Kimberely rock monitor enclousure

[wareagleA5]

Hello everyone My name is Eddie, and I've been lurking for a while and decided to get back into monitors. I'd like to eventually get some (a pair)of Kimberely rock monitors. My only experience with monitors was a Nile that I had for three years before having to sell him because of a career change.

I'm now settled and decided on the Kimberely because of the size they reach. I would like to build an 8'L x 2'W x 6'H enclosure with 18" of soil in the bottom.
Would that be large enough for two? I would really like to go wider than 2' but that would be a problem with door ways with the current construction method idea I have now and my work shed being in the backyard.

I'm still planning everything and doing some research on the types of feeders I'll be breeding and it will be a while before I start any construction, but I'd like to keep a log of everything in this thread. My goal is to have it completed for May so it won't be to exciting on the time frame, but I'm a handy person with plenty of time and I'd like to build an exhibit quality enclosure to go in the living room.

[wareagleA5]

Well the superbowl was boring so I made a quick trip to Home Depot and bought my plywood, I've built everything except the front and I've decided to build for Ackies because I just can't go any wider than 2ft. I'm using the 5Lx3Hx2W dimensions from the guide that Barlow made. I'm trying to link to a picture, but I think I need a higher post count unless I'm doing something wrong. I also keep getting a message that I have to wait 30 seconds to post?
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Mobile%20Uploads/cage030_zps2a65f53a.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Mobile%20Uploads/cage030_zps2a65f53a.jpg.html)
Ok I just read the faq and figured out what I was doing wrong.

[psychocircus]

Nice. I'll be following along.

[Jack C]

My favourite breed of dog, so rare where I am, only ever seen a pup and a big male in person.

[infernalis]

A couple of kims would set you back $1600 anyway. I have been pricing them for myself.

[smy_749]

You would be hard-pressed to find a healthy 1.1 pair of kims for sale, that aren't burnt out breeders. There are a few people producing them, they have long wait lists so you may want to hop on one now. 1.1 babies will run you 1600, 1.1 Adults are a different story (more $$)

The cage you have is plenty big enough. You may want to do 24" instead of 18". Kims are a pretty large dwarf. If you want, you could set that cage upright as well, kims enjoy a bit of height.

[wareagleA5]

My favourite breed of dog, so rare where I am, only ever seen a pup and a big male in person.
Me too, ever since I saw the movie The Doberman Gang, mine is actually from the Euro bloodline so he is shorter and not as thin as the American dobe.

[wareagleA5]

A couple of kims would set you back $1600 anyway. I have been pricing them for myself.
Yeah, it's probably one of those things that will turn out good in the end. I'm really just getting my feet wet again with the monitors and from looking around at people who keep both species it seems like they all really enjoy the Ackies. And you're right I'm going to be making a nice size investment getting everything set up.

[wareagleA5]

You would be hard-pressed to find a healthy 1.1 pair of kims for sale, that aren't burnt out breeders. There are a few people producing them, they have long wait lists so you may want to hop on one now. 1.1 babies will run you 1600, 1.1 Adults are a different story (more $$)

The cage you have is plenty big enough. You may want to do 24" instead of 18". Kims are a pretty large dwarf. If you want, you could set that cage upright as well, kims enjoy a bit of height.
I'm gonna put the Kims in the back of my mind for now until I do good with Ackies, and it looks like I'll be needing to get on a waiting list for the Ackies. While looking around I saw the Pilbaras, man I have horrible taste when it comes to picking something I could actually own. I could have sworn that when I bought my Nile all these monitors were available on the KS classifieds, now that I'm older and more realistic about what I could properly house the little guys are hard to come by.

[smy_749]

I'm gonna put the Kims in the back of my mind for now until I do good with Ackies, and it looks like I'll be needing to get on a waiting list for the Ackies. While looking around I saw the Pilbaras, man I have horrible taste when it comes to picking something I could actually own. I could have sworn that when I bought my Nile all these monitors were available on the KS classifieds, now that I'm older and more realistic about what I could properly house the little guys are hard to come by.

Pilbara and Kims, not likely. Pilbs aren't hard to get, they just aren't cheap. Nobody producing them in the US, but outside the US there are a few breeders who can import them to us. Ackies, you don't need a wait list really. They are everywhere...

[wareagleA5]

Pilbara and Kims, not likely. Pilbs aren't hard to get, they just aren't cheap. Nobody producing them in the US, but outside the US there are a few breeders who can import them to us. Ackies, you don't need a wait list really. They are everywhere...I haven't seen any for sale yet, but maybe there's a hatching season? I saw one breeder here who offered pairs using what I assume is the method that uses light under the tail. As soon as I finish the cage I'll start looking harder, going to pick up some epoxy and all the electrical this weekend also ordering some dubia roaches.
The internet and information on this site are amazing, when I had my Nile there was only KS.

[infernalis]

I haven't seen any for sale yet, but maybe there's a hatching season? .

let me know hen you want them, I know a few breeders who can hook you up.

[wareagleA5]

let me know hen you want them, I know a few breeders who can hook you up.
I'll do that, thank you very much.

[Pirarucu]

You just don't see them posted for sale in classifieds much, but there are plenty being bred.

[smy_749]

You just don't see them posted for sale in classifieds much, but there are plenty being bred.

This. I guess I just see them alot because everyone selling them is on my facebook page. Wayne can find you some though.

[wareagleA5]

Monitors on FB, you got to love it, and yeah I've only been checking the classifieds. I bought the electrical today and I have to decide on what to do for the door/window. Sliding glass or a hinged window. I'm leaning towards hinged window because I don't know if crickets and roaches can escape from the gap in sliding glass.

I also ended up ordering epoxy from a manufacturer for much cheaper than I could find at home depot and the local boating store. I got 6 quarts for a little more than what I would have paid for two locally. They have a website raka.com, and I ended calling and explaining what I was building. They said the closest thing to that their epoxy is used for is outdoor raised flower beds. He said two coats and it'll last for years. He also calculated how much I needed based on surface area and I doubled it because of another project.
eta The epoxy they make is for boat building so it should be good.

[wareagleA5]

Just a little more woodwork and I'll be putting the epoxy on this weekend if the weather cooperates.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Mobile%20Uploads/001_zps0466b462.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Mobile%20Uploads/001_zps0466b462.jpg.html)

[smy_749]

Monitors on FB, you got to love it, and yeah I've only been checking the classifieds. I bought the electrical today and I have to decide on what to do for the door/window. Sliding glass or a hinged window. I'm leaning towards hinged window because I don't know if crickets and roaches can escape from the gap in sliding glass.

I also ended up ordering epoxy from a manufacturer for much cheaper than I could find at home depot and the local boating store. I got 6 quarts for a little more than what I would have paid for two locally. They have a website raka.com, and I ended calling and explaining what I was building. They said the closest thing to that their epoxy is used for is outdoor raised flower beds. He said two coats and it'll last for years. He also calculated how much I needed based on surface area and I doubled it because of another project.
eta The epoxy they make is for boat building so it should be good.

I thought I responded to this, almost positive I did. Strange...Go with the hinge, crap gets stuck in the sliding glass, humidity escapes easier and small critters will probably make their way out. Nevermind the annoying sand/dirt that is going to get in the track. Cage looks good.

[wareagleA5]

I thought I responded to this, almost positive I did. Strange...Go with the hinge, crap gets stuck in the sliding glass, humidity escapes easier and small critters will probably make their way out. Nevermind the annoying sand/dirt that is going to get in the track. Cage looks good.
Thanks, I'll go with the hinged window. That'l give me something to do while I wait a week for the epoxy to fully cure.

[wareagleA5]

I put two 70w halogens in to speed up the epoxy and I'm also experimenting with basking spots while I have the lights in. Does this look to concentrated and should the entire surface be the same temp? I haven't got the IR temp gun yet, but just wondering if this is ok.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Mobile%20Uploads/001_zps66f64f50.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Mobile%20Uploads/001_zps66f64f50.jpg.html)

[smy_749]

Blah, was tired when I read that the first time. Its hard to see if its big enough without the monitor in there. If its too small of a spot, just get smaller bulbs and place two next to eachother to make a bigger spot.

[wareagleA5]

Blah, was tired when I read that the first time. Its hard to see if its big enough without the monitor in there. If its too small of a spot, just get smaller bulbs and place two next to eachother to make a bigger spot.
I'll do that, the big rock is 19" long, I never used higher than 100 degree basking temps with my Nile because I was always worried about the spot being to small.
Thanks again, and I hope to get some monitors by the end of March.

[infernalis]

I put two 70w halogens in to speed up the epoxy and I'm also experimenting with basking spots while I have the lights in. Does this look to concentrated and should the entire surface be the same temp? I haven't got the IR temp gun yet, but just wondering if this is ok.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Mobile%20Uploads/001_zps66f64f50.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Mobile%20Uploads/001_zps66f64f50.jpg.html)


Looks about right for a small species, however without a temp gun, sight alone is not enough......

[wareagleA5]

Looks about right for a small species, however without a temp gun, sight alone is not enough......
Yeah this is my hangup with the higher temp basking spots. The closer you get the light the smaller the light spot gets, and in my mind it's like a magnifying glass that's gonna burn my monitor, even though I see pictures of the same thing and no one else's monitors are getting burned up. I'll just have to trust the temp gun.

[wareagleA5]

I got the stand built, and experimented with the temp gun for the basking spot, I was able to get it up to 150 when it was on top of the two 2x4s with the 70 watt bulbs. I'm also thinking about lining the inside with foam paneling to keep it insulated so I can use less wattage. I painted some epoxy on the foam and just poured sand on until it cured. It was just a quick test run, it would look a little better with more time and two coats.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Mobile%20Uploads/004_zps01857480.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Mobile%20Uploads/004_zps01857480.jpg.html)
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Mobile%20Uploads/005_zpscfc449e4.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Mobile%20Uploads/005_zpscfc449e4.jpg.html)

[wareagleA5]

Door is finally on, few more inches of substrate and couple of weeks to get the temps right and it will be done.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/18FA588C-8393-487E-AB5E-66828A8179DC_zpsvyw8fq0w.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/18FA588C-8393-487E-AB5E-66828A8179DC_zpsvyw8fq0w.jpg.html)

[wareagleA5]

I got rained out before I could find any more drift wood, but I did get this nice hollowed Cypress knee. I'm getting 135 in the basking spot and 82 on the cool end with two 70 watt bulbs.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Mobile%20Uploads/9CF4C770-9DB1-438F-8374-D59C2C8ABC67_zpspp4xbsry.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Mobile%20Uploads/9CF4C770-9DB1-438F-8374-D59C2C8ABC67_zpspp4xbsry.jpg.html)

[murrindindi]

Hi, that`s a great piece of wood, are you planning on using anything on the walls (such as wooden trellis) so they can use more of the available space above ground?
And just for the sake of accuracy, it`s spelt KimberLEY with the E before the Y. I was born in Western Oz, and it`s nice when people spell the names correctly, as I'm sure you all like to do in America! For instance, I know Wayne`s lives in Nuw Yerk.... :D

[psychocircus]

Looking good! Can't wait to see it all set with an animal/animals inside!

[infernalis]

For instance, I know Wayne`s lives in Nuw Yerk.... :D

http://forums.watchuseek.com/attachments/f2/1183490d1376001399-pawn-stars-what-watch-i-see-what-you-did-there-futurama-fry-sneaky-sneak-hk7gda.jpg

[wareagleA5]

Hi, that`s a great piece of wood, are you planning on using anything on the walls (such as wooden trellis) so they can use more of the available space above ground?
And just for the sake of accuracy, it`s spelt KimberLEY with the E before the Y. I was born in Western Oz, and it`s nice when people spell the names correctly, as I'm sure you all like to do in America! For instance, I know Wayne`s lives in Nuw Yerk.... :D
Sorry about that and thanks for the correction, when it comes to Australia I'm only familiar with Phillip Island and all your motoGP champions:D. I'm going to go out to the river again and look for more cypress knees to possibly cut in half to line the walls with or get some cork bark pieces.

[wareagleA5]

Looking good! Can't wait to see it all set with an animal/animals inside!
Thanks, any luck with your search?

[Lickeypie]

Your dog is beautiful :p

[wareagleA5]

Thanks, he's a ham and knows how to play it up for attention.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/photo-1_zpsb4b91f0c.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/photo-1_zpsb4b91f0c.jpg.html)

[wareagleA5]

I just need some ackies now
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Mobile%20Uploads/C317408E-0762-4EF8-8C69-F325255832AB_zpsxnfdombe.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Mobile%20Uploads/C317408E-0762-4EF8-8C69-F325255832AB_zpsxnfdombe.jpg.html)
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/eagle_192/Mobile%20Uploads/4668A485-F925-42A8-B109-196D4462FF50_zpssrvpjxgw.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/eagle_192/media/Mobile%20Uploads/4668A485-F925-42A8-B109-196D4462FF50_zpssrvpjxgw.jpg.html)

[Kimmie]

looking really great :D

[wareagleA5]

Thanks, and I'm on the Rare Earth waiting list.

[wareagleA5]

Still no monitors, but I must have around 10k Dubia lol. I've seen some people mention that the wait list may be a year long and I've passed on a few pairs of tristis in the last month. The next time something interesting comes up I'm going to buy, the wait is killing me.

[franks]

There are always acres listed on fauna classifieds. Fantastic looking build you got there. Go grab a beer and pat yourself on the bacoback.back back

[wareagleA5]

Yeah, I've been checking, but they're always a single adult. If I get the Ackies I want a pair or juveniles and from a quality line. There are some Kimberelys on there now, but I promised myself I would keep it under $2500.00

[smy_749]

Ware, please PM me before you purchase anything. I know the history of alot of these varanids being sold. You dont want those kims, trust me. Pm me before you dive all in on a purchase, there is a reason I left the varanid community.

[Gatorhunter1231]

Red Ackies have spiked in popularity which means they will be harder to get. Hold out and get a good line like you are planning. I have heard of people trading a pair of kings rock monitors for a pair of nice red ackies. Red ackie demand is crazy. I could produce a hundred babies and not supply everyone who emails me.

If you are looking for a good ackie to have fun with and do some breeding then you can find nice yellow ackies at good prices. Everyone says that yellows tend to be more mellow and tolerant handling better. My reds can be biters lol.

kims are about the same size as ackies (just extra tail length). More skittish and mine is a picky eater compared to ackies.

Tristis (doug price line) that I had were always hiding and not my cup of team.

I'll have a report on pils soon :)

Like stated by smy- the facebook pages have taken off and might be your best place to snatch some up.

[wareagleA5]

Hey Gatorhunter, I'm still staying on the list at Rare Earth and hoping you have some come up. The longer I wait the more my money piles up, it's killing me guys, seriously. I have a couple of leopard geckos and it's not the same lol.

[Gatorhunter1231]

I'm producing but can't keep up. 115 average for incubation takes forever. If I actually fill my list then I'll let ya know. the striped eggs are two weeks out :)
Hatched 16 last week but all are gone from people wanting them last year

[wareagleA5]

Cool, can't want to see how those stripes turn out.