My first vivarium questions

[eminart]

So, you're getting a BP, right? Are you getting a "normal"? Who is the breeder?

[jjhill001]

Originally Posted by grantlapaz

Ok, so I got the heating set up - Fluker's 8.5 inch "clamp lamp" with a ceramic infared heat emitter and it's topping off at 89.7 degrees. This is a bit low, correct? If so, what can I do to raise the temps?

I've covered the top of the tank, so no heat is escaping that way.

EDIT: Just checked and saw that it's up to 90.4°. I just have a feeling that when I open the tank for any reason, heat will escape and dramatically lower the temp. Any ideas?

If the overall temperature of the enclosure is in the 90's than it's too hot.

[grantlapaz]

Originally Posted by eminart

So, you're getting a BP, right? Are you getting a "normal"? Who is the breeder?

Yes, 99% sure it's just a normal ball. I wasn't told the name of the breeder, pretty sure its a woman though if that helps any.

Originally Posted by jjhill001

If the overall temperature of the enclosure is in the 90's than it's too hot.

It's 92.5 on the surface on the hot side. will check the cool side now.

[eminart]

Originally Posted by grantlapaz

Yes, 99% sure it's just a normal ball. I wasn't told the name of the breeder, pretty sure its a woman though if that helps any.

Cool. I like normals more than a lot of the morphs anyway. If her name is Paige, tell her Scott says Hi.

[grantlapaz]

Originally Posted by eminart

Cool. I like normals more than a lot of the morphs anyway. If her name is Paige, tell her Scott says Hi.

Thanks, and yeah I agree most morphs just dont appeal to me. Also I'm not in direct contact with the breeder, david is the one talking to her and helping us. I'll ask who the breeder is later

[grantlapaz]

Cool side (surface) is 78.5. Is that too low? seems so

[grantlapaz]

Is this accurate?

[Princess-dad]

I go to my local hydroponics store and get a 10 pound brick of compressed coco . Bake block on warm , at least 150° for 2/3 hours should kill any mites in it . Rehydrate block , put coco thru 1/4x1/4 piece of screen wire , to remove any fibers or any unwanted debris . Stir coco over the next few days to dry it out . You now have roughly 10 pounds of coco for $10.00 US. Its a little work but the price is good.

[grantlapaz]

Originally Posted by Princess-dad

I go to my local hydroponics store and get a 10 pound brick of compressed coco . Bake block on warm , at least 150° for 2/3 hours should kill any mites in it . Rehydrate block , put coco thru 1/4x1/4 piece of screen wire , to remove any fibers or any unwanted debris . Stir coco over the next few days to dry it out . You now have roughly 10 pounds of coco for $10.00 US. Its a little work but the price is good.

Wow, great idea. I'll try it one day, thanks a bunch

[Princess-dad]

Monitor Lizard Forums - Bio Active Soil I read this link and it advises the use of play sand . I read some wear that play sand can be dangerous to your reptiles . If you decide to use dirt from your yard , please take some type of measures to negate the issue of possible mites in the soil , ie baking or freezing the dirt to kill any live varmints and there eggs. I dont believe the bioactive substrate method is any thing I would risk doing for the health of my reptiles , at least with out a lot of research . And then I still wouldnt do it , just spot clean and do a deep clean and replace the soiled substrate as needed .

[sirtalis]

Think of it like this, if you began to eat a pack of saltine crackers without any water, you'll reach a point where it will be very hard to swallow any more crackers, if you take a sip of water you could keep eating the crackers until they dry out your mouth again, play sand will cause a problem if humidity is low, if your humidity if relatively high there shouldn't be a problem.

[sirtalis]

I highly doubt a north American wood mite would cause many problems for a African reptile,, but that's just my opinion

[grantlapaz]

That's the problem, humidity is waaayyyy low. not even 50. I dont really know what to do. I dont even have a real cover for my tank, just the metal screen on top and I put a towel over that. I haven't tried bioactive yet, but probably wont for the first good while that I have it since others said it's not the best for beginners.

[sirtalis]

You could use tin foil or the saran - wrap plastic sheets, you could also get a glass top made if your using a heat pad for heat

[sirtalis]

It took me 4 years to decide to use bioactive lol I totally understand that it's not for everyone, but I personally love it