Drainage System

[meluvstgr]

Does anyone have a drainage system for their savannahs? If so, how did you do yours? I do have a hole at the bottom of the tank, so I could follow Ravi's advice about the gravel at the bottom and screening the hole, my only thing is this. After all that, what goes under the tank?

[Kyle Barker]

could use a tub/bucket. Read up on dart frog enclosures, they have to be the most extravegant watering systems out there.

[Mr.Lizard]

Savannas are from arid regions. Are you sure you have the right habitat set-up?
I have kept savs with just a soaking bowl and emptied that after defecation. They don't really seem to soak a whole lot so I don't kno why you'd be considering a drainage system.

[Kyle Barker]

Maybe a built in water area "mini pond". Even though they are from arid regions i beleive that they still need moisture, or dehydration will occur. Thas what i have being told, could be mistaken.

[Jeff_Favelle]

*sigh*

Read this and apply it to your monitor:


http://www.varanus.net/cgi-bin/eboard30/index2.cgi?frames=no&board=Main&mode=Current&message=5528

[meluvstgr]

I'm just asking because everyone has said that Ravi is the expert and he says to use one. And I believe my monitor is shedding, so he would need some moisture to help it along. And beyond popular belief, savannahs do need humidity or they can become dehydrated and have problems shedding.

And I have no idea who that Frank guy is, so I'm not going to go by what he says just cuz he wrote it on a forum. If I went by everything on the net, his temperature would be 95 on his basking spot.

[NiagaraReptiles]

Originally posted by meluvstgr

And I have no idea who that Frank guy is, so I'm not going to go by what he says just cuz he wrote it on a forum. If I went by everything on the net, his temperature would be 95 on his basking spot.


But you're willing to listen to what someone says on <b><i>this</i></b> forum? I'm confused. :confused:

In all honesty, I think you are looking for answers in the wrong places. You monitor knows what it needs, work on learning to understand what it's telling you. It sounds to me like you are having dirt issues if you are in need to a drainage system. Study where they are from, find yourself a usable dirt for you Sav and you're off to the races.........but that's just my opinion and I just typed it one a forum so take it as you will and i truely wish you and your monitor all the best :)

[V.hb]

meluvstgr..... If you already have Ravi's book just read and go by that.. Its to my knowledge the standard these days.. can't go wrong. asking Q's on varanid forums usually set you up for a battle of egos. Good luck.

[meluvstgr]

I agree. I know I asked for it, but I sure wasn't expecting to hear that they don't need any humidity at all!

And I won't necessarily do what anyone on the board says to do, but I know there are some savannah monitor breeders on this site that might have an idea that will help me out.

Since this post, I have set up a drip system (in a bowl, not the sand) for him and I have covered half of the top of his tank with a damp towel to try and trap some of the humidity better.

He seems a little spunkier since I did it. He comes out of his tree now. Today I got him an undertank heater to coincide with his heat lamp to make the temp go up higher.

Do you guys get your bulbs from the store or do you use reptile ones? Cuz I've heard reptile ones suck and that's what I have. And they are still not making the temperature high enough in there and I bought the highest watt one there is!

Help! Should I buy from the store and what luck have you guys had with these?

[asphyxia]

I am using a 90 watt halogin on a timer for daytime and a 150 watt Infrared heat lamp (red) flood 24 hr. May I suggest you get a digital "Prob" thermomiter, I put the prob in the hot spot and the "unit" at the other end of the enclosure to monitor (haha) the ambient temps (Walmart $18.00)

My monitors said they like them very very much.

Happy herping!
Brian

[V.hb]

Hey... Savs do need some sort of humidity,, you cannot keep them in completely dried up enclosures. They become dehydrated incredibly fast. And as brian said, the regular hardware type deal work great.

[meluvstgr]

I put the prob in the hot spot and the "unit" at the other end of the enclosure[/B]

I'm sorry, I hate to sound like an idiot, but what is the "prob" and what EXACTLY is the "unit"?

I like the bulbs ideas very much. I wish I had a bigger cage tho. I have a 20 gallon, and I have my lamp and my uv lamp on there and it is so dang crowded already, especially with the damp towel on the other end now. Do you have your lamps on a like stand thing on the side so they shine in but aren't laying on the screen?

Don't suppose you could take a pic of your setup for me to see, by any chance?? hehe

[V.hb]

Probe and thermometer.. its a thermo that has a probe setup to it to monitor multiple area temperatures.

I can get you a picture of my savannah enclosures... I gave up on savs a few years back, but have a juvi now.. just for fun.... I'll take a pic of what I house him in and PM you it. I just use troughs for them with a plexi glass lid. It's about 4x2x2.

[V.hb]

Oh, and for the record, the plexi glass is for humidity. it holds and retains all the moisture inside of the enclosure, instead of seeping out of a screen lid...

[asphyxia]

I should mention that the enclosure I am talking about is about 6x3x4

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/985aug05_001-med.jpg

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/985aug05_005-med.jpg

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/985aug05_004-med.jpg

Good Luck
Brian

[meluvstgr]

omg, thanks guys! I would LOVE pics. It would be really nice to see how others have theirs set up. Mine is just a baby and I'm not too positive of what I'm doing, but I want to do what is best.

Does anyone here recommend a mister thing that constantly mists the tank or is that too much moisture?

[hudson]

A mister would make it to wet inside, Sav's like it dry. There's a difference between moisture and humidity.