other heat source

[Dave]

I just took my 19" Leo out of his 10 gallon tank, and put him in a 24"- 24"-18" cage. i put clear thick plactic around three sides and 50% of the top. frunt left open. I have a 60 watt, basting bulb and a heat rock on one side that i want to get rid of. what is the best way to heat at night or on cold days. for that size cage. will some kind of light bulb work.

[Tesa]

Dave,
I can't tell you how glad I am that you are getting Leo out of the 10 gallon tank, however, the new cage is still less than half as big as what he needs.

I would suggest getting rid of the heatrock immediately. See the following link for more details on the danger they pose.
tesa.proboards24.com/index.cgi?board=health&action=display&thread=1079982215

A standard 60-75 watt household bulb will be fine for heat. Just keep a thermometer directly under the basking light and raise or lower the wattage as necessary to adjust the temperature so that it is between 90-95.
Generally speaking, people keep their houses warm enough that you shouldn't need heat at night.

As previously stated, this new cage is still WAY too small for Leo. He needs to be able to move around in order to be healthy. Just like a human couldn't live a decent life in a closet.
Do you know about thier need for UVB lights?
What kinds of food are you giving him?
Frankly, I'm very concerned for his health.

[Merlin]

I agree with Tesa, you are going ot need a much larger cage, and soon. They grow like weeds when they are young.

My preference for heating iguanas is a ceramic heat emitter. All heat no light. They are a bit pricey up front but they last for years. You will need a fixture with a porcelin/ceramic socket. It will melt a regular plastic type.

[Dave]

Leo gets 75% collard greens, 20% turnip, parsley, calenta, small amount kale, green beans, carots, squash , peas, fruits- pear, canalop, grapes. he has grown 3" in the 2 month i have had him. the pet store i got him at said he was 5 months old. he gets a bath every nite. and plays out of his cage 1 to 2 hours, he eats every thing in about 4 hrs, I have a freind making him a larger cage at this time. 4'-5'-6' witch should be done in a month. and i did not know about a uv light what kind do i get.[ thanks ].

[Dave]

Are the 20 watt, super uv coil lamps any good.

[Merlin]

The coils are just a fancy flourescent. They are fine for something small like a cham. They really don't have the range for something the size of an iguana. I use the 4 ft reptisun 5.0 or Iguana light 5.0. They are essentially the same bulb. there is also the new Super UV bulbs that sound promising but I have no experience with those. Either way you need to get UV light on him NOW. With out UVB radiation they cannot process the calcium in their diet and end up sucking it out of their bones. Its known as MBD and it isn't pretty.

[Dave]

got the new lights today, that Merlin sugested. Took Leo to the vet. the vet stated he was in great health.Changed the plans on the cage. found four patio doors in their frame, for 250.00 have started building the frame to put them in, with a wood floor the top will be wire the doors open at all sides with screens will have 4, 48" 5.0 uvb lights, two bastin areas, reular lights, cooling fan. shelfs for basting area. and a drift wood tree in side with more goodies. should be completed in two weeks. when i get back in town. have to go to the east cost for a week.