Enclosure Strategy

[ierowe]

I want to build an enclosure 8x2.5x2.5 and would like ideas as to the strategy of light and heating element placement in a house this size.
Thanks, Nate

 

[DaveDragon]

I would go at least 3 feet wide. Your Tegu will be at least 3.5 feet long and would appreciate the room to turn around.

My enclosures have about 16" of vertical space above the mulch, with a 90W halogen basking bulb and a 48" ReptiSun 10 resting on 1/2" hardware cloth.

http://www.tegutalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=345

 

[ierowe]

So a better size would be 8x3x2.5?

 

[DaveDragon]

Mine are 7ft x 3ft because that's what I had room for. Then I built 2 more.

 

[ierowe]

OK Cool And where should the lights and heating be placed within the enclosure? Thanks for all the info

 

[DaveDragon]

I put the 90W halogen in a big dome on one end and the 4ft fixture next to it in the center if the enclosure. The cool end is a little dark but I've got a piece of plywood leaned up against one wall for a hide so it doesn't matter.

 

[ierowe]

Perfect! Now I have a picture in my head as to what needs to be done.

Thanks ,Nate

 

[DaveDragon]

Thanks Nate

Who's Nate?? :mrgreen:

 

[mschuld]

Maybe it's your other personality? :mrgreen:

 

[DaveDragon]

I think I left my other personality in my other pants!!

 

[ierowe]

This Nate aint in nobodies pants!! LOL

 

[ierowe]

Now for the problem of finding a good substrate. Cypress is not really available in Ca.

 

[scarecrow]

What part of Ca are you in? I noticed other people sometime having trouble getting cypress.

We live in San Diego and haven't had any problems getting to it; if you're around these parts, Pet Kingdom in point loma has it in big ol' bags

 

[scarecrow]

Also LLL Reptiles in Escondido has cypress. If you can't get to Esco they also sell everything online at <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.lllreptile.com">www.lllreptile.com</a><!-- w -->

 

[ierowe]

Scarecrow--Awesome Store!!! I called them ,Extremely helpful! Only about 45 mins from me. Thank you for the great info.( I was just in SD last weekend, I live in San Berdoo)
They suggested orchid bark and cypress mixture. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks Man

 

[RehabRalphy]

All of my cages are 8'x4'x4'. This gives them plenty of space to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

 

[PinkPunisher]

Your mixture of substrate sounds fine, you might want to throw in some topsoil as well if its in your area cheaply to save some money

My cage is also a bed! I used RehabRalphy's plan for the 8'x4'x4' and I added a ton of supports and bingo I've got my baby Red and my baby B/W and they're happy as can been, especially now that their sleeping so much more. I can't find Cypress mulch ANYWHERE here either so I get to buy reptile store bedding thats costs 5x more

Spencer

 

[scarecrow]

We use a mix of cypress and coconut bark. The coconut seems to come in two grades (really coarse and fine); we use the fine one. It's really soft and fluffy, like a light and spongy version of pete moss, and it holds moisture great(ly).

 

[ierowe]

Thanks I like the idea of cypress and orchid. Won't topsoil get the tegu dirty...dirt will fall and get the house dirty.

 

[DaveDragon]

I tried changing from cypress to dirt when our male Blue Tegu got impacted for the second time. He was always tracking dirt through his water, making mud. And he wouldn't burrow in it!! He looked very unhappy. I took it out after a week.