get at least a 30 gal aquarium for a starter. Within 18 months the iguana will out grow this enclosure. You may just decide to purchase or make an enclosure large enough for the iguana once it reaches adulthood. The minimum size for an adult iguana is 1 1/2 times the length of the animal in length, 2/3 the length of the animal in width, and the length of the animal in height. Obviously the larger the enclosure, the better. Enclosures can be built of wood with a glass front. For ideas on actual enclosures, refer to the enclosure section of this site.

Substrates

The substrate can be as simple as newspaper or brown paper, to make cleaning and changing simple. Orchid bark is an attractive choice, but will require periodic changing. Orchid bark has the advantage of being able to absorb moisture and providing air humidity. Another good choice for a substrate is alfalfa pellets. These have the advantage of being inexpensive, absorbent, and can be digested if ingested.