Do I Need More Heat to Keep My Lizard Healthy?

I am using a Repti-Glow 5.0 UVB bulb as a light source and i figured it could also be used as a heat source. I noticed that it did not emit very much heat though and started to worry if i should use a different bulb because my monitor was not eating possibly because of no basking spot. I have GE 60W Reveal light bulbs which provide a full spectrum of light and adequate heat as well. I was thinking about leaving the incandescent Reveal bulbs for heat for 6 hours and after that (he may eat when there is a basking light), switch to the UV bulbs for the remaining 6 hours of the reptiles 12 hour light supply. (so after eating he can receive the full benefits of his meal calcium etc). Is this something I should do?

But also i realize that they need heat during the night as well, how can i provide this without a bright light on?

Any help is appreciated!

Hi and welcome to the site. I can't help you, but I'm sure more experienced members will be up and around soon. They'll want more information than you provided. bye for now good luck

Originally Posted by Collin23

I am using a Repti-Glow 5.0 UVB bulb as a light source and i figured it could also be used as a heat source. I noticed that it did not emit very much heat though and started to worry if i should use a different bulb because my monitor was not eating possibly because of no basking spot. I have GE 60W Reveal light bulbs which provide a full spectrum of light and adequate heat as well. I was thinking about leaving the incandescent Reveal bulbs for heat for 6 hours and after that (he may eat when there is a basking light), switch to the UV bulbs for the remaining 6 hours of the reptiles 12 hour light supply. (so after eating he can receive the full benefits of his meal calcium etc). Is this something I should do?

But also i realize that they need heat during the night as well, how can i provide this without a bright light on?

Any help is appreciated!

Hi, I think you have a LOT of work to do, if you don`t make the necessary changes asap the animal could well die quite soon!
Can I ask what species this is, how long you`ve had the animal, how old/big is it, and what size and type of tank is he/she housed in? You will need an ambient temp range between approx 80f cool side to 90 to 95f warm, and depending on species, a basking temp of at LEAST 120f, possibly much higher, that depends on the species, night temp of approx 75 to 80f. The humidity will vary, again, it depends on species.
To achieve those temps you can use either ceramic heat lamps or infrared, ceramics emmit just heat, no light; the IRs are heat + a little light. You also need a ceramic bulb holder for ceramic lamps and anything over 60w for the IRs too.

It is a nile. I have had it for 3 days and it is around 3 weeks old. My uncle catches them and had told me almost everything about them, but i still need advice for when i am on my own. My lizard is around probably 1 1/4" feet long (including the huge tail!) Hes a juvie.

My enclosure is about 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". It is a glass tank. with a mixture of repti-bark and cypress mulch. The right side is slightly elevated from the rest as to allow sufficient room for burrowing (around 5 inches off of the bottom). i have also placed 2 half log hiders onto the hill (perpendicular, one against the back wall and the other against the right, with the ends meeting in the back corner of the tank) he enjoys the one on the far right the most. i am thinking this may be too claustrophobic for him though as it does take up a lot of space and was contemplating removing the other log.

The middle area is simply a flat surface at about with a base for the tank substrate of about 2 1/2" off the bottom where he can choose to burrow if he wishes, this is also where most of the crickets roam.

On the left of the tank is a pool large enough to submerge into, placed in the front. And a basking rock placed behind it towards the back.
This side is also slightly elevated (around 3 1/2" up) so that he can receive adequate proximity from the lamp My lamp is placed directly above the rock.

The enclosure is also humidified daily and covered on the top as I have a wire mesh lid.

I have a ceramic bulb holder (it is the Zilla one). Equipped with my Repti-Glo UVB lamp. Is this lighting insufficient for my lizard? I would never want any ill effects towards my monitor and will strive to make sure he receives the best treatment possible.

Any help is appreciated! Tips please!

O.K, here are some tips: He needs a MUCH larger tank now (yesterday), you will never get the proper temp range in anything that small, they grow VERY fast, maybe 3 inches a month or more for the first couple of years. The mesh lid is useless, you cannot control either temps or humidity, and it needs covering immediately with something solid (plexiglass, sealed plywood etc). Do NOT leave crickets in the tank overnight, they can and will eat pieces from the monitor! Sorry, but I don`t think you`ve got ANY of the required conditions right up to now, but it`s good you`ve come to ask for advise, so keep the questions coming, but most of all, make the changes asap! Do you have any photos?

he really needs a larger tank when he is this size? **** petstores never give you the right recommendations they just want your money.. i spent almost 200 dollars on this set up and now im going to have to return it?

and oh lord! how can i get all of the crickets out! my buddy who is raising him with me threw almost 7 in there! we thought since he wasnt eating maybe more would motivate him.. along with some superworms!

I do not have any photos i cant get ahold of a camera.. but the second i do i will upload them!

another quick question. the two logs may be cluttering the tank, should i remove one of them to allow for increased space? will he be happier?

Originally Posted by Collin23

he really needs a larger tank when he is this size? **** petstores never give you the right recommendations they just want your money.. i spent almost 200 dollars on this set up and now im going to have to return it?

and oh lord! how can i get all of the crickets out! my buddy who is raising him with me threw almost 7 in there! we thought since he wasnt eating maybe more would motivate him.. along with some superworms!

I do not have any photos i cant get ahold of a camera.. but the second i do i will upload them!

another quick question. the two logs may be cluttering the tank, should i remove one of them to allow for increased space? will he be happier?

Hi, I don`t know the price of timber etc in the States, but I would think you could construct a wooden tank with a glass front maybe cheaper than the totally unsuitable fishtank you have now, yes, the petstore will tell you those are best, they`re trying to make a profit! The main reason it`s too small is as I said, almost impossible to get the range of temps in a small tank, plus you lose most of the heat through the glass.
He won`t want to eat `til the temps and humidity are at the required levels, and he also needs time to acclimate. (Maybe you can convert a piece of secondhand furniture), lots of the members do that, with great results, take a look in the excellent "habitat" section. keep the questions coming!!
P.S. The logs are fine, as a matter of fact, the babies/juveniles spend lots of time up in treees, it offers them some protection from predators, and there`s usually lots of insects etc for them to feed on.

And those Reveral bulbs are not a "full spectrum" light. They are nothing but a color enhancing bulb and do nothing tfor the animal.

My uncle catches them and had told me almost everything about them

Exactly where does he catch them? And going out and catching an animal does not give you any special knowledge on how to keep them in captivity.