enclosure questions

rrcoolj · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:51 pm Post subject: enclosure questions

Hey guys, I know this is kinda wierd but I have some questions about a custom enclosure I plan On building for my tegu even though I don't have him yet. This might sound wierd but I wanna get evrythin planned before I buy my tegu including the 8'x2'x2' enclosure I plan to build for him/her.
These questions are for the custom enclosure I plan to build for him or her.

1) is mulch from somewhere like homedepot a good substrate for an adult tegu?

2) Do adult tegu's need a hiding place? And If they do should it be on the warm or cool side or both?

3) Do adult tegus need a large water bowl? Do they like to soak in thier water bowls?

4) Can I use coil bulbs for his cage? Will it be enough UVB for him if I get a 10.0? http://reptiledepot.com/coil.html Can I only use one or do I need more?

5) I also plan to heat his cage with heat lamps. I am using 10" heat lams because it is the largest I can find. Can I use two 10" fixtures with two 150 watt bulbs? Do I need to put the fixtures on both sides of the cage or can I just keep them on the dedicated warm side of the cage?

I also wanted to add that I'm buying my tegu as a hatchling and I will start him in a 40 breeder but I plan to atleast have all the supplies for the 8'x2'x2' cage before or a few months after I get him. Oh and I'v decided to keep his enclosure inside.
sorry I have so many questions, but I really need answers even just to some of them.

Any suggestions welcomed

Ben3233 · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:30 am Post subject:

1) If it's write cypress mulch or other good mulch, yes it's good.

2) It depends to each person, some put none of them...and put like 1 feet of mulch...allowed him to dig as much as he likes. Some will put the two. In my case, I would put only one hide (in cool side) because when they have to bask...they should bask under the sun (lamp) and not under an hide.

3) Get 2 bowls. One small for drinking and One big for bathing.

4) Get a long 5.0 tube. Many people here told me that small bulb wasn't enough

5) The cage must have a Temperature gradient. So the Tegu will choose the place he/she like the most

hope it helps!
good luck!
_________________
Ben
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Uresaii)

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mistery, but today is a gift...that is why we call it the present". -Tortoise Oogway

rrcoolj · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:36 am Post subject:

great advice but I want to ask A few more q's...

1. You said they need two water bowls should they be on the same side of the tank or on opposite sides?

2. Also For UVB is it alright to use a mercury vapor bulb?

Thanks for the advice so far!

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The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources

angelrose · Moderator Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1474

the mercury bulbs are excellent. I use the EXO TERRA 160w. they are best for large enclosures. as far as I know they only come in 125w and 160w. for the 40 gal it would fry your hatchling unless you hung it up somehow higher.

I have one large water bowl and I have it kinda in the middle. I tried the basking side they just pushed it away while basking. I tried the cool end and they would get alot of mulch in it all the time from digging. so far the middle is working for me.

rrcoolj · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:45 am Post subject: