A few cage questions

[Skyshadow]

I am in the process of building my first tegu cage and have a few questions.

Is there a type of paint I can use to water proof wood for the plywood walls?

I would like to use some branches from our chestnut tree for the enclosure but they are huge. If I bleach then soap and water then rinse and rinse and rinse, will that clean them?

I've heard ecoearth and top soil, which is best? And what is the best sand to soil ratio for digging?

 

[beardeddragon111]

1. I'd use drylock 2. That might work, there's a couple videos on how to do it on YouTube. 3. 75% topsoil 25% sand

 

[Skyshadow]

How deep should the bedding be for a young black and white

 

[beardeddragon111]

If you mean baby than about 3 inches. As a juvie/adult I think 8 inches is good. They will construct burrows, but not as much as most monitors.

 

[Skyshadow]

I'm getting mine from TegusOnly so it will probably not be a baby baby so I'll aim for 8". Do I deepen the substrate as it ages?

Also, I've heard various ideas about vents. Are they needed or no?

 

[Walter1]

Congrats. Tegusonly is a good source. Tegus like to have a snug hide. If you provide a sturdy hide box, it will most certainly use it. Send pics of your new one when it arrives.

 

[beardeddragon111]

You can deepen it if you want, 8 inches is just a min. Add vents .

 

[Skyshadow]

Thank you for all your help!!

 

[Skyshadow]

One more question lol.

Should the plywood support be on the outside or is inside ok?

Basking is supposed to be 100-115 hot correct? I read somewhere is better to use multiple smaller watt bulbs than one big one but most members seem to use one big one.

Then cool side I've seen it say between 70-80. Do you normally use a second bulb or does having one side that hot make a good gradient?

 

[beardeddragon111]

If you only have one bulb, a tegu can only heat up a part of its body. I think basking should be 110. I think support on the inside is fine, and did I mention its probably smart to seal the cracks with aquarium sealant? Well it is lol. Needing a bulb on the cool side depends on your houses temps and where its placed. Btw I'm no expert on building cages, I suck at anything carpentry, I've just researched it a lot.