Uromastyx...setup

Question
QUESTION: Hi Tracy.. I am going to get a Uromastyx soon and wanted to set up the habitat before hand and get it going for about a week before I bring him home..my question is I want it to be perfect from an experts point of view and if you would could you please tell me what you think the best lighting..would be and best substrate for the bottom of cage would be ...so far for lighting this is what I am thinking of getting.. a mercury vapor bulb,ceramic emmitter, and I heard that bird seed for the bottom of cage is good..can u please give me all info. including best brand names if possible for me to get and all info. you feel crucial for me ..i have done homework and know the temps bask and cool area.. i just want to double check with you and get the best for my new baby.. thank you... Gina

ANSWER: Hello Gina,

Actually, bird seed is fine for the substrate, or you can use washed & sifted playsand, either one.  I would use the playsand instead because they can be fed the birdseed & you don't want him to eat his substrate in the case it is not clean.   
I would most definitely use a mercury vapor bulb.  The Megaray, or the T-rex active UV heat are the two best ones & would provide good heating.  I would just get the 100 watt though as they tend to last longer than the 160 watts do.  Using a ceramic heat emitter would be fine, or you could opt for a bright halogen flood or spot light either one.
Make sure you have a digital probe or a temp gun to measure the temperatures accurately.
What do you plan on feeding him?  
I can send links on where to get the lights, if you would like.
Great you are doing research before bringing him home so that you have everything all setup for him.  That will help him adjust so much better.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tracy.. thanks for the information and I would love it if you can send me links to get the lighting .. that would be excellent!.. and I was planning to feed him twice a day mixture of dandelion and mixed greens? and every few days grate up some squash.. zuchinni bell peppers bok choy and about 3 times a month some mango or apple lima beans rose petalsor hibiscus?? .. does that sound right to you.. what do you suggest.. I can give on a daily basis and on a weekly basis and monthly basis I would like to have a variety for him not the same all the time so I am open to suggestions .. also do you think I should use d3 calcium on food once a week or bee pollen ??..also water I get a 50/50 answer on wether or  not to have a dish in the tank or not..also are they more of  a lizard to look at than to handle either way I love them ..but that is also a 50/50 response for me .. again thank you for all your help!!
Gina

Answer
Hello Gina,

No problem!  The mixture of dandelion greens & other mixed greens daily & then the squash & bell peppers, bok choy & some fruit is fine.  He should like the lima beans, too.  The hibiscus he would probably like, too.  It sounds like you are doing a good amount of research before getting him which is awesome!  You can rotate the types of beans for him, so that will be a lot of variety.
If you are going to use a mercury vapor bulb, you shouldn't need to use D3 as the light will be sufficient enough for him to make enough D3 on his own.  It wouldn't hurt to throw some D3 in every once in a while though, that is fine.  He will need regular calcium 5 times per week, being under 1 year.  The bee pollen would be healthy for him, not a problem there either.  That is an excellent way for him to get his B vitamins.  
You can put a water dish in, but it is not necessary.  They do better with lower humidity, around 20% or so, as they should get enough moisture through their foods.  
Well, if you handle him or her on a regular basis then he will enjoy being handled.  They are highly social creatures so they normally love being out & being handled.  

Here are the links for the Mercury Vapor Bulbs for you:

Megaray link:

http://www.reptileuv.com/

T-rex Active UV heat link:

http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php?cPath=26_33

The Solar Glo:

http://www.bigappleherp.com/REPTILE-SUPPLIES/Mercury-Vapor-Bulbs


Steer away from the Powersun right now & the Sun Force.  The 3 that I listed are the only ones that I will recommend with confidence.  The Megaray 100 watt performs better than the 160 watt in my experience.  Usually the higher wattage bulbs have a harder time with the ballasts getting too hot.  The Solar Glo has done pretty well, & the UVB emissions are good, but not quite as good as the Megaray or the T-rex & burns out before 1 year.  The Megaray & the T-rex should last 12-18 months with good UVB output.  I would use a halogen flood or spot light in conjunction with a mercury vapor bulb for best results & brightness.

Good luck.

Tracie