| Member |
Message |
|
#2262649
Alxbz
View Profile
|
My first green iguana. 
Since I was about 13 I’ve wanted an green iguana so badly but my parents wouldn’t have it. I browsed google search green iguanas numerous times throughout the years and read about them an admired pictures, now 21 I heard bad stories of buying from pet stores, when my little sister who went to the mall texted me and said a reptile store had just opened I was excited and decided to finally get one I’ve read so much about them especially recently as I wanted to be prepared. I figured building it’s home would be easier and less costly than buying one but boy was I wrong, having little experience in building I was a bit overwhelmed and spent easily over 150$ on materials the building itself was frustrating finally finished its 3x2x1.5 though I know its temporary its plenty big for a baby green iguana. I chopped off some branches boiled water and filled the bathtub with them with a small
Amount of bleach since I read this was good to kill any bacteria that might have been on the tree then lay layed then out in the sun to dry. After everything was set and done including UVB lights and a heating lamp we finally took a trip to the reptile store asked about baby green iguanas Apperantly they had just came in he actually had us wait while he brought them out and put them in the tank right infront of us I was extremely excited what I wanted for so many years was right infront of me and almost mine and after forkig over about 34$ a green iguana was finally in my hand I couldn’t beleive. After a short drive home we finally Placed it in its home. Even though I’ve done so much reasearch actually having it makes me nervous I wanna make sure everything is perfect for it. I know that currently its scared so after placing some water and food we left it alone. I chopped up bell pepper banana and strawberries into tiny peices is there a specific food that is more important than the other? It currently seems to want to find a way out I’m sure it’s normal? Since its not used to its new home and being scared and all. I guess I just want reassurance that everything is normal any advice or tips would help.
|
|
04/13/12 07:41pm
|
|
|
#2262650
IguanaRama
View Profile
|
Message To: Alxbz In reference to Message Id: 2262649
My first green iguana.
Well fruit should be a minimal amount of it’s diet get leafy greens like collard greens,mustard greens, dandelion greens etc. Look at the food chart on the -new owners post- and try and buy the staple foods they have listed. Also make sure to leave him alone for at least a week only go in the cage to clean, change water, and to feed. But other than the food thing you seem to be doing things right thus far.
|
|
04/13/12 08:18pm
|
|
|
#2262656
Alxbz
View Profile
|
Message To: IguanaRama In reference to Message Id: 2262650
My first green iguana.
On quick question about the heating lamp. I just noticed the bulb I got says "now with halogen" I tried to reasearch what this ment but didn’t have much luck other than it allows the bulb to last longer and Something about it prouducing less heat should I get a normal incandescent bulb? It also gives off a smell of almost like a burning smell the lamp holds a bulb of up to 125 watts and te bulb itself is 75 watts
|
|
04/13/12 09:17pm
|
|
|
#2262676
Milan
View Profile
|
Message To: Alxbz In reference to Message Id: 2262656
My first green iguana.
Congrats there’s nothing more exciting then bringing a baby home! To answer the bulb question I prefer mercury vapor bulbs. They are supior in every way haha. Although in a cage that small you may need to do some playing around with distance to make sure it’s not too hot. I keep it up higher on my igs enclosure and close on my beardies because he likes his basking spot HOT like up to 120 hot which you can’t really get with those screwy looking bulbs lol. You came to the right place everyone here is very nice and knowledgeable. Also be sure to mist the cage often and give him baths once hes more settled in. Looking forward to some pics!!
|
|
04/14/12 12:16am
|
|
|
#2262739
Tempestborn
View Profile
|
Message To: Milan In reference to Message Id: 2262676
My first green iguana.
anything that smells like burning usually is. i don’t trust that fixture/bulb at all. definitely replace it. and congrats on your new baby.
jesse
|
|
04/14/12 08:50pm
|
|
|
#2262845
Really
View Profile
|
Message To: Tempestborn In reference to Message Id: 2262739
My first green iguana.
I’m with Jesse. Don’t trust anything that smells wrong.
Congratulations on your new baby and we look forward to seeing pictures! It’s so nice to hear about people who did research and planning before getting a new baby!
|
|
04/15/12 08:43pm
|
|
|
#2262885
Cphill58
View Profile
|
Message To: Really In reference to Message Id: 2262845
My first green iguana.
Hey there,
Wishing you lots of success ...
For heat lamps this is what I use ...I have both located in different locations...
Flood light These are sold at Lowes / Home Depot/ Walmart ...etc.
This one is my favorite...available in 125 watt and 250 watt ...clear glass and lasts forever.
SLI chicken brooder heat lamp
I get them from the tack and feed stores. Ag / farm stores.
Just heat and white light...no UVB... from these lamps.
Cp
|
|
04/16/12 02:32am
|
|
|
#2262886
Cphill58
View Profile
|
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 2262885
My first green iguana.
a side note...the halogen style (newer flood lamps) can get hotter in the center of the lamp and base....if you use a plastic socket they can melt / smell ...get a porcelain socket at the Home Depot / Lowes and attach your own cord and plug for about 8.00 total. Or buy one complete at the feed and tack store and save the headache for another day....See the chicken brood clamp lamps...ask for a porcelain socket. Looks like white china. Very thick and withstands higher wattage.
Cp
|
|
04/16/12 02:38am
|
|
|
#2262953
Alxbz
View Profile
|
Message To: Milan In reference to Message Id: 2262676
My first green iguana.
thank you! I will defiinitly look into mercuty vapor bulbs. Yeah I have been having to adjust and move the heat lamp around it actually seems to cold sometimes that may be becouse the bulb is 75watts. i recently bought a black light heat bulb for night time when the temperature is to cold as I dont want to leave the bright light on and mess with its day/night schedule, it seems to enjoy the black light more as it is 100 watts it props its head up higher to it and opens its mouth which it didnt do with the normal 75 watt bulb im thinking this means it likes it more? I also looked into CHE’s but they seemed quite costly for just a bulb might pick one up anyways it seems worth it. and I agree everyone here seems very helpful. yes ive been misting the cage about 3-4 times a day Im looking into posibbly buying a humidifier. I currently have it in a large storage container without the lid off and the lighting above it as I bought some decorations and a ledge for it to sit on which uses Silicone glue now im having to wait for it to dry and it doesnt like being in that box at all it keeps moving around trying to climb out >.>:. And ill be sure to psot some pics soon!
|
|
04/16/12 05:27pm
|
|
|
#2262954
Alxbz
View Profile
|
Message To: Tempestborn In reference to Message Id: 2262739
My first green iguana.
Yeah im not sure what was wrong with the fixture it made my whole room smell. so i turned it off to see what was wrong I read that it could be burning dust so I cleaned it out. and now it doesnt smell :D. and thank you!
|
|
04/16/12 05:29pm
|
|
|
#2262955
Alxbz
View Profile
|
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 2262885
My first green iguana.
thank you! Hmm the highest watt i saw was i think 150 but the lamp fixture itself was extrmley big. I think ill go back and ask this time lol.
|
|
04/16/12 05:32pm
|
|
|
#2262958
Alxbz
View Profile
|
Message To: Cphill58 In reference to Message Id: 2262886
My first green iguana.
Oh ok I think Ill look into getting a completed one and save me the trouble of figuring out how to put one togther lol but thanks!
|
|
04/16/12 05:35pm
|
|
|
#2262959
Milan
View Profile
|
Message To: Alxbz In reference to Message Id: 2262955
My first green iguana.
CHEs are expensive...but worth every penny! even the night bulbs give off some sort of light which can mess with the sleep of your iggy. and they last much longer then the night bulbs too...plus they hold up better to misting haha...i went through 3 night bulbs in a week (dropped the lamp with one and slightly misted the other 2) and i finally said "ENOUGH" and got the CHE and i am soooo glad i did! I also use the brood lamps...i get mine at walmart for $10 or some ive gotten from home depot for around $15 they are waaaay cheaper then the $35 ones at petstores and work ecatly the same...i get the ceramic ones though because i use the really high wattage bulbs and CHEs, and even if you dont they give you the option to upgrade your bulb when you build/buy a larger enclosure for the little dinosaur lol
|
|
04/16/12 05:39pm
|
|
