heating

[roastedspleen]

what should i use to regulate heat around the cage? will i need something else or will one reptisun 10.0 do to provide all the heat? and will an under tank heat mat be okay? i have 1 under my 65 gallon tank

 

[james.w]

A repti-sun will provide little to no heat, and Tegus burrow to get away from the heat so an UTH is a no go.

---

MVBs work best, but you can also use halogen flood lights. Are you planning on using the coil or tube type Repti-Sun?

 

[roastedspleen]

tube type

 

[Rhetoric]

I don't think a UTH will work with a tegu. I have never had my tegus in aquarium style enclosures before. I do not think a UTH will be effective in heating the enclosure. I'm not sure about tegus but I know with beardies they are frowned upon. Something about beardies not having the same nerves and not being able to tell if they're being burned.
I would go with a regular heat bulb, they're only like $8 or something. Since the enclosure is smaller I wouldn't worry about an MVB bulb, I think that it would be too much heat and make it more difficult to regulate the temps. Are you using a screen top? I've read that the screen tops tend to filter out the UVB rays. A UVB tube alone will not produce much heat, the bulb might get warm but it won't be anywhere close to the amount you need for a tegu.

---

James, do you think a 125w would be too much heat for a 65g tank?

---

I'm not sure if the MVBs go much lower

 

[roastedspleen]

okay and yes its a screen top but i dont really need the screen

 

[james.w]

You will need something on the top (not the screen) to keep heat and humidity inside the enclosure.

 

[Rhetoric]

I would definitely have a lid. Strange_evil posting this link in another thread
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?90187-Tank-Screen-Top-Foil-Treatment-Tutorial
You might be able to mod it so you can use it as a top and provide unfiltered uvb. I'm not too sure what materials filter out UVB and what don't. There might be a difference between a finer mesh and a wider grate.

 

[montana]

My tegu burrows to get away from the heat [when outside in the sun .. ]
I know of no one that uses a mat heater ...

I wonder why when you tell people what works ..Why they always try to do some thing that isn`t going to work ...A good MVB bulb is all you need ...

 

[roastedspleen]

okay but than the uvb is pointless and i would end up with a lizard with MBD

 

[Rhetoric]

And MBV bulb will produce UVB and UVA. Some keepers only use MBV bulbs.

---

An* mbv

 

[montana]

And MBV bulb will produce UVB and UVA. Some keepers only use MBV bulbs.

---

An* mbv

---

I caught that right away I did it there is no such thing as a mercury vapor bulb bulb

 

[roastedspleen]

mercury vapor bulbs?

 

[Rhetoric]

lolol look at my typos. Yes mercury vapor bulbs. Sometimes my fingers get too excited when typing

 

[montana]

Thats what you need a powersun or a megaray cost you fifty bucks [thats what it is ..]

You would be better to come up with a four foot enclosure and buy a 160 watt bulb than to buy a smaller one and not have it be big enough in a month or so ... There should be no need for night heat .. Run your bulb 12 hours a day it should last you a year [more if he hibernates] I personaly wouldn`t use a florescent at all but if you do you still need the MVB.

 

[Rhetoric]

If the area you keep the tegu in stays bright enough I wouldn't worry about bulbs extending the length of the enclosure. My enclosures are in the garage and since its a bit darker in there I have bulbs going across the enclosure to keep it light enough for tegu activity.

 

[roastedspleen]

i dont have the money right now 31 days is good enough

 

[james.w]

What do you mean 31 days is good enough?

 

[herpgirl2510]

No you need a mercury uvb bulb right away unless you take your tegu out everyday in the sun. Trust me this is going to be the least of your expenses as your tegu get bigger. I never used a glass tank I built a wooden lage enclosure right away so much easier to control humidity and temperatures.

 

[roastedspleen]

....i dont even have the tegu yet stop saying i need another cage PLEASE.... my dad is recovering from getting hit by a car and once hes done recovering in a week i can start building the cage

 

[Rhetoric]

i dont think anyone is trying to upset you, they just want to help you save time and money in the long run. its your tegu, do what you want with it. hope your dad feels better!