Terrarium set up

MO · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:39 pm Post subject: Terrarium set up

So, I found the perfect place to buy pre-cut enclosures for those of you mechanically challenged like myself! Check out boamaster.com. The guy was really nice and helpful and is making me an enclosure for my Beardie and eventually one for my Tegu.

He has some basic setups that he will custom design to your particular needs. I'll be ordering an enclosure 8'X3'X30". Mark, the owner, is cutting some holes in the top and placing screen over them for heat lights and UVB lights.

I have a question though about where to tell him to make the cutouts and how big to make them. Do you place the heat lights and UVB lighting at opposite ends of the tanks? Do you think the lights would be better mounted in the inside? I'm afraid to do that because it will only be 30" high and I wouldn't want it to get knocked off by a rambuctious tegu and start a fire or anything.

Anyway......any suggestions from the peanut gallery would be appreciated.

I don't have a Tegu yet but I'm one of those people that like to prepare waaaayyy in advance. Hopefully I can purchase a baby tegu from Rick next year since I missed this year.

Thanks for your time, Monique

Rick · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:40 pm Post subject:

I'd make the enclosure taller. I'd go 2.5 feet to 3 feet tall. Tegus love to dig and at 30 inches, if you give the tegis 12 inches of substrate to dig in, it leaves little room for anything else.

Rick
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MO · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:12 pm Post subject:

Okay. What about where the lights should go. Inside or outside? Basking at one end & UVB at the other or all grouped together?

Teiidae · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 7:23 am Post subject:

Here is a few shots of my Colombians enclosure - I am using 2 uvb lamps, 1 at the basking area, and 1 at the other end - As just 1 lamp was not lighting up the enclosure enough - they are mounted in the enclosure to the frame - hope this helps with some ideas ...

The lamps are turned off in these pics - It's early here lol

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MO · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:11 am Post subject:

So you've placed the UVB inside the enclosure! Arent you afraid your little monster will knock them down someday when your not home and........you get the picture. That would worry me to death! Really!!! I think I'll place mine on top outside, like I have been with my little beardie, Lyle Lovee.

Thanks for the info, Monique

Teiidae · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:29 am Post subject:

They are securely screwed to the frame and hard for me to get off, and even jumping the little monster can't reach them - On top of the enclosure works just as well - I've seen enclosures with the heat lamps in the enclosures - This I would not do ...
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Johelian · Retired Mod Joined: Nov 22, 2004 Posts: 848

I have all of my lighting in the enclosure. You have to make sure that its all secured in place though, or it will pose a risk (my tegu once knocked a light off its hook and singed the substrate...suffice to say, all lights are now secure).

Do bear in mind though that UVB cannot pass through glass, plastic or very fine mesh, so make sure the mesh youre using on the holes isnt too small or it will be a wasted effort.