How do I prepare my enclosure before adding an animal?
Before introducing your reptile, it’s important to set up and stabilize the environment. Follow these steps:
1. Assemble and inspect
Build the enclosure fully (or confirm assembly if pre-built).
If you ordered accessories (heat panels, UVB kits, LED lighting, guards, etc.), install them during assembly before securing the top. While they can be added later, it is much easier and cleaner to do this as part of the initial build.
Check that door locks are secure if ordered.
Apply Lexel to seams if required, and allow it to cure fully before adding substrate.
2. Clean and disinfect
Wipe all surfaces with a reptile-safe disinfectant.
Allow the enclosure to dry completely.
3. Add substrate
Choose a suitable substrate for your animal (paper, coconut fiber, soil mix, or bioactive substrate).
Spread evenly and ensure proper depth for burrowing species if needed.
4. Install heat probes
Plug your heat panel into your thermostat and set up your probe.
Confirm fixtures are secured properly. Sometimes you have to push T-nuts into the plastic to get a good bite on the screw.
Set up thermostats and timers according to your species.
5. Test and stabilize
Run the enclosure for at least 24 hours before adding your reptile.
Check basking, warm side, and cool side temperatures.
Confirm humidity levels are stable.
⚠ Skipping the stabilization step can result in temperature swings or unsafe humidity, which may stress or harm your animal.