View Full Version : My New Savannah! Pics & Possible Name?
Hi all,
a few weeks ago my little Savannah Monitor Died, the two possible cause of deaths which I think are reasonable are my water bowl was too cold (beings as it was ont he cold side) and he pretty much stayed in there that long he couldn't get back out. And Daniel Bennet (not sure on the second name spelling) stated it may have been an internal parasite.
However I plucked up the confidence to buy another one (Thanks Infernalis!) as I have the potential to give a Savannah a new happy life in a good environment. My new Savannah is around 2 years old and he is Huge! I'm thinking of the name "Mr Rex" but I'm fairly sure I've seen someone name there Savannah that before.
I've had him since last night and he seems a little bit on the Lazy side but not lazy to the extent it would indicate he has something wrong. He is in my 4ft vivarium (not sufficient I know) and will be re-housed in the middle of April into a new house such as an 6 x 3 x 3 or 8 x 4 x 4 maybe bigger just depends on the deals I can find (know any let me know) :)
But yes Mr Rex is one big Savannah, Ive heard from the previous owner he is a hisser and a bite from one of this size is more than likely a hospital job so this shall be fun to bond!
I around 10 mins before this post put my hand in and observed his reaction, he seems very laid back (no hissing, and no signs of fear) I kept it in there a little bit long so that if he was ok he would approach me (not me approach him that could cause unnecessary fear) to my shock he was approaching my hand with that awesomely long forked tongue flicking out, however I was thinking is he coming for some fuss or some dinner! so I took my hand out and closed the glass. For a day I think that's a good analyses of his temperament :)
Please note I'm aware the vivarium at present isn't sufficient for a Savannah of this size, he will be in this for around 3 months 4 days so he's not going to be in there for too long =]
infernalis
01-11-13, 10:20 AM
Didymous... (Greek)
dinosaurdammit
01-11-13, 10:21 AM
name him kermit or mr cuddles
infernalis
01-11-13, 10:28 AM
Hi all,
I'm thinking of the name "Mr Rex" but I'm fairly sure I've seen someone name there Savannah that before.
I wouldn't worry about that.. so what if someone else used it??
It's your lizard, you can name it whatever you want.
name him kermit or mr cuddles
Lmao, because of the size of him right now I couldn't imagine mr cuddles suiting him. Unless of course he becomes very very tame and would just be happy to come sit on my lap for ages :)
I wouldn't worry about that.. so what if someone else used it??
It's your lizard, you can name it whatever you want.
Very True, I still can't believe the size of him and it really does seem obvious how they can have so much power behind them :) going to try him on a small rat soon I reckon he will eat it like its the size of a pinky lol Oh i also wanted to ask your opinion on this thermostat a reptile shop recommended me today for my new vivarium in April, I shall have a look on the classifieds as I'm sure someone had it on there.
infernalis
01-11-13, 10:41 AM
No need for a thermostat....
I have never used one on any of my boscs.
I agree with Wayne. Just set the height of your bulbs so that you get the right temperature at the basking spot. No need for thermostats or anything more than that.
Those are some nice bright spots. They are always so dirty, I forget the spots are actually white.
Daniel does like his parasites, doesnt he. ;)
No need for a thermostat....
I have never used one on any of my boscs.
I'll bare that in mind then, at present i'm stuck with a ceramic and pulse thermostat but when I get my new vivarium I will get myself some halogen bulbs, I looked for some today but they where so hard to find :/ (local shops that is)
I agree with Wayne. Just set the height of your bulbs so that you get the right temperature at the basking spot. No need for thermostats or anything more than that.
Those are some nice bright spots. They are always so dirty, I forget the spots are actually white.
Daniel does like his parasites, doesnt he. ;)
Yeah I see where you're coming from, it's just he said this was really good, it wasn't a thermostat on its own it was a thermostat with a built in heater and it was digitally controlled I think. But because of the size of him I will invest in the halogen flood lights so it covers the majority of him :)
What would the heater be for though? I guess if it was to further warm your substrate that might work, but not for a basking spot. You need the floods to both get the basking spot up that high (most heaters wont safely go as high as you want for the basking spot) and to heat the rest of the enclosure's ambient temps to as warm as you need. Plus, that heater will cost you way more to run than three 40 watt spotlights.
Lankyrob
01-11-13, 11:59 AM
Glad that you loss didnt put you off :) look forward to seeing him in the big viv, keep the pics coming ;)
infernalis
01-11-13, 01:08 PM
I put a space heater near my cage in the winter, I have noticed that they both spend more time on this end lately.
My soil is 82 degrees at depth.
http://www.savannahmonitor.net/husbandry/heater.jpg
dinosaurdammit
01-11-13, 02:25 PM
i like the name fluffy
or scruffy from futurerama
Calihusker
01-11-13, 02:28 PM
Name him Chuckles ;)
Glad that you loss didnt put you off :) look forward to seeing him in the big viv, keep the pics coming ;)
Thanks LankyRob, and yes that big viv couldn't come sooner! I come back today and omd it's like... a dinosaur has been in there it's trashed! my nice Arcadia UV is on the substrate, he's yanked out my thermostat probe (Infernalis if you're reading this I now remember you stating "I'd watch that probe, cera yanked mine out and killed it") and actually scratched my glass. He really does need a new home lol worst of all I'm struggling to get the UV Tube back up he hisses everytime I move the thing :P
dinosaurdammit
01-11-13, 03:42 PM
Thanks LankyRob, and yes that big viv couldn't come sooner! I come back today and omd it's like... a dinosaur has been in there it's trashed! my nice Arcadia UV is on the substrate, he's yanked out my thermostat probe (Infernalis if you're reading this I now remember you stating "I'd watch that probe, cera yanked mine out and killed it") and actually scratched my glass. He really does need a new home lol worst of all I'm struggling to get the UV Tube back up he hisses everytime I move the thing :P
omg, name him dinosaur! id be flattered to no extent and when my thumb gets better draw you so many pictures of that guy its not even funny
What would the heater be for though? I guess if it was to further warm your substrate that might work, but not for a basking spot. You need the floods to both get the basking spot up that high (most heaters wont safely go as high as you want for the basking spot) and to heat the rest of the enclosure's ambient temps to as warm as you need. Plus, that heater will cost you way more to run than three 40 watt spotlights.
Lol, well I actually thought of that myself.. I'm not sure exactly how the thing works but it was £120 :O and yes on my next viv I'll get a good few halogen flood lights to heat the majority if not all of him when he basks :)
Name him Chuckles ;)
That's a funky name =] I think because of what I've seen of him I may stick with zilla because he really is a huge beast :P Thanks for your input though =D
DiscoPat
01-11-13, 03:48 PM
Name him Phillip.
omg, name him dinosaur! id be flattered to no extent and when my thumb gets better draw you so many pictures of that guy its not even funny
Lmao, that isn't such a bad name is it? defines big and scary I think just like my big bosc will have to have a think about that =D
Name him Phillip.
I can't think of any familiarity with the name Philip to my sav :P Thanks for the suggestion and loving the swat pic! =D
dinosaurdammit
01-12-13, 03:16 AM
Lmao, that isn't such a bad name is it? defines big and scary I think just like my big bosc will have to have a think about that =D
if anything name him king george, tyrant lizard n all that :P
I put a space heater near my cage in the winter, I have noticed that they both spend more time on this end lately.
My soil is 82 degrees at depth.
http://www.savannahmonitor.net/husbandry/heater.jpg
If I find it hard to keep an ambient temperature I think it would be best to move the vivarium in front of my radiator, it is higher and greater in length than the vivarium so it would cover all of it. Id just had to play around with the radiator heat number to keep the sweet spot but at the moment everything is fine.
Another little update, the previous owner fed him on medium to small mice, my reptile shop said it may be good to try him on the juvenile rat, it's been in there since 9 last night but he hasn't touched it. I popped his viv on around an hour ago and he's basking at the moment int he same space he was last night but he still hasn't gone for the rat just yet. I'm assuming he may just be building up his temperature and then go after it later, what's your thoughts? it's just a was so used to my other Bosc and this one acts differently, seems a little bit lazy at the moment. However yesterday when I was out it looked like he had a right mess around in there.
Also I know they vary in colour but his tail is lighter than the rest of him, is this just normal or could it be because of something else?
if anything name him king george, tyrant lizard n all that :P
Aha yeah I get where you're coming from with those names. Although I starting to like the name Mr Rex more =] and knowing my look he may turn into a softy :P I'm setting a long term goal to get to the stage where me and Mr Rex will be sitting on the bed watching Nat Geo Wild :P I've seen people who have been able to get there their Savannah's that placid they just chill out next to them =] I was very very close with my last one and hope to do it again with Mr Rex =D
infernalis
01-12-13, 07:07 AM
aside from being a little chubby and clean, I could see nothing in your photos to indicate that his tail is less than normal mate.
I hope this rat is already dead..
and if he's not going for it, I would put the rat back in the fridge for a day and try again tomorrow.
aside from being a little chubby and clean, I could see nothing in your photos to indicate that his tail is less than normal mate.
I hope this rat is already dead..
and if he's not going for it, I would put the rat back in the fridge for a day and try again tomorrow.
I agree he looked a little bit chubby and investigated to see whether his belly scraped of the floor when he walked although I think it stayed off the floor (I read it in Daniel's book about looking for this)
And yes the rat was frozen bought from my local reptile shop, I defrosted the rat thoroughly before putting him in, but the rats been in there quite some time now :/ what would you say would be too long to keep a dead rat in there?
I will get some new pics of him as well soon =] and I think the chubbiness is due to the fact he was housed in a 4ft vivarium before I got him therefor not a lot of movement would have been made I think. But soon to come he will have a nice big one and I'll make sure I put some things in there to get him moving around like multiple basking areas, plenty of hide's plenty of substrate for burrows so in time I really hope to have some new pics looking as healthy as every =D
I'll monitor his activity closer today, at the moment he's too... like lazy although it's early and there's plenty more time in the day for him to start roaming. And I think it would be a good idea to get some locusts in there to promote hunting, my other Sav loved them :)
I agree he looked a little bit chubby and investigated to see whether his belly scraped of the floor when he walked although I think it stayed off the floor (I read it in Daniel's book about looking for this)
And yes the rat was frozen bought from my local reptile shop, I defrosted the rat thoroughly before putting him in, but the rats been in there quite some time now :/ what would you say would be too long to keep a dead rat in there?
I will get some new pics of him as well soon =] and I think the chubbiness is due to the fact he was housed in a 4ft vivarium before I got him therefor not a lot of movement would have been made I think. But soon to come he will have a nice big one and I'll make sure I put some things in there to get him moving around like multiple basking areas, plenty of hide's plenty of substrate for burrows so in time I really hope to have some new pics looking as healthy as every =D
I'll monitor his activity closer today, at the moment he's too... like lazy although it's early and there's plenty more time in the day for him to start roaming. And I think it would be a good idea to get some locusts in there to promote hunting, my other Sav loved them :)
Quick Update,
He ate the rat =]
dinosaurdammit
01-12-13, 09:09 AM
i know there is a breed of rat that has a high fat content, its bad for boas but pythons can handle it. can anyone remember the breed and if its bad for monitors?
If I find it hard to keep an ambient temperature I think it would be best to move the vivarium in front of my radiator, it is higher and greater in length than the vivarium so it would cover all of it. Id just had to play around with the radiator heat number to keep the sweet spot but at the moment everything is fine.
Another little update, the previous owner fed him on medium to small mice, my reptile shop said it may be good to try him on the juvenile rat, it's been in there since 9 last night but he hasn't touched it. I popped his viv on around an hour ago and he's basking at the moment int he same space he was last night but he still hasn't gone for the rat just yet. I'm assuming he may just be building up his temperature and then go after it later, what's your thoughts? it's just a was so used to my other Bosc and this one acts differently, seems a little bit lazy at the moment. However yesterday when I was out it looked like he had a right mess around in there.
Also I know they vary in colour but his tail is lighter than the rest of him, is this just normal or could it be because of something else?
How much/often is he basking? What is your basking temp? How many lights do you have for him to bask under?
How much/often is he basking? What is your basking temp? How many lights do you have for him to bask under?
Well he doesn't really bask directly underneath although that's not surprising considering the size of compared to the radius of heat that would e projected from the one ceramic. And without a temp gun I cannot give a surface bask temp however the basking area with the probe lying on top of the substrate reads 38 - 40 degrees celsius however I would imagine the surface would be hotter than this. But on a positive note in 3 months he will be in a 8 x 4 x 4 with one or two banks of halogen flood lights and multiple basking areas. Being just 4ft there is only one basking area bit an upgrade will shortly be carried out.
To update as well he become very active in the afternoon especially when I popped some Locusts and Crickets in he was chasing them I think negative factor is the lack of space.
I will be honest with you Daniel, you need to make some pretty abrupt changes to that enclosure right away. I know you understand that the conditions were what killed your last monitor, but Im not really seeing that the proper changes were made before putting this new monitor in there.
The basking spot you have needs to be improved immediately. This cannot wait until April, and is not that difficult or expensive to fix. Right now it seems like you have a single CHE. You have a nearly 3 foot lizard trying to bask under a very small hot spot. It doesnt work. So it isnt getting the heat it needs to properly metabolize the food you are giving it. If its fat, odds are the last person who owned it was making the same mistake. Your basking area needs to have 3 flood lights pointing down at a height that gives you a surface temperature reading of at least 55 C, though 65 is better. (and yes, you immediately need to get an infrared temp gun so that you can measure this) This basking area should be at this temperature along at least 2 feet, so that your monitor can heat its entire body at once, and not just one spot. Light fixtures are cheap, and so are the floodlight bulbs, so it shouldnt cost you more than about 20 quid to get all that. If you need help figuring out how to install it, just post some pictures of the top of your enclosure and we can go over it. You dont have to be super handy or anything. This is very important to get fixed right away though.
Its good that you have the dirt/sand substrate now, but it needs to be much deeper. This too is much more of an issue with this new adult monitor than it was with your little one from before. That monitor needs to be able to create a burrow that it spends its time in, and right now it can't. This is true not only from a dehydration point of view, but also for blood regulation, security, etc. Im not sure what depth you have in there now, but the bare minimum (and I mean absolute minimum) you need for a monitor that size is 12 inches. (of course it should be 24" but I know that isnt possible in your present enclosure) And that 12" needs to be across the entire enclosure. You are going to have to get a piece of wood to go across the front of your enclosure to hold the dirt in since there isnt that depth right now. If you cut a board the width of the front of your enclosure 12 inches, you can just put it right in against the front glass. Then fill that with dirt and sand and make sure the mix is 50/50 or at the very least 60/40 of dirt and sand. That 70/30 you were mixing it before wont really hold a burrow very well.
The small size of the enclosure is an issue, but really that can wait until April if you have no choice. Those other two are things you need to fix right away. Please let us know if you need help correcting either of those things. We want to help you get it right!
I will be honest with you Daniel, you need to make some pretty abrupt changes to that enclosure right away. I know you understand that the conditions were what killed your last monitor, but Im not really seeing that the proper changes were made before putting this new monitor in there.
The basking spot you have needs to be improved immediately. This cannot wait until April, and is not that difficult or expensive to fix. Right now it seems like you have a single CHE. You have a nearly 3 foot lizard trying to bask under a very small hot spot. It doesnt work. So it isnt getting the heat it needs to properly metabolize the food you are giving it. If its fat, odds are the last person who owned it was making the same mistake. Your basking area needs to have 3 flood lights pointing down at a height that gives you a surface temperature reading of at least 55 C, though 65 is better. (and yes, you immediately need to get an infrared temp gun so that you can measure this) This basking area should be at this temperature along at least 2 feet, so that your monitor can heat its entire body at once, and not just one spot. Light fixtures are cheap, and so are the floodlight bulbs, so it shouldnt cost you more than about 20 quid to get all that. If you need help figuring out how to install it, just post some pictures of the top of your enclosure and we can go over it. You dont have to be super handy or anything. This is very important to get fixed right away though.
Its good that you have the dirt/sand substrate now, but it needs to be much deeper. This too is much more of an issue with this new adult monitor than it was with your little one from before. That monitor needs to be able to create a burrow that it spends its time in, and right now it can't. This is true not only from a dehydration point of view, but also for blood regulation, security, etc. Im not sure what depth you have in there now, but the bare minimum (and I mean absolute minimum) you need for a monitor that size is 12 inches. (of course it should be 24" but I know that isnt possible in your present enclosure) And that 12" needs to be across the entire enclosure. You are going to have to get a piece of wood to go across the front of your enclosure to hold the dirt in since there isnt that depth right now. If you cut a board the width of the front of your enclosure 12 inches, you can just put it right in against the front glass. Then fill that with dirt and sand and make sure the mix is 50/50 or at the very least 60/40 of dirt and sand. That 70/30 you were mixing it before wont really hold a burrow very well.
The small size of the enclosure is an issue, but really that can wait until April if you have no choice. Those other two are things you need to fix right away. Please let us know if you need help correcting either of those things. We want to help you get it right!
Hello Jarich,
Wow that was a long reply but very interesting to say the least, well after speaking to infernalis he told me I should get some 45 to 60w halogen flood lights to compensate for the small radius of heat that would cover the Bosc, however it was actually fairly hard to try and find these halogen bulbs with an outdoor fitting so that the bulbs won't be effected by the harsh environment created on the inside of the vivarium.
Is there any chance you could aid me on finding some of these bulbs and the fitting on eBay or Amazon? that way I could try and get it delivered for Monday for a prompt change.
Also I can appreciate the substrate needs to be bigger however the tallness of my vivarium would impact on being able to cover 12" throughout. I'm 99% sure that if I had 12" of substrate the ceramic bulb cage protector would be touching the substrate.
As for the temperature I'd be doing a hit and miss at the moment because without a temp gun I won't be able to get the surface temperature, I've got a probe sitting on the substrate directly underneath the ceramic bulb which reads 38 - 40 degree's celsius however for all I know the surface temperature could be correct already :/
I'll get some pictures or a video of the entire video in about 4 minutes and you'll be able to get a much better idea of the space and height of the vivarium.
Thanks for your help by the way (Y)
Here's the Video!
For Member of ssnakess - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIsxYHHYK6w)
Quality is very poor at the moment untill YouTube process's it
I wouldnt worry too much about the fixtures being special outdoor ones at this point. You are going to have a different enclosure by April, so any degradation of the fixtures shouldnt happen in that short a time. Any ceramic fixture will work fine. They should be ceramic/porcelain to hold up to the high heat. You can find them at any hardware store, or here it is on Amazon.
Amazon.com: Ceramic Medium Based Socket with Wire Leads (Standard household socket size): Home & Kitchen (http://www.amazon.com/Ceramic-Medium-Socket-Standard-household/dp/B000XVK3PI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1358032560&sr=8-7&keywords=ceramic+light+socket)
Putting the plugs on the end is very simple, or if you dont feel comfortable doing that you can always pay a little more for the ones that already have the plugs on them, like these.
Amazon.com: Woods 0328 18/2-Gauge Brooder and Heat Clamp Lamp with Porcelain Socket, 150-Watt, 6-Foot: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/Woods-0328-2-Gauge-Porcelain-150-Watt/dp/B000KKLPKY/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1358032943&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=porcelain+socket+with+cord)
Just take off the clamp. Gotta go out, but will respond further later on.
I wouldnt worry too much about the fixtures being special outdoor ones at this point. You are going to have a different enclosure by April, so any degradation of the fixtures shouldnt happen in that short a time. Any ceramic fixture will work fine. They should be ceramic/porcelain to hold up to the high heat. You can find them at any hardware store, or here it is on Amazon.
Amazon.com: Ceramic Medium Based Socket with Wire Leads (Standard household socket size): Home & Kitchen (http://www.amazon.com/Ceramic-Medium-Socket-Standard-household/dp/B000XVK3PI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1358032560&sr=8-7&keywords=ceramic+light+socket)
Putting the plugs on the end is very simple, or if you dont feel comfortable doing that you can always pay a little more for the ones that already have the plugs on them, like these.
Amazon.com: Woods 0328 18/2-Gauge Brooder and Heat Clamp Lamp with Porcelain Socket, 150-Watt, 6-Foot: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/Woods-0328-2-Gauge-Porcelain-150-Watt/dp/B000KKLPKY/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1358032943&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=porcelain+socket+with+cord)
Just take off the clamp. Gotta go out, but will respond further later on.
Thanks for the link, beings as they are bog standard fittings I know where I can get these for like £1.20 a piece and they are made out of ceramic so has no problem with the heat. However I could do with knowing which halogen flood bulbs would be good to use, ideally if they are on Amazon I've started that free trial where I get free next day delivery on items so I may be able to get them by Monday :)
Take a look at the video as well, see what you think about the substrate depth that needs to be added.
Thanks for the link, beings as they are bog standard fittings I know where I can get these for like £1.20 a piece and they are made out of ceramic so has no problem with the heat. However I could do with knowing which halogen flood bulbs would be good to use, ideally if they are on Amazon I've started that free trial where I get free next day delivery on items so I may be able to get them by Monday :)
Take a look at the video as well, see what you think about the substrate depth that needs to be added.
Could I get 10 of these and connect them to my pulse thermostat beings as they are dimmable?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Long-Life-Lamp-Company-Equivalent/dp/B008ZEF134/ref=sr_1_14?s=lighting&ie=UTF8&qid=1358034031&sr=1-14
infernalis
01-12-13, 05:59 PM
I found these, wrong wattage.
Search for 45 watt, Halogen par 30 floodlights.
Amazon.co.uk: par 30 halogen floodlight: Garden & Outdoors (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_seeall_1?rh=k%3Apar+30+halogen+floodligh t%2Ci%3Aoutdoor&keywords=par+30+halogen+floodlight&ie=UTF8&qid=1358035073)
They sell these at any hardware, home centre or larger retailers.
I found these, wrong wattage.
Search for 45 watt, Halogen par 30 floodlights.
Amazon.co.uk: par 30 halogen floodlight: Garden & Outdoors (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_seeall_1?rh=k%3Apar+30+halogen+floodligh t%2Ci%3Aoutdoor&keywords=par+30+halogen+floodlight&ie=UTF8&qid=1358035073)
They sell these at any hardware, home centre or larger retailers.
Excellent, I'll have a shop around now that I have the name of one =]
Lankyrob
01-12-13, 06:17 PM
Excellent, I'll have a shop around now that I have the name of one =]
I am pretty certain they are available at B&Q mate, not 100% but pretty certain :)
I am pretty certain they are available at B&Q mate, not 100% but pretty certain :)
I gave them a call mate "there working with someone right now, leave your number and they'll phone you back" yeah right! never heard anything back but yes I'd imagine they would do them are they usually open on a Sunday?
varanus_mad
01-13-13, 05:28 AM
I gave them a call mate "there working with someone right now, leave your number and they'll phone you back" yeah right! never heard anything back but yes I'd imagine they would do them are they usually open on a Sunday?
Till around 4pm mate.
Till around 4pm mate.
Thanks, unfortunately they said they didn't have flood lights so it will be an amazon or eBay job
BeardedDee
01-13-13, 09:08 AM
I gave them a call mate "there working with someone right now, leave your number and they'll phone you back" yeah right! never heard anything back but yes I'd imagine they would do them are they usually open on a Sunday?
They do floods, rather expensive compared to buying from local independent electrical suppliers, merchants, retailers. Try googling electrical supplies birmingham, good luck.
infernalis
01-13-13, 09:23 AM
Don't the have IKEA stores near you?
IKEA has a very wide selection of bulbs for almost any purpose.
Over here I buy my bulbs at Wal Mart or Home Depot, As I refuse to buy much of anything from the local pet shops.
Don't the have IKEA stores near you?
IKEA has a very wide selection of bulbs for almost any purpose.
Over here I buy my bulbs at Wal Mart or Home Depot, As I refuse to buy much of anything from the local pet shops.
I've had a quick search on their website and no searches are found for 45w halogen flood, halogen flood either so I take they don't :/ however while I'm in my break at uni tomorrow I will have a look in the store :)
BeardedDee
01-13-13, 10:59 AM
50w halogen floods are easier to find than 45 or 60w ones.
50w halogen floods are easier to find than 45 or 60w ones.
Okay I'll bear that in mind when searching, I mean I have come across some halogen flood lights but they was on the internet and I was trying really hard to try and see if I could get them from a local store so I could make a quick change but it's harder than it sounds.
varanus_mad
01-13-13, 11:49 AM
Okay I'll bear that in mind when searching, I mean I have come across some halogen flood lights but they was on the internet and I was trying really hard to try and see if I could get them from a local store so I could make a quick change but it's harder than it sounds.
Your lookong for par20 or par38 halogen flood lights
Your lookong for par20 or par38 halogen flood lights
Thanks =] are these good? I noticed it has a wider angle degree than most at 36
50W Par 20 ES Halogen Reflector FLOOD Light - Hi-Spot 63 R64 R63 | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50W-Par-20-ES-Halogen-Reflector-FLOOD-Light-Hi-Spot-63-R64-R63-/230908378920?pt=UK_Light_Bulbs&hash=item35c3363f28)
infernalis
01-13-13, 12:50 PM
I'm jealous, You can get the compact basking lights at about half what they cost in the USA.
Yes, those lamps you linked will work nicely and not take up much room.
I'm jealous, You can get the compact basking lights at about half what they cost in the USA.
Yes, those lamps you linked will work nicely and not take up much room.
excellent, I shall get those then =] And that's good for me then especially how it's something that needs to be done fairly soon =] Also do you reckon I should just get some bog standard ceramic holders? my reptile shop has a small box of them for £1.50 each without wire, or would you recommend some sort of fitting? Oh and one other thing, when I get these I'd imagine I need to move them around (height wise) to get the sweet basking spot temperature.. if so I wouldn't be able to screw the ceramic holder to the top so what would I do to overcome this?
Oh and another thing I need to make sure he can't get to these new bulbs, at the moment I have a nice cage surrounding for my ceramic but being a "reptile" cage protector they are very expensive.. what would you recommend to protect the bulbs in?
Lankyrob
01-13-13, 01:14 PM
I think you just let the bulbs hang, wayne hasnt got guards around his from memory :)
I think you just let the bulbs hang, wayne hasnt got guards around his from memory :)
Yes I have noticed that, but then again these are halogens not ceramics so I would assume by not having protectors they are either far away from the Savannah's reach (which I couldn't do in my Vivarium) or the halogens don't produce enough heat... although if it's to make a 55 degree's Celsius basking spot how would that work :/
What's your thoughts on this? I might be able to get this tonight..
W Midlands 6'x'3'x3' Vivarium - Vivexotic MODX - Reptile Forums (http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/equipment-classifieds/927138-6x3x3-vivarium-vivexotic-modx.html)
Do not mount them, hang it by the cord or a small length of chain. There is no need for any protection around them as long as you hang them, instead of mounting them directly. If they reach up to touch the light, it swings away and there is nothing for them to hold onto. The protecting cage actually gives them the opportunity to hold on and therefore burn themselves.
Do not mount them, hang it by the cord or a small length of chain. There is no need for any protection around them as long as you hang them, instead of mounting them directly. If they reach up to touch the light, it swings away and there is nothing for them to hold onto. The protecting cage actually gives them the opportunity to hold on and therefore burn themselves.
Ho Jarich thanks for your reply, would you take a look at the vivarium and see what you think? it's in the above post (the link to it I mean)
I'm going to buy it =]... after all I've got it down to £130 and I'm sure Mr Rex will be happy in a 6ft x 3 x 3 than a 4 by 1.5 lol =]
BeardedDee
01-13-13, 03:40 PM
Too late to advise against it but seal the heck out of it. Melamine is weak and the inside then swells and rots.
Are you making a dam along the front for deep substrate?
If you've got the money, why not just build the full size enclosure right away? The link you are showing, while bigger in floor space, is still going to leave you with the same problems as the one you have right now. For £150 you could just build the full size enclosure and be done having problems. Are you pretty handy with tools? It's really not that difficult to build a monitor box, and quite cheap.
Too late to advise against it but seal the heck out of it. Melamine is weak and the inside then swells and rots.
Are you making a dam along the front for deep substrate?
Hi, I'm building it now but not putting anything in there just yet so if you could give me some information regarding this damn I will gladly implement it =] Also I did fear this because it happened to my other one, however I am planning on using a waterproof sheet to cover the bottom and up the sides (maybe as high as the substrate to prevent moisture resting on the vinyl)
infernalis
01-13-13, 07:29 PM
can you find two part poly resin epoxy?? that stuff is ace at sealing wood, and it lasts forever.
5kg Pack Lloyd's Approved General Purpose Resin and Catalyst - Bestsellers (http://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/bestsellers/5kg-pack-lloyd-s-approved-general-purpose-resin-and-catalyst.html)
FibreGlassDirect Online Shop - Buy Fiberglass supplies & materials. Fast UK/Ireland delivery (http://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/?gclid=CO32tenY5rQCFQ-f4Aod3lMAcQ)
I even tracked down a UK supplier for you.
This is the same resin used to make/seal boats! no humidity issues or rot.
If you coat that viv with this, it will double the resale value too.
If you've got the money, why not just build the full size enclosure right away? The link you are showing, while bigger in floor space, is still going to leave you with the same problems as the one you have right now. For £150 you could just build the full size enclosure and be done having problems. Are you pretty handy with tools? It's really not that difficult to build a monitor box, and quite cheap.
Hi Jarich, I thought especially with solid wood it would cost far more to buy and I seen this as an opportunity to give him a better vivarium until April. I would disagree however with " while bigger in floor space, is still going to leave you with the same problems as the one you have right now"......... he has more space to walk (which you stated) but he will have the potential to burrow, whether it meet the minimum or maybe a little more than the minimum he could burrow if he wanted.
I would imagine having multiple basking areas, burrow (to an extent) and have the ability to search around further than a foot in front of him he should be happier.
I am I would say a hands on person so I will most certainly be up to building one, but I really thought the cost of building an 8ft by 4 by 4 would cost far more than £130. I have seen our vivarium and looks very nice. If you have some sort of guide I would like to have a look at that, and then the next time I say "my Savs new viv" all will be good =D
can you find two part poly resin epoxy?? that stuff is ace at sealing wood, and it lasts forever.
5kg Pack Lloyd's Approved General Purpose Resin and Catalyst - Bestsellers (http://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/bestsellers/5kg-pack-lloyd-s-approved-general-purpose-resin-and-catalyst.html)
FibreGlassDirect Online Shop - Buy Fiberglass supplies & materials. Fast UK/Ireland delivery (http://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/?gclid=CO32tenY5rQCFQ-f4Aod3lMAcQ)
I even tracked down a UK supplier for you.
This is the same resin used to make/seal boats! no humidity issues or rot.
Thanks Infernalis, I can always count on you giving some good advise! I will indeed take a look for this, and hopefully not only will I have some halogens on the way I'll have some good resin =D
infernalis
01-13-13, 07:35 PM
I need to make an illustration, what you can do with that viv, if you put a solid board that is 18 inches wide and about an inch or two thick along the front bottom, it will keep your dirt from spilling out when you open the cage.
Use a little imagination, the way that box sits right now, every time you slide the glass open, the dirt will spill out, unless you fashion a barricade in the front as wide as the dirt is deep.
I need to make an illustration, what you can do with that viv, if you put a solid board that is 18 inches wide and about an inch or two thick along the front bottom, it will keep your dirt from spilling out when you open the cage.
Use a little imagination, the way that box sits right now, every time you slide the glass open, the dirt will spill out, unless you fashion a barricade in the front as wide as the dirt is deep.
I think I get you, so basically it's a piece of wood (similar to the bottom support that has the glass rail) except it's higher to compensate for the overflow of substrate I will be using?
can you find two part poly resin epoxy?? that stuff is ace at sealing wood, and it lasts forever.
5kg Pack Lloyd's Approved General Purpose Resin and Catalyst - Bestsellers (http://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/bestsellers/5kg-pack-lloyd-s-approved-general-purpose-resin-and-catalyst.html)
FibreGlassDirect Online Shop - Buy Fiberglass supplies & materials. Fast UK/Ireland delivery (http://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/?gclid=CO32tenY5rQCFQ-f4Aod3lMAcQ)
I even tracked down a UK supplier for you.
This is the same resin used to make/seal boats! no humidity issues or rot.
If you coat that viv with this, it will double the resale value too.
Would this do it all?
5m² Fibreglass Roof Kit - Roofing Kits - Roofing Materials and Kits (http://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/roofing-materials-and-kits/roofing-kits/5m-fibreglass-roof-kit.html)
infernalis
01-13-13, 08:01 PM
Would this do it all?
5m² Fibreglass Roof Kit - Roofing Kits - Roofing Materials and Kits (http://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/roofing-materials-and-kits/roofing-kits/5m-fibreglass-roof-kit.html)
Too much junk you won't use.
Buy the kit for 17 quid I linked, a disposable bucket and a wide paint brush.
Pour the resin into the bucket, stir in the catalyst, paint it on quickly, wash up and wait overnight.
The next day the inside will be glazed over in poly vinyl plastic.
Too much junk you won't use.
Buy the kit for 17 quid I linked, a disposable bucket and a wide paint brush.
Pour the resin into the bucket, stir in the catalyst, paint it on quickly, wash up and wait overnight.
The next day the inside will be glazed over in poly vinyl plastic.
Aha brilliant, and this will make it pretty much waterproof? would it be best to take all the panels back off when I get the stuff and coat all (6) of the sides of each panel?
infernalis
01-13-13, 09:09 PM
You only need to paint the inside of the box.
This stuff is permanent, really permanent.. it's not only used on boats, but aircraft, skis, snowmobile hoods, auto fenders, etc.
Hi Jarich, I thought especially with solid wood it would cost far more to buy and I seen this as an opportunity to give him a better vivarium until April. I would disagree however with " while bigger in floor space, is still going to leave you with the same problems as the one you have right now"......... he has more space to walk (which you stated) but he will have the potential to burrow, whether it meet the minimum or maybe a little more than the minimum he could burrow if he wanted.
I would imagine having multiple basking areas, burrow (to an extent) and have the ability to search around further than a foot in front of him he should be happier.
I am I would say a hands on person so I will most certainly be up to building one, but I really thought the cost of building an 8ft by 4 by 4 would cost far more than £130. I have seen our vivarium and looks very nice. If you have some sort of guide I would like to have a look at that, and then the next time I say "my Savs new viv" all will be good =D
Sorry, I feel like maybe Im coming off more abrasive than I mean to. Not my intention at all, just wanting to save you the hassle, bother, and money of buying and trying to adapt this other "in between" enclosure, and save the problems it will cause your monitor in the meantime. A new, custom built enclosure will be relatively cheap, and set up your monitor correctly right away.
The entire thing shouldnt really cost you more than about 200 quid to build. You'll need 4-5 sheets of plywood (25 pounds a piece), 20 lengths (8ft) of 2x2 (4 pound a piece), and two large pieces of glass for the sliding door front. Im not sure how much the glass would cost over there, but it shouldnt be more than around 40 quid. That will give you an 8x4x4 ft box strong enough to put your substrate in.
Then all you need to do is seal it with that epoxy Wayne mentioned and add the lights you are already buying right now. So you'd be spending an extra 70 quid more than what you were going to buy that other enclosure for. However, since you were already planning on building a larger enclosure in April anyway, this actually would save you 130 pounds that you would be wasting on this 'in between' enclosure. Not to mention the money you would spend adapting that white enclosure, which would absolutely fall apart quickly anyway. (I can guarantee that flimsy little melamine enclosure is not strong enough to hold that much substrate without being reinforced). Trust me, save yourself the money and build your big enclosure now. Then you dont have to worry about making a dam for the substrate or not having enough depth for it to burrow, or any of the other problems you will have with that melamine thing.
Sorry, I feel like maybe Im coming off more abrasive than I mean to. Not my intention at all, just wanting to save you the hassle, bother, and money of buying and trying to adapt this other "in between" enclosure, and save the problems it will cause your monitor in the meantime. A new, custom built enclosure will be relatively cheap, and set up your monitor correctly right away.
The entire thing shouldnt really cost you more than about 200 quid to build. You'll need 4-5 sheets of plywood (25 pounds a piece), 20 lengths (8ft) of 2x2 (4 pound a piece), and two large pieces of glass for the sliding door front. Im not sure how much the glass would cost over there, but it shouldnt be more than around 40 quid. That will give you an 8x4x4 ft box strong enough to put your substrate in.
Then all you need to do is seal it with that epoxy Wayne mentioned and add the lights you are already buying right now. So you'd be spending an extra 70 quid more than what you were going to buy that other enclosure for. However, since you were already planning on building a larger enclosure in April anyway, this actually would save you 130 pounds that you would be wasting on this 'in between' enclosure. Not to mention the money you would spend adapting that white enclosure, which would absolutely fall apart quickly anyway. (I can guarantee that flimsy little melamine enclosure is not strong enough to hold that much substrate without being reinforced). Trust me, save yourself the money and build your big enclosure now. Then you dont have to worry about making a dam for the substrate or not having enough depth for it to burrow, or any of the other problems you will have with that melamine thing.
Oh no I didn't mean to put mine across as though I thought you was being abbrasive anyway, anything at all that will help benefit my Savannah I will gladly take in without any insult in anyway.. after all it's within my interest to do it to the best that I can. Also my personal stance is fairly static with what I can fork out right now, I know the solid wood would have only cost around £200 (which I would have liked to get) but I didn't really have money to spend so £130 already was more than I should have spent. But in saying that this vivarium will give him a little more of a happier lifestyle than in that very small 4ft, he can at least have a little roam around for food rather than staying in one spot and seeing everything lol.
Seeing how this vivarium has been built it does seem very very simple to build, however when I was speaking to this other chap who was building some Huge viv there did seem a lot more to it (which he did do) but I don't have to follow it that way.
And plus when I use the epoxy stuff on this I should be able to make the money back easily so in that scenario it's a win win =]
It sounds like you already bought it then. In which case, that epoxy is your next step and then putting in the dam so you can add the substrate. That and the lights are going to be the things that puts your monitor in a much better position.
For the sake of strength and ease, I would just go out and buy a length of 2x12 long enough to go all the way across the front of the enclosure, just inside of the glass. That way all you have to do is just put it in and put some screws into it from the outside of the melamine to hold it in place. Nice and simple and sturdy enough to hold the substrate. Make sure you put it in before you seal everything, so that it gets sealed with the epoxy as well.
It sounds like you already bought it then. In which case, that epoxy is your next step and then putting in the dam so you can add the substrate. That and the lights are going to be the things that puts your monitor in a much better position.
For the sake of strength and ease, I would just go out and buy a length of 2x12 long enough to go all the way across the front of the enclosure, just inside of the glass. That way all you have to do is just put it in and put some screws into it from the outside of the melamine to hold it in place. Nice and simple and sturdy enough to hold the substrate. Make sure you put it in before you seal everything, so that it gets sealed with the epoxy as well.
Yeah i bought the vivarium last night, and yes I will do all of that =] however I'm not quite sure on the damn thing? how does that work?
You only need to paint the inside of the box.
This stuff is permanent, really permanent.. it's not only used on boats, but aircraft, skis, snowmobile hoods, auto fenders, etc.
Enough said then =] will look to get that stuff really soon!
With the enclosure the way it is, you dont have the depth necessary for the substrate. If you dumped in 12" deep of substrate, then it would be up past the bottom of the glass doors, and therefore fall out every time you opened the doors to feed. However, if you put up a piece of wood inside the enclosure, in front of the doors, that is around 12" wide, and screw it in place, then this piece of wood will contain the substrate. Then you can open the doors without it all pouring out the front.
With the enclosure the way it is, you dont have the depth necessary for the substrate. If you dumped in 12" deep of substrate, then it would be up past the bottom of the glass doors, and therefore fall out every time you opened the doors to feed. However, if you put up a piece of wood inside the enclosure, in front of the doors, that is around 12" wide, and screw it in place, then this piece of wood will contain the substrate. Then you can open the doors without it all pouring out the front.
Sorry Jarich! I actually understood about doing that many posts ago. I thought the "Damn" was something to do with draining the excess water from the substrate, I do apologize =] Anyway, how is your Savannah? I imagine living in a perfect vivarium as happy as ever, I did actually take a look at your vivarium and it did look very clean and nice :)
No problem, I figured it was just a misunderstanding but wanted to be very clear just in case.
Mine is doing well and still eating like a horse. Thanks for the kind words, though I dont know that I would say my enclosure is perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Always room for improvement (plus its only 7 feet long, so could be bigger in all honesty). There are some other keepers on here with much nicer looking ones (jealous of that water feature, Aja! ;) )
No problem, I figured it was just a misunderstanding but wanted to be very clear just in case.
Mine is doing well and still eating like a horse. Thanks for the kind words, though I dont know that I would say my enclosure is perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Always room for improvement (plus its only 7 feet long, so could be bigger in all honesty). There are some other keepers on here with much nicer looking ones (jealous of that water feature, Aja! ;) )
Oh well the point is you have a very good set-up and vivarium =D and ohh don't even go there! I so want one of those in mine :P I don't even understand fully how the water circulates from top to bottom but it's so cool! And would save such a big hastle, mine literally gets a sludge of top soil and play sand in there within a few hours it is annoying lol. I'll have to take another look at your threads for a good look at your sav :) got any videos?
I dont right now, but Ill try to get one of him crunching down some crayfish on Thursday. Pretty fun to watch him munch them down!
I dont right now, but Ill try to get one of him crunching down some crayfish on Thursday. Pretty fun to watch him munch them down!
I haven't even tried mine on them yet, at first I actually found it hard to find them all my local supermarkets, ASDA, Sainsburys, Tesco's etc etc didn't sell them but found a fish market and they sell at good prices I've heard. Anyway give me heads up when you post the video =D
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