Below are photos of my "Uro condo". My husband, Ian, designed & constructed this enclosure. He combined the best features of several different designs to come up with this particular one. He took into account desired lighting, heating, ventilation, access for ease of cleaning & handling and comfort of the inhabitants. This is a 'walk around' tour.
The enclosure is constructed of oak for durability and pleasing appearance (being positioned in our living room). It is finished with 4 coats of satin texture durathane. Note hinged side access door with plastic mesh screen for ventilation, 2 x 48" UVB florescent bulbs (Exo Terra 8.0) and 2 x 150 watt basking spot lights (T-Rex Reptile Basking Clear Heat Lamp) positioned at different angles. *Recently, I have been experimenting with self ballasted mercury vapor / heat bulbs (T-Rex Active UVB bulbs) in place of the basking lights to enhance the UVB available to the uros. I have observed increased appetite & activity since addition of these lights.
Note 5 glass sides for observation of the inhabitants. The glass was custom cut for this enclosure. Distances between UVB source & Uros varies depending upon where they are resting at the time - bulb to basking slates is 16", bulb to lower lounge area (where Uros are located above) is 13", bulb to upper lounge area is 10". Note the 6" bottom rail which allows good depth of substrate without as much kicked against the glass. Dimensions are: 5' across back, 4' across the front, depth is 24", height is 24".
Front view shows sliding glass panels to allow access to either side of the enclosure. Access is also available through each end via hinged doors. Inside the Uros have a cave complex hide (this can be disassembled to get them out if needed), basking area & 3 x lounge areas - flat rock (lower lounge) where they are presently pictured, also log situated to the left of their present position and an upper lounge above. A few silk plants and wooden features are added for decoration so the enclosure is esthetically pleasing. Note the 12" x 12" terra cotta tiles mortared to the back wall. These provide for 2 functions: maintain heat and secondly are attractive to the *human* eye (hopefully the Uros like it to!).
Here, note the different angles of the basking lights. The light on the right points directly at the basking slate to attain a temperature of approximately 120 F, while the other allows more diffuse heating of their lounge areas. A "Power Center - Reptile Day-Night Timer" (by Energy Savers Unlimited, Inc. Carson CA, web site at www.esuweb.com) controls both the florescent tubes and basking lights for a 14 hour day & 10 hour night periods. The enclosure has no supplemental evening heating & cools gradually to room temperature (72 F) during the night period. The substrate is clean play sand (there is 150lb of sand within the enclosure!).
Other end view to illustrate length of the enclosure. Note smaller ventilation screen. This door is designed to accommodate an exhaust fan if needed. Also note remote digital thermometer readouts on top of the enclosure. For a nice finishing touch, solid brass door hinges & latches were used on the side access doors.
End view with hinged door open to illustrate ease of access into the enclosure.