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alexisonfire
07-06-2005, 02:39 PM
can anyone tell me the difference mabey with examples of the lighting required and the difference in infa red and black bulbs?

Rick
07-06-2005, 02:59 PM
You don't need an infra red or black light for a tegu.

You need a basking light. Some people just buy halogen spotlights like those used in your yard.

You may also need a UVB light unless your tegu is housed outside. UVB simulates certain spectrums of sunlight.

When the tegus I have are inside I use a compact flourescent bulb (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00061V53Y/thetegu-20) that fits right in a regular fixture, but you can also use a normal flourescent bulb like this one (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00076HTXI/thetegu-20).

Rick

alexisonfire
07-06-2005, 03:08 PM
thanks
and another thing do i turn off both light or just leave one on at night?
or do i leave the basking light on and the other off seeing how his hide sholud be dark?

Rick
07-06-2005, 03:17 PM
Both lights should be turned off in the evening. I pick up a electrical timer (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00013K68C/thetegu-20) and plug a power strip into that. I then plug my lights into the strip and set the timer to come on at 8am and off at 10pm.

In the fall or winter when it gets chilly in the evening you may want to pick up an heat pad for inside your enclosure, under the substrate to help keep him warm when the lights are off.

Rick

James_James
07-06-2005, 03:55 PM
The idea, when keeping reptiles in captivity, is to simulate their natural enviorment as much as possilbe. The infa red bulbs, put out high levels of heat, but no light visible to us. I beleive that reptiles can see infa red. The purpose of these black bulbs, are to be used at night, to simulate the night light (moonlight), hence, simulateing the day to night transer. These black, nocturnal bulbs can be useful, to put out heat, and provide nocturnal viewing.