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 #2083717


LilWheezy
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 More Lighting Schedule Questions

Ok so I have a young alli residing in a brand new 20 gallon tank complete with wire lid. I’ve only had it for about 3 weeks and the weather here in LA has been great. That was until a few days ago when it started raining and getting really cold. Living in an old house with wood floors makes my room pretty cold at night so I bought a reptile lamp and 75 watt UVA bulb for heat and put it on one side of the cage. However I’m concerned that it gets pretty cold in my room at night so I need to know what lighting schedule would be best. Should I leave the lamp on at night and off during day, leave it on 24/7, or follow the lighting schedule outside like mentioned in a previous post on here?

Also, next week (I;m broke on the moment after spending $120 on verything else for my alli) I will be purchasing the same exact lamp for a UVB bulb. What schedule should I follow with that one as well? Have them both on at the same time or alternate. I really need to know because I’m not home all the time so the majority of the lighting will be set on timers. Thanks!

By the way, here are some pics of my alli and the current setup:











10/14/09  03:08am

 #2084147


Hunter Breed
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   Message To: LilWheezy   In reference to Message Id: 2083717


 More Lighting Schedule Questions

i use a heat lamp that doesnt put out light so if its cold i can leave it on during the night but really its actually ok if it gets colder at night cause that what happens in the wild, i will leave my heat lamp on though on some really cold nights but i really dont think its necessary but i use it in the day
for lights i dont think it would be good to leave lights on 24/7 they need a night and day cycle, soo i just use uvb lights and a heat lamp if necessary
10/15/09  03:12am

 #2084980


Ameivaboy
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   Message To: Hunter Breed   In reference to Message Id: 2084147


 More Lighting Schedule Questions

Assuming you caught this lizard locally just follow the same photoperiod you experience with the sun. I have in the past had timers set for UV florescent lights to come on an hour before and go off an hour after the heat lamps do simulating sun up/sun down as well as light and temperature change one would experience naturally.
I would change that substrate your using to something a little more natural and can hold moisture a bit better.
I would also add a lot more hiding spots within the enclosure. I wouldnt really worry about it getting too cold as you’re gator lizard is accustomed to the temperatures of your area already. Having a couple hiding spots under places like the water dish or a log/rock partially submerged in dirt would provide a sorts of "thermal blanket" from any cold spells one might experience in Los Angeles.
10/17/09  01:00am

 #2085011


LilWheezy
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   Message To: Ameivaboy   In reference to Message Id: 2084980


 More Lighting Schedule Questions

Thanks guys. I’m actually in the process of adding more stuff for him/her to hide around in. I was also gonna change the substrate next weekend after I get paid to possibly bark. I’ve been doing alot of research and found you can add new stuff to the cage from outside as long as it is properly sanitized which is really cool.

Anyways, one more question for anyone who can answer it. As I previously mentioned, I have a 20 gallon tank with a 75 watt basking light. Now I need to pick up a UVB bulb to complete the lighting. Would a Zoo Med Repti Sun 10.0 be a good choice? It says it produces up to 10% UVB and 15% UVA so would I need to continue using my Zoo Med Basking lamp as well or can I just use the Repti Sun 10.0 by itself? And if I have to use both, should the Repti Sun 10.0 be on during the same time period as my basking lamp?

Sorry for all the questions. I really just want the best for my lizard. Thanks!
10/17/09  05:09am

 #2085330


Hunter Breed
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   Message To: LilWheezy   In reference to Message Id: 2085011


 More Lighting Schedule Questions

it sounds like the bulb youre talking about has both uvb and uva so i think you could just use that, im not 100% sure, but there would be no prob using this 10.00 bulb and the basking light at the same time, just check your temps to make sure you dont over heat, in the day time the cool end of the tank should be in the 70’s or even closer to 80’s and the warm end of the tank should be upper 80’s and the at the highest temp in the 90’s

my allies do spend a little time every day almost under the heat lamp which has temps in the 90’s when they are warm enough then they will move a little farther away



10/18/09  01:10am

 #2085366


LilWheezy
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   Message To: Hunter Breed   In reference to Message Id: 2085330


 More Lighting Schedule Questions

Thanks man, you’ve been a big help. Some of this info is hard to come by online and unfortunately nobody at the pet store has ever heard of anyone keepng an alli as a pet. haha. Thanks again.
10/18/09  03:35am

 #2085368


Hunter Breed
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   Message To: LilWheezy   In reference to Message Id: 2085366


 More Lighting Schedule Questions

no problem, youre right it is hard to find info on allies especially since they are not one of the more popular pet lizards, ive seen one or two books that have one paragraph on them, every time i get bored ill just type in alligator lizard into google or yahoo and look at every entry lol,
10/18/09  04:17am

 #2085369


Hunter Breed
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   Message To: LilWheezy   In reference to Message Id: 2085366


 More Lighting Schedule Questions

no problem, youre right it is hard to find info on allies especially since they are not one of the more popular pet lizards, ive seen one or two books that have one paragraph on them, every time i get bored ill just type in alligator lizard into google or yahoo and look at every entry lol,
10/18/09  04:17am


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