New CWD

stymey · #1 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 12:41 PM

Hi, I am new to the boards and new to reptile keeping. I have recently agreed to adopt a CWD who has a bit of scarring from a bout of mouth rot. I have never kept a reptile before and my research into care and habitats led me to this wonderfully informative place.

Unfortunately, my limited understanding at that time thought "aww, poor thing needs a home" though after purchasing supplies for it's new home my wallet is crying.
So with limited budget I ended up with a 20 long as an (soon to be replaced I'm sure) enclosure to work with. The dragon is currently only about 5 inches snout to vent so I think it will work (probably long enough to build a bigger one, lol) I really really like Grimm's vertical build in the Terra-Construction forum, and have decided to attempt to replicate it.
Just a couple of concerns I had: Will a UVB strip simply sitting atop the glass allow the lizard to get/absorb the UVB he needs to properly metabolize calcium? Obviously, I could simply put the light inside, but I already feel like it's a small enclosure for him (though I'm rescuing him from a 10gallon) and would prefer not to if possible.
Also, should I worry about heat from a spot basking lamp damaging/cracking the glass of the aquarium? What about a ceramic heat emitter?

Sorry for the wall of text, thanks for taking the time to stick with me.

beckdg · #2 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 02:35 PM

uvb would need special glass to allow it to pass through. inside a 10 or 20 gallon tank would be way too close though.

heat from a bulb can crack/shatter glass. a ceramic emitter would be much hotter. a lamp dimmer and maybe some distance between the fixture and the glass would solve the problem.

stymey · #3 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 03:27 PM

so, any ideas on getting it the UVB it needs with that vertical type setup? maybe cut a hole in the glass or something? how would you do that?

beckdg · #4 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 04:00 PM

are you talking about a fish tank turned on it's side? if so you could put a screen on the front and mount it there... at the top.

stymey · #5 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 06:49 PM

Ok, after receiving your input, I've decided that while the extra height would be nice for a CWD, I also wanted to include a decent sized water feature. So, for the moment I'm going to use the tank in it's intended orientation. Spring is coming and garage sales abound, so I'll save the vertical tank for next time and get something larger where the proximity of the lighting isn't such an issue. Will post some pics in the construction forums soon. Have just finished applying the backing silicon layer and building a false bottom of eggcrate. Looking forward to applying the GS to the back wall of the tank, and hoping it's not as messy as it sounds. Wish me luck!

beckdg · #6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010, 08:29 AM

excellent choice.

it is that messy.

good luck.

froggsong · #7 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010, 11:40 PM

I recommend building a topper for the current setup until you can get him in something bigger. I have a topper on my 40G breeder for my CWD (not nearly big enough, I have something in the works soon made of foam that will only run my ~$50 and be 4'x2'x2') that is made of eggcrate and GS foam. It was really easy to make, and I doubled the size of the tank.

Since you are currently building the tank, I think it is the best idea to go ahead and build a topper now. PM me when you respond and I'll give you more details on how to make it, ok?