Mercury-vapor / Fluorescent

[Khoilie]

I just grabbed a 125w Professional Series Solar Glo Mg-vapor bulb for a steal of a deal. Im already using a 48" 10.0 fluorescent. Should I use both?, just one (if so, which is generally considered best?) or alternate?

thanks

 

[james.w]

I use both, I have a 160W SolarGlo and a 48" ReptiSun. I would say if you only use one, to use the MVB as long as he is basking under it.

 

[Khoilie]

hes not really big on basking right now (from what I've seen). i dont know if its just because of winter or what. hes spent the past 2 days sleeping in his water which is pretty chilly to the touch. the ambient temp is 75F on the cool side, where his water is. the actual temp of the water i have no clue but he sure does love it.

 

[Khoilie]

any other opinions? im thinking about returning the fluorescent ReptiGlo 10.0 light because when I have it on he constantly tries to smash it or knock it down. Im thinking its hurting his eyes or its just too much light and he doesnt like it. On the other hand, having just the Solar Glo Mercury vapor seems like its not enough light because it is a completely different kind of light. I duno, i could use some opinions here lol.

thanks

 

[laurarfl]

As for the soaking, is the humidity low in his cage? Move the water over to the warm side which will increase humidity as the water evaporates and warm the water so he is not too chilly.

He may be trying to jump onto the fluorescent light, just because it is something to do.

 

[Khoilie]

i need to get a humidity meter, i have no idea what its at but i do mist his cage daily.
I find him basking alot more lately since i put the mercury vapor bulb in so i guess its doing its job lol
does anyone elses tegus swat at there UV Fluorescent until u turn em off? i mean stand right up on his hind legs and swing or climb up onto his log and jump at it and when he makes contact its a loud BANG not a gentle tap... hes not playin around, hes trying to break it lol

 

[roastedspleen]

you should probably move it so he doesn't break it.

 

[james.w]

How close is the fluorescent? What are the temps in your cage? How big is the cage?

 

[Khoilie]

its about 19" from the substrate.
basking spot is about 95-100. cool side is 75
dimensions are 5x2x2

 

[james.w]

I have no advice on why he might be attacking the light.

 

[Khoilie]

i think laura was right. he is a bastard like that. I need to find him a female to play with asap, hes so destructive lol

 

[laurarfl]

Well, the female tegus I have did that too when they were younger and my ameiva climbs up on his light like a branch and sleeps behind it. It seem that my young tegu calms down after she been able to eat and free roam awhile. Sometimes a larger enclosure is in order.

 

[Khoilie]

Im actually in the process of designing a larger enclosure right now. The 1st one i built with little to no knowledge of Tegus or their requirements and I did pretty good for guessing most of it. But now that I've had a few months to ask questoins and do alot of research Im confident in building a dream enclosure. With the space I have available I can do a 7x3x3. I'll have to build it in the area it will placed because of its size which might prove a bit difficult and messy. As soon as i free up some funds to do this 100% proper I will be on my way. I plan on doing a full build thread for people that would like a walkthrough and help building there own instead of paying hundreds, sometimes over 1k on a custom built enclosure. I think once hes in the massive terrarium, and has a pretty, blue female to have his way with everyday he will calm down with the douchebag antics and focus more on her and his new tegu dream house lol