Is 100W Ok for Mali Uromastyx + rest of setup ?S?

Question

I just got about a 8 inch Mali Uromastyx. I tried to do most of the research before purchasing him but now it seems I might have still been off on a few things. I have him/her?? in a 20 L gallon tank with a Repti Glo 8.0 long light (gives off 33% UVA and 8% UVB) and a 100w infrared heat glo bulb inside a glow light housing. I have a stick on thermometer which I am now realizing was a waste of $4 and I now have to find another better one. I realize now that the 20L will be too small soon, but how fast do these guys grow?? and how often can they be taken out after his few days of getting used to his new environment (I have also given him a piece of wood, a silk plant that he likes to hide under and a slate slab that he slept under last night.)

Is there anything missing that I need besides a larger tank? and is the 100W really the right one to have for him?

Thanks so much!

One more question: I bought him reptivite reptile vitamins to sprinkle on his salads. Is this enough??

Answer 1

The right wattage bulb is the one that gives you the right basking area temp. for your species in your particular set-up.
Since uros require a very hot basking area I think a 100w in your 20 long should be fine but the only way to know for sure is to get a reading of the actual basking area with a reliable thermometer. Different brands of basking bulbs throw more heat then others even thought they use the same wattage so only a thermometer can tell you if your bulb is O.K The rest of your set-up sounds fine. If he has settled in enough to be eating well then a couple handling sessions a day of a few minutes each should be fine. Uros tend to be pretty relaxed and not too stress out by handling.

Answer 2

You should have a 150 watt day bulb for the day
a 120watt infarred for the night... reptile cant see the infarred light which makes it an ideal heat source for night so it can sleep, and not having in the day time will help his photoperiod out. the general rule is that they double their size every 6-12 months. red uros are the slowest growing taking 12 months to double thier size. they need a very large when full grown and id start working on building one or saving up for one right now! the vitamins are great as long as you are feeding him the proper diet,, avoid romaine, butter, and iceburg lettuce and other things like peppers and celery.

www.wnyherp.org has a great care sheet for these guys if you wanna check it out!

Answer 3

Hello..am not sure what all your saying here, if this is a lizard #1 they need UV light - plant grow lights & ANY BULB light MUST BE ON DIMMER SWITCHES so you can turn the heat up or down to regulate the temps or you can kill/ literally FRY your reptile...I'm in America, most in Yahoo Answers are in America, we don't use liters, so tho I know alot about reptiles, if 20 liters is like a 20 or 30 gallon fish tank a 100 watts will kill your reptile..BTW what is a Mali Uromastyx & if you bought this from a Pet Store, they should know all the care it needs ..Take Care :)

Answer 4

Have the temp at 110F at the basking spot. Try and get REP-Cal and Herptivite their excellent vitamins.