Lighting Setup Question...?

I'm wanting to build an iguana cage with the demensions of 7'H x 4'D x 6'L...my question was how many lights and basking lamps would you think I would need to properly light and heat this thing for my iguana?

Thanks

Its going to be trial and error. It all depends on what the cage is made out of, what wattage lamp you get, what type of basking light/UVB lights you get, and what your ambient house temp is. I'd start with a 150 watt MVB bulb (UVB and heat) and go from there.

Hi, becasuse of the size of the enclosure, I think you will need more than one lamp both for heat and illumination. The easiest way to check the wattage you will need for heat is to use incandescent household bulbs, it will also depend on temps in the room the enclosure is in, as Liz has said. I recommend using the "Megaray" lamp for heat and UVB, close to natural sunlight at the recommended distances, (those vary depending on the wattage).
You will probably need supplementary heating and illumination, you can use either ceramic or infra-red lamps, ceramics only emmit heat and no light, and can last a few years, infra reds a few months.
For supplementary illumination I would use the Repti sun 2-0 fluorescent tube, close to natural daylight, but low in UVB.

Thank you for your inputs...I guess I'll have to see where I'm at when the time comes.

Quick question on this...can you give your iguana to much uvb lighting?

Yes. But not if you use the proper lights and follow the directions with regard to distances from the animal.
Consider that the best lamps we have are still weaker than the equatorial sunshine.

You might want to consider using a high wattage UVB light, like a Mega-ray, and then connect a Ceramic Heat Emitter to a thermostat, to dial in the rest of the temps to the correct setting.

Originally Posted by hangtown530

Thank you for your inputs...I guess I'll have to see where I'm at when the time comes.

Quick question on this...can you give your iguana to much uvb lighting?

Merlin has answered the UVB part of your question, but just to mention, I notice you live in California, (sunshine throughout the year)? if you can give the iguana regular exposure to unfiltered natural sunlight, (a few hours daily), you may not need the UVB emmiting lamps, or perhaps just limited exposure to them.

I actually live closer to the tahoe end of california so it's gets cold...Lets just say I get snow in the winter It's not sunny all the time but I do know that your iguana still need natural sunlight whenever possible. So given that info would you say that I should limit the exposure in the summer months and give more in the winter?

On lights...what's better for an iguana zoo med uvb 5.0 or the 10.0 I know it sounds dumb of but I really don't know the difference?

Originally Posted by hangtown530

I actually live closer to the tahoe end of california so it's gets cold...Lets just say I get snow in the winter It's not sunny all the time but I do know that your iguana still need natural sunlight whenever possible. So given that info would you say that I should limit the exposure in the summer months and give more in the winter?
On lights...what's better for an iguana zoo med uvb 5.0 or the 10.0 I know it sounds dumb of but I really don't know the difference?

In that case, give the animal as much exposure to natural sunlight as possible through the warmer months. (I didn`t know it snowed in California)!!???
The very best light is the Megaray. The 5-0 tube is suitable for tropical lizards, the 10-0 better for desert living species, but you can use either. By the time you buy the fixtures and the tube, replacing them every 6 months, far more economical and more importantly beneficial to buy the Megaray!

Originally Posted by murrindindi

In that case, give the animal as much exposure to natural sunlight as possible through the warmer months. (I didn`t know it snowed in California)!!???
The very best light is the Megaray. The 5-0 tube is suitable for tropical lizards, the 10-0 better for desert living species, but you can use either. By the time you buy the fixtures and the tube, replacing them every 6 months, far more economical and more importantly beneficial to buy the Megaray!

It just snowed like 2 weeks ago lol...anyways I will look into the mega ray. That's the one you all call MVB right? Thanks for all your help...keep it coming I love to hear everything I can on how to properly take care of an Iguana.