Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just recently had a really sweet iggy waltz into my life (almost literally- but thats another story) and am trying to build a cage for him. Got the framework mostly done, but now am thinking about the lighting, etc. and am not sure what will be best. The cage, at least for now, will be in my living room. I had originally wanted to mount all fixtures inside the cage itself partly because of looks and partly because of cats- very curious ones! problem is my budget is getting tight and time is getting short- he is currently staying in a way-to-small cage at nite and when nobody is home and really hates it. can anyone give me some advice on CHE's, basking bulbs, UVB lights? strip or spot? what wattage should I be looking at? The finished product should be about 6ft hi, 3ft wide, 4ft long (give or take) and the bottom 1/2 will be covered and the top 1/2 wil be mesh.
thanks!!! ~Teresa

Hi Theresa

First hand experience speaking here. Don't go with a mesh top. You will NEVER be able to tweek your humidity level to where you need it. They will get plenty of fresh air movement through the crevices and with you going in and out feeding and cleaning and stuff. With the mesh top you will have a never ending battle trying to provide the proper percentage of humidity.

I'm in the process of designing a large enclosure myself. Your enclosure will be a bit too small. If you can squeeze in more footage try as much as you can. According to our great iguana officionado Melissa Kaplan the enclosure should be, at least 6 feet tall, 3 feet deep (front to back) and 1.5 to 2 times wide the iguanas over all length.

Lights, in my opinion, with curious kitties, I'd go with internal lights with protective screens on each dome. If you go with a huge strip of lights make sure that it has a screen guard between the iguana and the bulbs.

The two most important factors I think is to get their temp. gradient right, (well 3 things) their humidity level right and their diet. No proteins ...maybe a crickent snack every couple of months, and NO lettuce, spinach, or brocolli.

I hope that helps.

See ya

I agree with Indigon,

however, when having a non-mesh top enclosure, monitor the temperatures carefully at first, because if it gets too hot, you can literally cook the animal.

Make sure the UV is not too close to the animal at the basking spot, or in general... UV bulbs can burn like sun burns, as well as burn the retinas.

-IJ

I had wondered about the humidity issues but wasnt sure. I think after its done I'm going to create something that can cover the mesh and be removed later. the original idea was that this encosure will only last about a year and then be put outside when I loose my mind enough to start a bigger, better one. (he is not full grown by far- only about 3ft long right now). Hopefully by then the entire family will have been moved into a bigger, better enclosure thus creating more room for the bigger, better ig space- maybe he'll even get his own room!!
what is your opinion on the powersun UVB/heat bulbs? is that better than the seperate heat and UVB sources? It looks like it would be easier (and cheaper, since I already have spare clamp lights)for me, but I'm affraid that I would a)over heat him and b)not get enough UVB from it.
~Teresa

At 3 feet it technicallt already needs a full-adult enclosure, but yours will still marginally do ok for a little while.

To block the humidity in, a simple cover over the mesh will do. Glass, (ply)wood, plastic (as long as it's not too close to heat and won't melt). However leave a small opening for circulation and some heat to escape, to avoid cooking the animal, making it too humid and moist, too smelly, and more hygenic.

I checked out the Powersun, and although it is a very neat product, it is not applicable for your enclosure. This is a very powerful bulb, and it will literally fry your iguana's retina and sun-burn it in such a "small" enclosure. As they state, the Powersun is best suited for VERY large or even room-sized enclosures, where there is sufficient safe space between the animal and the laight/heat source.

Go with their Reptisun 5.0 singles, or their Compacts that provide both UVB and Reptisun light, in a clamp-like application.

Check it all out:
http://www.zoomed.com/html/powersun_uv.php

Once he reaches 4 feet it will be imperative to put it in a very large enclosure, but large enclosures are the most fun to accessorize and creatively build to your own specifications!

-IJ