Enclosure Light Arrangement

[rmzsuzuki89]

I'm starting to plan out my Tegu's enclosure and need some advise on lighting. I plan on getting the Zoo-Med ReptiSun 10.0 bulb and want to know how long of one I should get, and how many. The enclosure will be 7' x 4' one side will have kind of a wedge as to not crowd the door opening in my room...Also, would I need a basking bulb to go along with that as well?

 

[rrcoolj]

I would suggest a 3-4ft strip light and yes you definatly need a basking bulb. Reptisuns don't emit any heat.

 

[rmzsuzuki89]

I would suggest a 3-4ft strip light and yes you definatly need a basking bulb. Reptisuns don't emit any heat.

That's what I figured, just wanted to make sure. This will be my first tegu and I wanna make sure everything is right.

And just one of that length will be enough?...And what basking bulb/s would you recommend?

 

[Toby_H]

I am also planning a 7' tank...

Keep in mind that UVB rays erode quickly over distance. So the higher you mount the UV light the less effective it is...

I plan to mount a 4' fluorescent fixture/bulb (non UV) centered at the front top. This way it will shine back into the tank and will not be visible from the outside of the tank. This will prevent any glare to people viewing into the tank.

Then centered on the back wall... 12" above the mulch... I will mount a 3' fixture to hold a UBV bulb. I will box that fixture in with 1" x lumber (painted with grey Drylock). The lumber will extend down to make the bulb not viewable from the front of the tank again preventing a glare.


Tegus can tell that the UBV bulb is a source of vit B. I'm sure they don't put it together like that but they realize it is satisfying a need they have. My girl "basks" beneath the fluorescent bulb that emits no heat very frequently. I've always had it so it is within 12" of her basking spot.


If you want further detail on how I am setting up my lighting or other details, you can see my design plan in a thread in the Enclosure section titled Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??Reviews WantedÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?Â

 

[rmzsuzuki89]

I am also planning a 7' tank...

Keep in mind that UVB rays erode quickly over distance. So the higher you mount the UV light the less effective it is...

I plan to mount a 4' fluorescent fixture/bulb (non UV) centered at the front top. This way it will shine back into the tank and will not be visible from the outside of the tank. This will prevent any glare to people viewing into the tank.

Then centered on the back wall... 12" above the mulch... I will mount a 3' fixture to hold a UBV bulb. I will box that fixture in with 1" x lumber (painted with grey Drylock). The lumber will extend down to make the bulb not viewable from the front of the tank again preventing a glare.


Tegus can tell that the UBV bulb is a source of vit B. I'm sure they don't put it together like that but they realize it is satisfying a need they have. My girl "basks" beneath the fluorescent bulb that emits no heat very frequently. I've always had it so it is within 12" of her basking spot.


If you want further detail on how I am setting up my lighting or other details, you can see my design plan in a thread in the Enclosure section titled Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??Reviews WantedÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?Â

Thanks, very helpful...I'm gonna go check out your build log, maybe I'll borrow the idea, tweaking it for my specs, if you don't mind.

 

[Toby_H]

Don't mind at all and feel free to ask any questions. Also please share the ideas you have as you tweak it, I may borrow some of yours as well.

 

[rmzsuzuki89]

Don't mind at all and feel free to ask any questions. Also please share the ideas you have as you tweak it, I may borrow some of yours as well.

Will do. I was planning on doing a build log for it.

Idk if anyone here does that, but I do a build log for every car audio build I do on car audio forums. So I guess if anyone wants I'll do a build log.