Kimberely rock monitor enclousure

wareagleA5 · 01-29-14, 05:44 PM

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 · 02-02-14, 10:01 PM

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?

Ok I just read the faq and figured out what I was doing wrong.

psychocircus · 02-02-14, 10:07 PM

Nice. I'll be following along.

Jack C · 02-03-14, 02:51 PM

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

wareagleA5 · 02-03-14, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack C

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.

infernalis · 02-03-14, 03:18 PM

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

smy_749 · 02-03-14, 04:00 PM

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 · 02-03-14, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 02-03-14, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wareagleA5

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 · 02-03-14, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

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.

wareagleA5 · 02-03-14, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

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.

Pirarucu · 02-04-14, 04:10 PM

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

smy_749 · 02-04-14, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

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 · 02-04-14, 04:57 PM

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 · 02-07-14, 09:54 PM

Just a little more woodwork and I'll be putting the epoxy on this weekend if the weather cooperates.