Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 75 gallon tank (4'x18"x21". I know this is not a suitable set-up for a adult B&W Tegu but I am purchasing a baby. I have several questions. How long will a baby tegu last in a 75 gallon tank? What type of fluorescent lights are required? Can the fluorescent lights purchased at Home Depot suffice? I will be using a outside flood lamp for heating purposes. What type of substrate is good?

"How long will a baby tegu last in a 75 gallon tank?"
I can't really answer that question definitely. Maybe CrimsonWolf can help. I'm assuming that you are referring to a larger Argentine B/W tegu...He might be able to last in there the first year. If you are purchasing now, then you likely have a baby that hatched at the end of last summer. I have one of those hibernating right now and he's still pretty small and green. When he wakes up, though, he's going to eat like a horse and grow like a weed. Tegus are pretty active and need a lot of room to move around. By the time he hibernates next Oct/Nov, I'm sure he'll be at least 2 ft long. A ft tegu in a 75 gal might be tight squeeze.

"What type of substrate is good?"
I like to use Cypress Mulch. It's pretty easy to clean, but it can be a little messy. It holds humidity well when it's misted and the tegus like to bury down in it. It's cheap, and I can pick it up at Home Depot.

"What type of fluorescent lights are required? Can the fluorescent lights purchased at Home Depot suffice? I will be using a outside flood lamp for heating purposes."
Hmm...I think you are referring to the full spectrum lights at Home Deopt. Nope, they do not have enough UVB output. I would look for a Repti-Sun 5.0 bulb and change it every 6 months. I put the long bulbs in a fixture I buy from Home Deopt, but I don't use the HD bulbs.
The other option is a Mercury Vapor bulb. They are a little more expensive, but combine heat and UV. I'm not sure I would use in a 75 gallon, but in a larger enclosure.
As for your heat, check the wattage and heat output of the flood light. I use standard soft white bulbs for heat. You don't want too bright light for your lizard nor too much heat.

Enjoy your little friend!

"As for your heat, check the wattage and heat output of the flood light. I use standard soft white bulbs for heat. You don't want too bright light for your lizard nor too much heat."

I am curious to why you suggest staying away from a brightly illuminated basking spot???

As far as the beginning post goes.

A well fed hatchling tegu (argentine/red) should outgrow a tank that size in several months.

Cypress is the most commonly suggested substrate but I haver never used it (it isnt available in my area) I opt for redwood mulch which holds a decent burrow and retains moisture well.
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0.1 Tupinambis teguixin
0.1 Tupinambis merinae
1.1 Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii
1.1 Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus
0.1 Lamprophis fuliginosus
1.1 Heterodon nascius
1.0 python regius
1.4 Eublepharis macularis
0.0.1 Phyllomedusa sauvagii
2.1.4 Chalcides occelatus
1.2 Pictus geckos
0.1 Timon lepidus
1.1.1 Podarcis sicula Campestris
0.1 Sternotherus odoratus

I actually went with a Savannah Monitor instead. I bought a bag of cypress mulch (very cheap). A 150 watt flood light and a 48 inch fluorescent fixture with a reptisun 10.0. One concern I have is the cypress mulch. Will the mulch catch on fire from the flood lamp? It has small strands that look like they would catch on fire easily. and is scaring me a little bit.

I've never had a problem with mulch, but I keep mine misted for tegus and there is a pretty decent distance between the mulch and the lights.

It's been quite a few years since I've kept Savs, but I don't think mulch is the best choice for them. I think (but not positive) that washed play sand mixed with topsoil is the preferred substrate. Savs like to burrow and they come from a drier climate than tegus. Moist mulch is going to be too humid for them, and soil/sand mixed properly will hold a burrow that they can dig. I would ask the folks on that forum.

I didn't really mean anything in particular about the light bulb statement. When I think of flood lights, I think of those huge lights in my yard that are really intense. As herpetoculturists, we are setting up an environment for an animal that they live in almost 24/7. Harsh lights are bad for the eyes.

I dont see how the basking spot being illuminated well would cause any eye problems. as long as they have access to get away from the most illuminated part (as they should regardless to get away from the heat) there should be no issue whatsoever with too much illumination.
In fact I beleive many keepers overlook illumination levels within a basking spot,often times underestimating the (possible) beneifits of it. Seeing people use things like heat emitters and red bulbs as primary baskling spots for basking lizards (i.e. tegus and most teiids) is just absurd to me. It has been noted in some basking reptiles that animals with access to a well illuminated basking spot vs. ones that werent appear to thrive more in captivity and have better breeding results. Just something to ponder.
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0.1 Tupinambis teguixin
0.1 Tupinambis merinae
1.1 Thamnophis sirtalis pickeringii
1.1 Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus
0.1 Lamprophis fuliginosus
1.1 Heterodon nascius
1.0 python regius
1.4 Eublepharis macularis
0.0.1 Phyllomedusa sauvagii
2.1.4 Chalcides occelatus
1.2 Pictus geckos
0.1 Timon lepidus
1.1.1 Podarcis sicula Campestris
0.1 Sternotherus odoratus

Perhaps we are miscommunicating.

I illuminate all of my basking lights save for my 6ft enclosures for my burmese python and boa who use radiant heat panels in the ceiling. I am not referring to a properly lit basking area. When I mentioned it in the first post, it was because I interpreted the original poster's comments about flood lights in the only way I think of flood lights (flooding an area with light). I think I clarified that in my second post, but I could be wrong.

Moderation is the key to all things. A bright basking area is one thing, it helps with circadian rhythm, appetite, etc. But if you have an animal that requires a basking spot for heat and simultaneously provide a light that is too bright, you are risking eye damage. UVC can cause eye damage to the retina and cornea, but exposure to too bright light over a period of time causes glaucoma and retinal damage, too

Again, I'm not talking about typical reptile basking lights and 100 watt incandescent bulbs. I'm referring to spotlights, and similar products, which I think is what I was confused about in the beginning.

Thanks for letting me air my cents. Otherwise, we must just agree to disagree.

nm

I USE A RED BULB FOR BASKING BUT I ALSO USE A 48" EXOTERRA 5.0 FLUORESCENT LAMP FOR AMBIENT LIGHT AND HAVE HAD VERY GOOD BREEDING RESULTS WITH THIS SET UP. FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS NOW IT SEEMED WHEN I USED A MERCURY VAPOR FLOOD LAMP (REP PRO) MY TEGUS WANTED TO BURROW AND GO INTO THEIR HIDE MOST OF THE TIME. NOW THEY ARE OUT AND ABOUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. AND AS FAR AS SUBSTRATE GOES I USE
A NATURAL BARK SUBSTRATE FROM HD ( W/O ANY DYES) AND I MIX IT WITH A COCONUT HUSK SUBSTRATE FOR HUMIDITY. MIKE