monitor home

Lrptls · 02-27-04, 07:51 AM

heres a pic of my updated sav cage. i still hate the cage and can't wait to put him in his bigger one but just cant right now. tell me if i should do any thing different or put something different in there. (the white on the sides is from the dirt cause its still wet)

Jeff_Favelle · 02-27-04, 01:09 PM

DEEPER dirt. By about 20 inches.

But that would be impossible in that tank.

crocdoc · 02-27-04, 08:09 PM

what sort of bulb is that (looks like a red one) and where is it aiming?

Lrptls · 02-27-04, 11:21 PM

i'm not sure what the wattage is, i think its 120, the basking spot is very hot though, i can't exactly keep my hand on it for long but he'll lay right there and soak it up.

Big_V · 02-27-04, 11:51 PM

I agree with Jeff that there should be a bit more substrate in that tank but you should really check ou the temperatures in the tank to be sure. Because if it gets too hot in there you will run into problems very fast. Knowing the temps is the key to owning reptiles. Id also be worried about that heatlamp being so exposed like that. Its kinda inviting disaster in my opinion. Its better to have it a little higher and outta reach so that the sav doesnt accidently burn himself.
Cheers, Ryan

crocdoc · 02-28-04, 07:42 AM

I'd also go for a white light rather than a red light and not have the light hitting the basking spot at an angle. What sort of top do you have on the tank? If it is screen, cover it (you'll probably then need a lower wattage bulb), for otherwise you'll dehydrate your monitor.

Lrptls · 02-28-04, 12:59 PM

the top is screen but i taped newspaper to the inside covering all the screen.

Bartman · 02-28-04, 01:18 PM

How hot is the basking spot...with a 120 watt that close it looks like it would be way to high, especially if you cant even put your hand there!

Lrptls · 02-28-04, 02:57 PM

well i read savs need basking spots of about 200 degrees and if that one spot i put my hand is too hot theres other spots near there that arn't too hot he can lay like next to or on his hide where he usually basks.

V.hb · 02-28-04, 03:33 PM

200 degrees?!!? thats dangerous, keep it at around 140.

Lrptls · 02-28-04, 03:39 PM

i read from alot of places 200 and even higher is best, i'm going to change it and put a 100 watt in there though

bubba · 02-28-04, 03:51 PM

200 degrees? You could start a fire with that. Switch to a ceramic heat bulb, they cost more but you'll save in the long run. I find those red bulbs burn out too fast. Also, get a thermostat. It will keep the cage from getting too hot. bubba

Bartman · 02-28-04, 04:43 PM

then change absolutly everything you read from those caresheets...200 degrees is way to hot, im surprised he even sits under there at all...If you want an amazing read get the book called The savannah monitor lizard, by ravi...hes a member on this site, you can try ordering one from him maybe, or get one at the next show...it has amazing info
switch the 200 degrees right away! Mine right now is about 135, but it all depends on the lizard...you just need to make sure that you see him basking on there a lot, and not for like 2 seconds and he/she leaves because its to hot...thats what i was told to be able to see when you've got it right
good luck!

Lrptls · 02-28-04, 05:06 PM

thanks every body for the help. i have had to change alot of things in the cage so many times but i do any thing to get every thing right. i did alot of research before and after i got him but i think i was geting info from every place that was wrong, so i feel bad for him that i havn't had every thing perfect. i will keep changing his cage to make sure stuff is right to keep him healthy, again, thank you.

Bartman · 02-28-04, 05:14 PM

Dont worry, at one point i was also doing a lot of things wrong
Check out this post, you might get some great info off it!

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showt...=&pagenumber=1

good luck!