New monitor (salvator)

[Kimmie]

i'm using ReptiSun as lightning at the top, as wide as the cage it is 130cm

[Kimmie]

If I have to get a basking spot I will move him into the terrarium up stairs where there is basking spot, but in this one he has heating for his belly which Cookie loved, I will move my friend's bearded into another cage for him

[jpsteele80]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, mine has never eaten an insect of any description (not for the want of trying), from day one he would only take rodents and fish (plus crustaceans).

Most are like like, I only had mine on them from the beginning because the pet shop had him eating them, lost interest in them real fast, insect are really only for the smaller guys like ackies. (Which is going to be my next set of monitors when I get more) easier to take care of, don't need a monstrous cage that takes up all of your room, cheaper to feed. Plus I think they just have more character.

[jpsteele80]

Originally Posted by Kimmie

i'm using ReptiSun as lightning at the top, as wide as the cage it is 130cm

Is that the only light you have in that cage, the one pointing sideways?

[Kimmie]

Originally Posted by jpsteele80

Is that the only light you have in that cage, the one pointing sideways?

no that is my heating lamp ^^

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by Kimmie

If I have to get a basking spot I will move him into the terrarium up stairs where there is basking spot, but in this one he has heating for his belly which Cookie loved, I will move my friend's bearded into another cage for him

Here is a photo of my Water monitor's basking site to give you an idea of what you need to provide...

[jpsteele80]

Originally Posted by Kimmie

no that is my heating lamp ^^

Ok, your still going to need a basking spot of 120 to 130°F for him to bask on, monitors have a super Hugh metabolism rate and need that heat ( remember that's a basking temp to cage temps)

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, it`s perfectly acceptable to use bark on top of a soil/playsand mix, it holds humidity quite well itself, it will also stop the soil drying out too quickly.

I was saying that bark alone is not a suitable substrate, of course it is fine as long as there is soil under it.

[Kimmie]

Originally Posted by jpsteele80

Ok, your still going to need a basking spot of 120 to 130°F for him to bask on, monitors have a super Hugh metabolism rate and need that heat ( remember that's a basking temp to cage temps)

oki I will look at the shop for it with the soil

[jpsteele80]

Not sure how things are where you are but they don't sell soil in pet shops in the states, we have to go out and dig it up, it's better to dig it up then getting a soil from a home depot and adding sand to it, in nature it's already mixed together

[Kimmie]

Originally Posted by jpsteele80

Not sure how things are where you are but they don't sell soil in pet shops in the states, we have to go out and dig it up, it's better to dig it up then getting a soil from a home depot and adding sand to it, in nature it's already mixed together

I have soil here even garden soil in bags but is that safe to use?

[Kera]

In reptile stores by me they sell soil...

[jpsteele80]

Originally Posted by Kimmie

I have soil here even garden soil in bags but is that safe to use?

It's ok as long as it doesn't have any type of fertilizers in it, has to be plain soil no additives

[jpsteele80]

Originally Posted by Kera

In reptile stores by me they sell soil...

You talking about eco earth or coco husk?

[Kimmie]

so I should just go out and dig some up?, im just afraid he will eat it or get it in his eyes lol XD