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 Member  Message

 #2033205


Cannibalcorpse
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 Uromastyx bedding question

hello, im new to reptic zone, UROMASTYXKEEPER told me you guys had some good knowledge of uromastyx, i have a mali uromastyx, im not sure how old it is, but its about 7 inches long, im guessing its a male because it has a bulge under its femoral pores, which im guessing is a hemi penis??? and i would like this uro to be as happy as possible. i have him under a 100watt ZooMed powersun UVB/heat bulb with a ZooMed 75watt Basking bulb, in a 20L tank, which i know is way too small, but its all i have until i build a big a 8x4 cage out of plexiglass and wood, now i need to know what is the most natural bedding i can find? im going for the exact type of ground they would have in the wild, if anyone knows what type of sands, soils, ect... please reply! thank you
07/03/09  05:46am

 #2033215


UROKEEPER
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2033205


 Uromastyx bedding question

Hey Canibalcoarpse. Yes as I have told you before you must get him out of the 20L these are dangerous enclosures as the proper temperature gradients and basking gradients cannot be achieved. When I recommended the 8x4 enclosure I was under the impression you had an Egyptian as this is what you told me. You have a Mali so you don’t "have" to go that big. An 8x4 enclosure for a Mali would be great and better than average. Acceptable size would be 6x2x2. As for the most natural substrate.... Most natural looking substrates are dangerous. They live on gravel,soil,sand,more hard packed clay,loamy mixtures.these have been known to kill a uro especially a young one. Recommended substrates are natural washed beach playsand,millet seed, natural slate tiles,sand soil mixes. each have their drawbacks. Other substrates will usually have way too many drawbacks as compared to these four I mentioned. you can still have a "natural" looking enclosure using one of these substrates. I am glad you have come over here to learn more about them.
07/03/09  06:24am

 #2033222


UROKEEPER
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   Message To: UROKEEPER   In reference to Message Id: 2033215


 Uromastyx bedding question

Quote:

i have him under a 100watt ZooMed powersun UVB/heat bulb with a ZooMed 75watt Basking bulb, in a 20L tank



the uro will need a very large cool end of 80-85*f. in a 20 this will not happen. the lighting you bought is good but you need to maintain a cool end.

Temps are

Basking 120-140 (infra red temp gun)
hot end 95-100 (digital thermometer)
cool end 80-85 (digital thermometer)

in a 20L you can get a good basking temp,however it will be nearly impossible to have such a high basking temp and a substantial cool end. A cool end is VERY important for these sun worshipers. They need AMPLE space in the cool zone. I would definetely be thinking of building something right away. I would even get the biggest rubbermaid tub you can find and use that. or use a larger tank for now until you build your permenent enclosure. I am glad you have taken my advice and came here.
07/03/09  06:41am

 #2033316


Cannibalcorpse
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   Message To: UROKEEPER   In reference to Message Id: 2033222


 Uromastyx bedding question

thanx for the feedback bro, but it will be another 3-4 weeks before i can build him the cage, i actually have close to the right temps, i temp gunned the basking spot at 110-125 depending on time of day, and the hot side stays 90-95 and the cool side stay 75-80. he should be ok for that long right? he is eating like a horse, and doesnt seem scared of me at all, he will look at me and lick the glass, i think this means he wants dandelions, lol he will stand on his hind legs also, so im guessing he is happy, well i would be too after getting out of that horrible pet store.... my main concern right now, is that i have him in sand mixed with grow medium(no nutrients, chemicals, ect..) and i baked the dirt and boild the sand, but now that i looked at the sand closer, ive realized it is gravel sand, and i dont want him to swallow any of that. so i will go get some sand from home depot today.



07/03/09  10:47am

 #2033327


UROKEEPER
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2033316


 Uromastyx bedding question

I would get another size enclosure for now. even a little bigger just until you make one. make sure you use only safe materials when building. some have been known to be toxic at higher temps. if you chose a sand and want a safer sand, use a natural beach playsand found at department stores. try and avoid man made sand that is extremely dusty and had thousands of tiny sharp jagged pebbles (crushed gravel playsand). the playsand should have minimal dust,fine grains and no sharp tiny rocks. you will need to sift the sand regardless.
07/03/09  11:20am

 #2033332


UROKEEPER
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   Message To: UROKEEPER   In reference to Message Id: 2033327


 Uromastyx bedding question

your user name is morbid
07/03/09  11:41am

 #2033943


Cannibalcorpse
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   Message To: UROKEEPER   In reference to Message Id: 2033327


 Uromastyx bedding question

ok, i got some beach sand, and i also would like to know if T-Rex Iguana fruit and flower dry formula would be ok for a uro to eat, it says it has hibiscus flowers, so i thought my uro would like them as a treat, also i bought some ZooMed Reptivite reptile vitamins with vitamin d3, i thought this would be good for him incase the light i got wasnt enough, tell me what you think about these brands, and if the uro would even like them. also at the moment i can buy a 55gal fish tank, but they dont have much depth, would this be better than the 20 gal i got? i wasnt sure because those 55gal’s are so long and narrow.



07/04/09  04:16pm

 #2033963


Tori11
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2033943


 Uromastyx bedding question

I would say width is more important than depth, they’d rather have ground area than vertical space.
07/04/09  04:42pm

 #2034047


Sahells Mom
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   Message To: Tori11   In reference to Message Id: 2033963


 Uromastyx bedding question

If he is under 7", he needs to be on paper towels. If he is over 7", you can use washed play sand (It says "washed play sand" on the bag), millet (mine eat too much of it!), even slate or tile. You really do need to get him out of the 20L, especially since he is young. You don’t want to cook him! Basking temps need to be 120 to 135 140. Mine are about 122 to 138. A lot of us have tried the 20L thing, since that is what pet shops tell you. No one would buy a uro if they were told that initial set up will cost about $400.00!! A 4x2x2 enclosure is easy to make, and really needed ASAP! The best UV you will find is the Mega Ray, which has a distance requirement from the basking spot. Basking spots need to be rock (slate works best). It holds the heat.

Welcome to the forum! And, yeah, your name is sick!!



07/04/09  08:32pm

 #2034406


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2033316


 Uromastyx bedding question

There is no way that you have those temps . in a 20 gallon long tank. Either your lying or your gun is wrong . You can use a large Rubbermaid tub as a temporary enclosure until you build the other one . They are cheep and easy to find .



07/05/09  04:29pm

 #2034504


Jbreddawg
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2033205


 Uromastyx bedding question

Quote:

and i would like this uro to be as happy as possible. i have him under a 100watt ZooMed powersun UVB/heat bulb with a ZooMed 75watt Basking bulb, in a 20L tank, which i know is way too small



I’m sure he will have a much better home with you .

Quote:

i just stole my uromastyx from petlandlast week lol, stuck him right in my pocket :P those had it on ground walnut shells, no uvb light, feeding it crickets, and the cages there are left open for everyone to pick it up and mess with it, who knows what the poor thing has went through :(





07/05/09  07:19pm

 #2034543


UROKEEPER
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2033943


 Uromastyx bedding question

Quote:

ok, i got some beach sand,



did you get it in bags from a store"washed beach playsand"? if it is real beach sand you must bake and sift through it.

Quote:

i also would like to know if T-Rex Iguana fruit and flower dry formula would be ok for a uro to eat,



I would just worry about the proper greens and temporary enclosure for now. you really should just feed a good variety of greens and get a decent temporary setup right away and start building your own right away.small enclosures are not only dangerous they can also stunt your uro’s growth and you don’t want to compromise anything in the most important part of their life. I would suggest you find some good foods there are many posts on foods here just search for them. Also provide a hot hide and a cool hide at the very least. I would also feed the uro in the cool end up of the substrate using slate tiles and 1 inch pavers. this provides a cool end hide and an eating surface so the uro has less risk of ingesting substrate.

Quote:

i bought some ZooMed Reptivite reptile vitamins with vitamin d3,



I would feed a good variety of rotatinal greens with curly endive,dandelion greens and escarole as daily foods. provide the zoo med power sun at an appropriate distance since you have already bought it. you could supplement but not often.if the diet is good the supplements should not be used often if at all.you can overdose on vitamins an healthy diet is much safer.

Quote:

i thought this would be good for him incase the light i got wasnt enough



the light should be fine for a few months until you build your bigger one.I would change it out after 4 to 6 months. make sure it’s at the appropriate distance. if using a good strong uvb source such as MVB’s and feeding a d3 product it can become toxic in their bodies. thats why you should not feed too much d3 while using a strong uvb source. the uvb will be enough for a few months if set up correctly. I don’t think it is right for a keeper to not supply a uvb source and just stuff d3 down their throats. (not you personally....just in general).it’s not healthy for them. I believe there are phsychological benefits to a good quality strong uvb source. I believe all keepers should own a uvb meter to test the strength and wavelengths of the bulbs they use. Cannibal I would recommend REPTILEUV.COM’s products for the enclosure you plan to build.

Quote:

also at the moment i can buy a 55gal fish tank, but they dont have much depth, would this be better than the 20 gal i got?



yes better but a VERY temporary enclosure while you get another one either by building or purchasing one.
07/05/09  08:23pm

 #2034633


Kevin_mic
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   Message To: Jbreddawg   In reference to Message Id: 2034504


 Uromastyx bedding question

Who cares if the uro might have a better home, stealing is wrong. You should either take it back or pay for it. Just because you don’t like how an animal is being taken care of does not give you the right to break the law.
07/05/09  10:46pm

 #2034757


Jbreddawg
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   Message To: Kevin_mic   In reference to Message Id: 2034633


 Uromastyx bedding question

Quote:

Sarcasm
Sarcasm is the use of sharp, cutting remarks or language intended to mock, wound, or subject to contempt or ridicule.[1] It is first recorded in English in The Shepheardes Calender in 1579

Understanding sarcasm is a very complicated process to grasp. It is considered to be one of the last and most advanced concepts for children to comprehend. It is usually not fully understood till the age of twelve and sometimes much later.



07/06/09  08:26am

 #2034844


Kevin_mic
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   Message To: Jbreddawg   In reference to Message Id: 2034757


 Uromastyx bedding question

Rereading your post and the quotes you made I finally understand your sarcasm and I agree.
07/06/09  11:27am

 #2034857


Cannibalcorpse
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   Message To: UROKEEPER   In reference to Message Id: 2034543


 Uromastyx bedding question

what do you think about turning one of the 55L aquariums on its side? that would be a buttmunch load of floor space
07/06/09  11:47am

 #2034862


Cannibalcorpse
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 2034406


 Uromastyx bedding question

Quote:

Skullkeeper
There is no way that you have those temps . in a 20 gallon long tank. Either your lying or your gun is wrong



lol, maybe i know more about creating habitats and temp gradients than you? which im pretty sure i do.
07/06/09  11:56am

 #2034902


Jbreddawg
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2034862


 Uromastyx bedding question

Quote:

lol, maybe i know more about creating habitats and temp gradients than you? which im pretty sure i do.


I seriously doubt that .Skullkeeper probably has shoes that are older then you.

If you know so much, you would know that a 55 on it’s side would be all of 13 inches high .
The fact that you may hit a few key target temps in a 20 gallon tank also shows you have no idea what a gradient actually is.



07/06/09  01:13pm

 #2034903


UROKEEPER
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2034862


 Uromastyx bedding question

Quote:

There is no way that you have those temps . in a 20 gallon long tank. Either your lying or your gun is wrong



you may have the right temps on the gun,however what you will be lacking in a 20 gallon is the gradient. substantial area in different heat zones. as for flipping the 55 on it’s side will not work because where are you going to put the lights? also you would have to cover one side and you would have no air flow.
07/06/09  01:16pm

 #2034907


UROKEEPER
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   Message To: UROKEEPER   In reference to Message Id: 2034903


 Uromastyx bedding question

Jbred we were posting at the same time lol
07/06/09  01:20pm

 #2034909


Jbreddawg
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   Message To: UROKEEPER   In reference to Message Id: 2034907


 Uromastyx bedding question

Yea, probably lol

I’d like to see where all the heat goes in a 55 on it’s side .
07/06/09  01:23pm

 #2034914


UROKEEPER
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   Message To: UROKEEPER   In reference to Message Id: 2034907


 Uromastyx bedding question

the digitals will measure air temps and the ir temp gun will measure surface temps. you should have digitals on each side to measure cool and hot end temps and the ir temp gun use for the basking area.
120-140 basking surface
95-100 hot end (digital)
80-85 cool end (digital)

each zone should have a good amount of space especially the cool end. A good long and wide heat gradient with a proper basking temp is very important for the uro. you seem like you want to do what is best for the uro. I would use what you have for now (55 gal) until you get a bigger one ASAP. I would either start building with safe materials or go buy one ASAP.



07/06/09  01:28pm

 #2034917


Jbreddawg
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   Message To: UROKEEPER   In reference to Message Id: 2034914


 Uromastyx bedding question

Urokeeper, don’t forget this is someone who is proud to post that he stole his uro in the first place.
07/06/09  01:32pm

 #2037898


Cannibalcorpse
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   Message To: Jbreddawg   In reference to Message Id: 2034917


 Uromastyx bedding question

i am proud to say i stole my uro, and yes, i was not aware of the size of tempature gradients that the uro would need, but i built a new cage, 5 feet long, 3 feet deep, 2.5 feet high. i know its big for a mali, but he will grow, and i might want to get another for him. i built it out of ceder, with a screen top, and a plexi front. and i ordered 2 megarays, which were dummy exspensive... also, is ceder ok for uros?
07/11/09  11:25pm

 #2037945


Blake258
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2037898


 Uromastyx bedding question

A little to late to ask that question considering the cage is already made isnt it? I dont think its good for them but maybe im thinking of something else. I think oak is the best
07/12/09  01:18am

 #2037973


UROKEEPER
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2037898


 Uromastyx bedding question

I would get the uro out of that enclosure asap as cedar should never be used. The resins in cedar are toxic. put the uro back in the 55 until you change the wood to a safer choice. the size you chose is not "too big" a uro will use every bit of space provided. I would change the wood right now or you will not have a uro for long. Cedar has been known to kill reptiles quickly.
07/12/09  05:40am

 #2037985


Jbreddawg
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   Message To: Cannibalcorpse   In reference to Message Id: 2037898


 Uromastyx bedding question

Ceder is the worst wood you can use for a reptile but I’m not surprised that is what you used. It goes right along with everything else your doing just perfectly.



07/12/09  07:08am

 #2037991


Datsunissan28
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   Message To: Jbreddawg   In reference to Message Id: 2037985


 Uromastyx bedding question

I’d have to agree here. Cedar’s characteristic of containing a natural pesticide is what makes it good for using outdoors (decking, fencing, etc.), but for reptiles and other small animals it can toxic.

The high heats and low humidity a Uro requires would more than likely exacerbate the situation as it further dries the wood out releasing more cedar oil.
07/12/09  07:56am

 #2037993


Jbreddawg
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   Message To: Datsunissan28   In reference to Message Id: 2037991


 Uromastyx bedding question

Look on the bright side !! The ceder will be sure to kill any remaining crickets he feeds to his uro !
07/12/09  08:05am

 #2039970


Gotzilla
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   Message To: Jbreddawg   In reference to Message Id: 2037993


 Uromastyx bedding question

JBred, comments like this are why people like me dislike you. "Haha, look at that idiot. Aren’t I funny?" Such a stand-up guy...
07/15/09  08:13pm
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