Monitor care

[chief]

Hi all I am thinking about getting an ackies monitor but need to know wat sort of lights I will need and how to keep it warm at nitght I live in a cold area are heat pads suitable and what substrate every body else uses for their monitors.

cheers

[crocdoc]

Hey, Chief,

You could use ceramic heat emitters (thermostatically controlled) at night to keep the ambient temperature reasonable and halogen flood lamps by day. The important thing would be to make a front opening enclosure (thick plywood with a sliding glass front would suit you best) so the heat doesn't escape (aquaria suck for that).

As for substrate, a deep dirt layer or sand/dirt mix is best. Make sure you build the enclosure with a deep litter dam below the sliding glass front or you'll be forever having to vacuum dirt out of the glass grooves.