Hello! My Introduction! (And Former Plans...)

reptileswithjohniii · June 24, 2024, 1:29pm

Hello everyone! I’m John III, and I just wanted to introduce myself, since I’m new to MorphMarket and the forums. (Note: At the time of writing this, I was planning on getting my first reptiles soon, but now it’s likely not going to be for a while, which is why I’ve changed this to be about my former plans.)

To provide a bit of background, ever since I was young, I’ve had an interest in reptiles since I first got to see some in person back around July 2012, which is now over a decade ago! While my family was there, they did take some pictures, so here’s some I would like to share!

I also went to the Bronx Zoo (not sure if that is how you spell it) in New York on a school field trip one time many years ago, which was exciting as well.

Later on, around August 2017, I got to visit a science center, which included a reptile exhibit, and while there I took some pictures and videos of some of the reptiles there.

Also, if someone can please confirm, I think this is an Uromastyx that they had in one of the habitats there.

Now that I’m much older (a young adult), I’ve decided to take a more advanced interest in the hobby. I’ve been wanting to own some reptiles for years, and now I can finally begin doing that. I’ve also wanted to get into animal breeding, first with fish (my father used to breed them, and I wanted to as well, although this never ended up happening), and now with reptiles.

Because of how easy it seems to be to breed Crested Geckos (I’ve been doing research), that’s what I’m planning on starting with. I’ve found some reputable sellers I can obtain a breeding pair from, and I’ve made sure I have the space to accommodate everything I’ll need to do it along with meeting the requirements.

Depending on how successful I am, I may end up listing some of the offspring for sale on MorphMarket, if there is anyone who would be interested in buying them. I might also ask for help here on the forums in identifying what traits the babies have, if I can’t determine them myself.

I’ve also created a YouTube channel (called John III’s World Of Reptiles) where I plan on posting reptile related videos, which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/@ReptilesWithJohnIII.

I’ll also likely post some high quality images I take of my reptiles on Unsplash as well. You can find my account on there here: John J. DeAlessio III (@johnjd3) | Unsplash Photo Community.

Well, that’s my backstory, and overall, I’ve excited to get into the world of reptile keeping and husbandry, and hello to everyone on here! I’m hoping to find and share a lot of useful information with fellow reptile enthusiasts!

06/27/24 EDIT: I’ve uploaded a narrated, video version of this post to my YouTube channel. You can watch it below.

akmorphs · June 24, 2024, 2:42pm

Welcome to the community John! Can’t wait to see your official crestie pick-ups

reptileswithjohniii · June 24, 2024, 3:23pm

Thanks! I’m hoping to get them soon.

deanaii · June 24, 2024, 4:19pm

Hey John! Welcome. Hope to see pics of the start of your collection soon.

reptileswithjohniii · June 24, 2024, 4:36pm

Thanks! Once I do start it, I’ll be sure to start sharing pictures and videos on here, my YouTube channel, and Unsplash as well.

reptileswithjohniii · June 26, 2024, 2:42pm

Plans Update 1 (06/26/2024): Hello again everyone! It’s been a few days since I posted this introduction along with my plans, so I would like to share what I’ve done since then in regards to that.

First, following what I said in the OP (original post), I’ve gotten some work done on setting up an area for the planned crested gecko breeding pair, along with areas where tanks for the hatchlings and babies growing up can go, and also an area for an incubator, which you can see labeled in the image below.

Second, I got some sphagnum moss which I plan on using in the tank, since a seller I was interested in buying a pair from on MorphMarket said that is good to use for their nesting area.

Third, for day lighting, a care sheet I found recommended to use a 13 watt 5.0 UVB bulb, so I decided to end up getting a Zoo Med one, and after doing some testing, it seems that it will work fine for my purposes. I have a binder where I’ve been putting all of my research and useful info I’ve found into, which you can see in the 2 images below.

You might have also noticed that I printed out a ReptiBator manual. That’s since I was able to purchase a lightly used one for a really great price, so that’s the digital incubator I’m planning on using to start out with hatching the eggs.

And lastly, I also bought some Repashy crested gecko meal replacement powder, which I’m storing in a refrigerator, and plan to feed alongside insects and the required nutrition.

As for how soon I think I’m going to have everything fully set-up and ready to go, I’m thinking by August or September of this year. I want to make sure I have a good start, and that means it’s going to take a bit of time to prepare everything.

As I continue to make progress though, I’ll keep posting these plan updates as I get closer to getting started with my first reptiles! That’s all for now, and see you in the next post!

06/27/24 EDIT: I’ve uploaded a narrated, video version of this post to my YouTube channel. You can watch it below.

indiflare · June 27, 2024, 2:32pm

Do you plan on keeping the pair today at all times? It’s not really a good idea to cohab a pair, simply because the male will stress the female out by breeding her a lot.

reptileswithjohniii · June 27, 2024, 5:42pm

Thanks for the reply. Like I’ve said, I’m new to this, so I don’t really know how often they should be kept together when trying to breed them. If I really had to, each one could go in a seperate tank for part of the time. Or could I use a terrarium divider in a single tank if I really wanted to? I’m open to feedback and suggestions on creating an optimal setup.

indiflare · June 27, 2024, 5:57pm

usually the female is put into the males tank for a couple of days, or less if you see them lock. I don’t think the divider would be a great idea if they can still see each other through it.

It’s okay! Just figured I’d let you know, everyone starts somewhere:)

reptileswithjohniii · June 27, 2024, 9:23pm

Ok, thanks! I’ll keep that in mind once I finish setting everything up and get started. If I were to end up using a divider for a single tank though, would an opaque one work that doesn’t let them see each other through it?

indiflare · June 28, 2024, 1:46am

Dividers I feel like are just sketchy in general. i’ve had bad luck with them in fish tanks (Which i know is different) but i feel like seperate tanks are just the best option.

logar · June 28, 2024, 2:30am

I couldn’t agree more. Dividers should really only be used in temporary situations where there are no other options.

Those UVB bulbs are not a good thing to use. They are very unreliable and don’t work like they claim. I would highly recommend using an Arcadia Shadedweller UVB instead. And it looks like you are using an UGR care guide? I personally would try and find some other sources as they are known to be a somewhat sketchy place. I will post a couple links to others.

There are going to be things small things that are not correct or isn’t necessarily in all of the care guides out there so just ask if you aren’t sure.

But the fact you are so organized is amazing. I don’t think I could create a binder full of stuff without accidentally cooking it in my oven

reptileswithjohniii · June 28, 2024, 2:51am

Thanks for posting the links! I’ll definitely be sure to check them out.

caron · June 28, 2024, 3:30am

@reptileswithjohniii I am using the ReptisunT5 13Watt Tropical bulb for my Gargoyle gecko and my false chameleon. It was recommended by the breeder for both of them. I am pleased with the quality of the bulbs and both my Gargoyle and my false chameleon are thriving. I know others here disapprove of these bulbs because they are “coiled” but if these bulbs are good enough for the breeder then they are good enough for me.

I do however agree that UGR is maybe not the best website to be getting advice from……

reptileswithjohniii · June 28, 2024, 3:40am

Thanks for the response. When I was first looking for care sheets and information, UGR was one of the sources recommended to me, although now I’m checking out the links provided by logar which seems to contain better and more detailed care information.

I’m still in the early phases of planning out my setup, so I’m trying to figure out the best way to get off to a good start with my plans.

reptileswithjohniii · July 16, 2024, 4:09am

Plans Update 2 (07/16/2024): Hello everyone! Since it’s been a few weeks since my last update here, I thought I would share what I’ve been doing in that time.

First off, I’m glad to announce that, after doing some more looking around, I decided to end up purchasing this Crested Gecko breeding pair from Small City Cresteds, which they will keep on hold for me until I am ready for them to be shipped out to my location, which will likely be at the end of August. Here’s an image (with some editing applied) that they shared with me of them!

Second, I’ve been working on creating a personal checklist of all the equipment I’ll need to get started along with some optional supplies that would be a nice addition but are not necessary, and since I’m planning on doing breeding as well, the checklist also includes breeding related supplies.

While I’m only about halfway done working on it at the moment, the checklist should prove useful when it comes time for me to order everything and get it set up, as I can easily see what supplies I already have by seeing what I’ve checked off, and what is still left for me to get.

Lastly, I’ve come up with a finalized name for my Morph Market store! Since I also have a passion in astronomy, I’ve decided to call it Nebular Lizards!

On a separate online store from my MorphMarket store (where I’ll also be listing my live reptiles for sale, which will be any Crested Gecko babies I end up producing from my breeding projects at first, and if that does well, perhaps other reptiles in the future), I’ll also be selling astronomy and reptile related products in addition to live reptiles.

If that sounds interesting to you, make sure to check out my social media accounts so you’ll be notified as soon as the stores launch, which will be sometime this September if everything goes well!

That’s all for now, and I’ll see you in the next plans update post!

VIDEO VERSION

reptileswithjohniii · August 17, 2024, 4:02am

Plans Update 3 (08/17/2024): Hello again everyone! Now that it’s been a month since the last update, I would like to share what’s been going on in the meantime, as I get very close now to owning my first reptiles and getting started with breeding!

First off, after purchasing this Crested Gecko breeding pair, I decided to get a Leopard Gecko breeding pair as well since I want to breed those in addition to Crested Geckos, and they’re also easy to care for and maintain. Here’s some images (and like the CG pair one, with some editing applied) of the pair that was shared with me by the seller.

Second, I now have all of the required supplies (terrarium tanks, food, etc) needed to take care of and maintain Crested and Leopard Geckos in a habitat, and I’ve been spending the last few weeks getting it all ready.

Since I’m planning on receiving the pairs around August 27-28th, I’ve set up both terrariums, which you can see how they look in the next 2 images below. I think they will make for nice habitats that the geckos will enjoy!

Lastly, I have an update on the Nebular Lizards store. I’m now planning on launching the online store in mid-late September, followed by the MorphMarket store sometime after that, once I have some offspring ready for sale.

This also means that this is my final plans update before I get started in only a few weeks from now.

Hopefully you enjoyed reading it, and are excited for my start to reptile keeping and breeding as much as I am!

logar · August 18, 2024, 4:17am

Seems like you have everything mostly figured out! The crested gecko tank you pictured (I am assuming you have more than one) does need some more climbing branches though. There are some great examples posted in the crested gecko thread.