Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm still researching and planning for a Uro. I'm a little stumped on something. I understand the lighting and heating requirements, but I just can't decide what products to buy. I was wondering what everyone else uses for their Uro's to provide heat, light, UVB, etc.

I plan on housing my Uro in a 75 gallon aquarium with a sand substrate - any suggestions?

Thanks.

I'm a big fan of the mercury vapor UVB lights. These bulbs kill two birds with one stone and let you heat as well as supply UVB light in one fixture. I've recently given the T Rex brand another try after past bad experiences after being told that they have switched manufacturers and have addressed the problems that the old bulbs had. Out of three T Rex bulbs purchased in august one has already burned out and am awaiting a response from T Rex on a replacement. I'd stick with Zoo Med or the Capture The Sun bulbs that Big Apple sells if you do decide to go with a mercury vapor UVB bulb.

I have a 2.5 X 2.5 foot enclosure with a 100 watt bulb. Just make sure you get a bulb thats up there regarding UV. I use an 8.0. You should strive for that too. The 4.0-6.0 range isn't gonna cut it. Besides, witht he 8.0, you don't even have to have it on every day. In this way I've stretched the life of my UV bulb. I also put them in tempoary outdoor enclosures sometimes to catch some sun.

About the sand substrate, it won't hold it's shape and its a bit dusty. You should mix some peat or other chemical free (i.e., miracle grow) soil in their (50%) or even aspen wood chips. I have 30% peat and 20% aspen with my sand and they seem to like it a lot.
-----
Mark Martinez
University of Florida

.
-----
Mark Martinez
University of Florida

...
-----

Beautiful Dragons

I currently have a 150w zoo-med basking light on one end, a 50w basking light halfway down, and a 36" 7.0 UVB fluorescent down the middle of an 80 gallon tank. HOWEVER, I'm thinking of switching to a regular fluorescent just for light, a flood for heat, and an MV bulb for heat/UVB. I've seen the results on UVB tests (see Veronica's beautifuldragons website), and I like the higher UVB output of the murcury vapor bulbs. I have an 18" high tank that must have a top (I have cats), so the fluorescents don't reach very far.
-----
Torey
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

A heating and UVB/UVa Ligthing system that has worked for my desert Lizards since the 1990s is as follow:
(all except one Flourescest bulb can be purchased a Menards fairly inexpensive)
1. Heat/Spot lights in a Ceramice dome ( dome is around $5 to $7)
Westinghouse brands: 75 watt spot light $14 ea., Halogen 50 watt flood $4.50, and three packs of 75 watt Halogens for $13.

2. 48" shop light, holds two 48" Flourescent Blubs (holds bulbs up to 1 1/1" diameter) with it's own internal Ballast for under $20.

3. Night Spot ligths: Westinghouse (Red or Blue) 50 watt $2.60, 75 watt $3.40, 100 watt $4.50.

4. Flourescent UBA.UVB: Verilux 48" long for $13.00, GE Blackligh (BLB) $10 * Please note BLB shoould only be used for up 2 to 4 hrs per day; this is and intense unltraviolet shich I have used to induce breeding with Sungazers, Pagona Barbata, Sudan Plated Lizards, Ornate Uromastix not for every Species.
* Normally I use Verilux (94.5 CRI & 6500 Kelvin) with Reti Glo 8.0 (33% UVA & 8.0% UVB), this combination has proven the best with a Verilux or Halogen spot/Flood light. Flourescents last about one year and do not lose ratings dramatically dunring this amout of time in use. The only other Flourescent I recommend is Lumichrome 1XX (CRI 98 & 6500 Kelvin) but needs electronic start, I don't remember if it works in shop light as I stoped using them in 1996. David Blair uses these alot with Cyclura, he also sells them and you may want his professional opinon. I don't know anyone else with the Lumichrome. Hope this helps.

100-150 watt activeUVB bulbs and 48"/ 40 watt Reptisun 5.0 and reptiglo 8.0
the flood bulbs are used in conjunction with 27 watt spiral florescents on a track .

The 48" florescents run the length on the enclosure.
The old picture show a halogen track used before I put in the mercury vapor bulbs...

Did you notice an increase in positive behavior once you switched to the mercury vapor bulbs? Also, check your email, I sent you a message =)

Peter

I believe I did. i did it last spring so maybe it was the light maybe it was just the change in seasons......
I have them in all cages now. So I guess I am a convert.....
Ed

-----
0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

Thanks
Jack
-----
0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

Thanks!
Built the cages....Since replaced the acrylic windows with glass...
Preformed concrete paving stones from home depot.

I've Since replaced them with a wood hide and slate in the basking sections. and the newspaper floor replaced with play sand...

Thanks for the answer

Did you get rid of the Preformed concrete paving stones for slate?? Why did you do this? Any problems with it?
Also why did you replace the acrylic windows for glass?

Jack
-----
0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

I got rid of the cement stones in an effort to control daytime temperatures during the summer.
The acrylic panels were so badly scratched from the uro's claws they were really pointless.
Ed

N/P
-----
~Sarah
1.1 Mali Uromastyx (Draco and Pumpkin)
1.0 Russian Tortoise (Pookie)
8.11.22 Millipedes (9 different species)