickets and roaches, especially if you are not using UVB.
Worth knowing
ReptiFiles says to use calcium without D3 if you provide UVB, and with D3 if you do not. Most prepared diets already contain calcium, so this is for insects only.
A feeding ledge. ReptiFiles suggests serving the diet in small cups on a ledge fixed to the wall, up where the gecko lives.
Feeding ledge
Komodo 2-Cup Magnetic Feeding Ledge
A magnetic ledge that clips to the glass and holds two small cups, one for the mixed diet and one for water, up where a crested gecko spends its time.
- Cups
- 2
- Mount
- Magnetic
- Width
- About 10 in
Best for
Serving the prepared diet high in the terrarium, as ReptiFiles suggests.
Worth knowing
Magnets need glass thin enough to hold through. Wash the cups daily.
7. Substrate
The floor layer holds moisture and helps humidity recover after misting. ReptiFiles recommends coconut fiber or a soil and coconut fiber mix, 2 to 4 in (5 to 10 cm) deep. The RSPCA suggests coconut coir, or soil topped with moss or leaves.
For juveniles under about 13 g, ReptiFiles suggests paper towel instead, because of the risk of swallowing loose substrate.
Substrate (US)
Zoo Med Eco Earth Coconut Fiber, 1 brick
A compressed coconut fiber brick that expands in water into a soft, moisture-holding substrate. ReptiFiles lists Eco Earth among suitable crested gecko substrates.
- Material
- Coconut fiber
- Pack
- 1 compressed brick
Best for
A 2 to 4 in (5 to 10 cm) humidity-holding floor layer in a simple setup.
Worth knowing
ReptiFiles suggests paper towel instead for geckos under about 13 g, because of the impaction risk from loose substrate. Keep it damp, not soggy.
Substrate (UK)
Exo Terra Plantation Soil, 8.8 L brick
A compressed coconut fiber brick from Exo Terra. ReptiFiles lists Plantation Soil among suitable crested gecko substrates, and the RSPCA suggests coconut coir.
- Material
- Coconut fiber
- Volume
- 8.8 L when expanded
Best for
A humidity-holding floor layer in a UK terrarium.
Worth knowing
Use paper towel for very small juveniles. Spot clean daily and replace monthly unless the setup is bioactive.
8. Branches, plants and hides
A tall terrarium is only useful if the gecko can climb it. Fill it with branches at different heights and angles, and enough leaves that the gecko can hide anywhere. The RSPCA suggests cork bark tubes and half coconut shells for hiding, and notes that floppy tail syndrome is linked to a lack of climbing space.
- Cork bark tubes and flats for hides and climbing.
- Branches running across and up the terrarium, wedged firmly.
- Plants, live or artificial. ReptiFiles lists live plants such as pothos, bromeliads and snake plant, which also hold water droplets for drinking.
Climbing hide
Zoo Med Natural Cork Bark Round, Large
A hollow tube of natural cork bark that can stand upright as a climbing hide or lie at an angle as a ramp. The RSPCA suggests cork bark tubes as hiding spots.
- Material
- Natural cork bark
- Size
- Large (varies)
- Model
- CF9-L
Best for
A daytime hide up off the floor, and a climbing route between levels.
Worth knowing
Wedge it firmly so it cannot topple onto the gecko. Natural pieces vary in size.
9. Smaller extras
- A water dish. The RSPCA and RVC both say fresh water should always be available, even with misting.
- A plug-in timer for the lights. The RSPCA and RVC suggest about 12 hours on.
- A digital kitchen scale that reads in grams. ReptiFiles suggests weighing weekly, since sudden weight loss often signals illness.
- Reptile-safe disinfectant for dishes and cleaning.
- A small ventilated tub for vet trips, lined with paper towel, as the RSPCA suggests.
Starter kits vs buying separately
Many stores sell crested gecko kits. Check each part against this page before you buy. Some kits come with a terrarium that is too short for an adult, a coil UVB bulb, a dial gauge, or a heat lamp with no thermostat. Buying the terrarium, UVB kit and gauge separately usually gives a better setup, and the cheaper extras can come later.
Simple setup or bioactive?
A simple setup uses coconut fiber or paper towel, artificial plants and full cleans. It is cheaper and easier to check, which suits a first gecko or a juvenile.
A bioactive setup adds a drainage layer, a soil mix, leaf litter, live plants and small cleanup animals that break down waste. The RSPCA suggests considering bioactive for permanent housing, and ReptiFiles lists bioactive-ready soil mixes. It costs more up front and needs a light for the plants, but cleaning is mostly spot cleaning.
Either works. Start simple if you are unsure, and convert later.
Skip these
- Heat rocks. They heat one spot with no limit and can burn.
- Any heater without a thermostat. For a species where 85°F (29°C) is the danger line, an unregulated lamp in a warm room is a real risk.
- Colored night bulbs. ReptiFiles advises against red, blue and black bulbs for night viewing or heat, and says a night drop is healthier.
- Coil UVB bulbs. Choose a linear T5 tube.
- Bark, wood chips, pine and cedar. ReptiFiles warns of impaction from chips and harmful oils in pine and cedar.
- Reptile carpet. ReptiFiles notes the fibers can catch toes.
- Baby food. ReptiFiles warns it lacks the right nutrients.
- A second male. Males fight, and both the RSPCA and ReptiFiles say never house males together.
Where to start
If budget is tight, buy in this order: terrarium, UVB kit, gauge, sprayer, food and calcium, substrate, branches and plants. Add the heat lamp and thermostat if your room runs cool, and an automatic mister later if you want it. The setup checklist shows how to put it all together and test it before the gecko arrives.
Height, a little UVB, a daily mist and a thermometer you trust. A crested gecko asks for less heat than almost any other pet lizard, so the job is keeping it comfortable, not keeping it hot.