Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi folks. I'm a new member here. I have seen Uros in pet stores for several years and finally decided to take the plunge and get a pair of Malis - they seem like really neat animals! I expect to receive them next week, but I've constructed a habitat which I've added a pic of... It is approximately 60" long by 18" deep by 15" high. It is primarily white pine. The door is glazed w/ 3/16" clear tempered glass. I've got it lit w/ a double 48" flourescent balluster w/ an EcoTerra 8.0 and a regular cool white bulb, and it's heated w/ an EcoTerra 100w tight-beam and a 50w infared heat bulb. This is yielding a basking area of ~120 degrees, a warm end of ~101 degrees and a cool end of ~90 degrees. Haven't added the substrate, hides, or other decorations yet, but those should be sorted out this week... What do you think? It's my first real attempt at a carpentry project!

Let's try that once more...

That's a lot of light...in the picture! Looks like you're well on your way. Look out, they can be addicting. Only suggestion, I'd adjust so that the low end of the gradient can get down to around 80. They can always heat up in the basking area, but they can't leave the cage of they're too hot. Just a thought. Can wait to see better picts. Set up is half the fun!
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII

Glad to have you !

Did a NICE job, I agree with Jimbo, they sure are addicting, watch out, you will be building more and more enclosures, Hahahhaa , hehehehe !

I wish you all the best with that new pair, and hope you will post some pics of them for us !

Alot of NICE , helpful , experienced people here, if you need anything just HOLLER !

Enjoy
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Eve

>>Only suggestion, I'd adjust so that the low end of the gradient can get down to around 80. They can always heat up in the basking area, but they can't leave the cage of they're too hot. Just a thought.

Thanks for the suggestion Jimbo. I actually get pretty close to that without the 50watt infared kicker... but then the hot end drops to 96-97, and the basking spot goes to around 115. This temp adjustment is tricky! I'm going to add the substrate this evening tho and see how that alters the temp gradient...

..."but then the hot end drops to 96-97, and the basking spot goes to around 115."

That's pretty close. I'd go with that, and look into getting that extra 5° from the basking light. You can achieve this by lowering it slightly, more wattage and raising it, putting a dome around it (if it doesn't already have one). I'd be more worried about the uros not being able to cool off. Substrate shouldn't really effect the temps (maybe at first morning while it's still cool) as you should be taking ambient temps anyway.
Also, another note, though not mandatory, it's good practice that when introducing two uros, that you provide two basking spots, feed bowls and hides to minimize stress incase they don't get along. They may get along right away, but it's a thought to keep in mind (didn't mean to throw a wrench in the mix). I just got a cage a week or so ago and put a male and female together. It's only 4'x2'x18" and I was able to get the good gradient with the before mentioned needs.
-Jim
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII

You know, I'd amlost definately go without the "kicker" as I'm assuming you don't have any "furniture" in teh cage yet, right? Well, usually, basking areas are elevated a bit, which puts the uro that much closer to the bulb. You may find that once the cage is set up, temps are different. I always get the set up close to the way I think will work, then tweak it a bit.
-Jim
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII

>>You know, I'd amlost definately go without the "kicker" as I'm assuming you don't have any "furniture" in teh cage yet, right?

Not exactly - I had the basking rock at finish height in from the start so that I'd have a good read on the temp in that area. I'm going to keep the "kicker" for now - I added the sand last night and for what ever reason it stabilized both ends a bit. The hot end got up to ~100 and the cool end stayed down ~85. I'll continue checking as I add the hides and a secondary platform, but I think from all I've read that is a good temp range.

Can't wait to see the finished cage...

>>>>You know, I'd amlost definately go without the "kicker" as I'm assuming you don't have any "furniture" in teh cage yet, right?
>>
>>Not exactly - I had the basking rock at finish height in from the start so that I'd have a good read on the temp in that area. I'm going to keep the "kicker" for now - I added the sand last night and for what ever reason it stabilized both ends a bit. The hot end got up to ~100 and the cool end stayed down ~85. I'll continue checking as I add the hides and a secondary platform, but I think from all I've read that is a good temp range.
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII