Monitor enclosure discussion thread

[infernalis]

No harm to the monitors.

I have used bio active (living) tree limbs, dirt, leaves and sod for years, never had a problem.

would enjoy photos of your setup.

[BC Arboreals]

Originally Posted by infernalis

No harm to the monitors.

I have used bio active (living) tree limbs, dirt, leaves and sod for years, never had a problem.

would enjoy photos of your setup.

Thanks infernalis

I figured it would be safe but I wanted to be 100% sure. Once I can post pictures I will set up a threat and show the new cage I build for the Tree monitors.

[psychocircus]

Originally Posted by infernalis

No harm to the monitors.

I have used bio active (living) tree limbs, dirt, leaves and sod for years, never had a problem.

would enjoy photos of your setup.

I'm in the same exact boat. I've read that you should use bleach and water to soak the branches, then soak in water several times to kill parasites. You find this unnecessary?

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by psychocircus

I'm in the same exact boat. I've read that you should use bleach and water to soak the branches, then soak in water several times to kill parasites. You find this unnecessary?

Not only unnecessary, but it defeats the whole bio active concept.

I don't even clean the poop out of my cage, the feces becomes more dirt almost overnight.

Monitors raised in bio active environments seem to flourish better than animals kept in sterile cages.

[psychocircus]

Originally Posted by infernalis

Not only unnecessary, but it defeats the whole bio active concept.

I don't even clean the poop out of my cage, the feces becomes more dirt almost overnight.

Monitors raised in bio active environments seem to flourish better than animals kept in sterile cages.

I will keep this in mind. Should I avoid pine like we do with snakes?

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by psychocircus

I will keep this in mind. Should I avoid pine like we do with snakes?

within reason, Pine needles are going to be part of the forest floor, but logs dripping with sap should be avoided.

Personally, I am a big fan of locust wood logs, Locust is a species of wood commonly called "Iron wood" because of it's rock hard tightly packed fiber cells.

Locust wood is commonly used by old world farmers to make fences, because the stuff never rots.

Same reason I like it in my enclosures.

[BC Arboreals]

Well here's a few pictures of my enclosure. Substrate is 12 inches of peat moss, coco fiber, dirt, and sand and topped with live moss hides are full to the top with live moss. 6 basking spots 100-150. Hide on the floor of the cage and one on the top of the cage. I also have an order of Cork tubes coming in to add more hides in the cage. Also adding fake vines and plants for more cover.

[psychocircus]

Originally Posted by BC Arboreals

Well here's a few pictures of my enclosure. Substrate is 12 inches of peat moss, coco fiber, dirt, and sand and topped with live moss hides are full to the top with live moss. 6 basking spots 100-150. Hide on the floor of the cage and one on the top of the cage. I also have an order of Cork tubes coming in to add more hides in the cage. Also adding fake vines and plants for more cover.

Awesome. Is that cork on the walls or something else?

[BC Arboreals]

Originally Posted by psychocircus

Awesome. Is that cork on the walls or something else?

It's Coco fiber liner, made for growing plants on. It works great for the walls I don't like how cork tiles, they start to smell really foul in a humid enclosure.

First time using it, will see how it works and if I keep it on there or go with cork bark.

[psychocircus]

Originally Posted by BC Arboreals

It's Coco fiber liner, made for growing plants on. It works great for the walls I don't like how cork tiles, they start to smell really foul in a humid enclosure.

First time using it, will see how it works and if I keep it on there or go with cork bark.

Nice just coco fiber sheets? Do they hold well? What kind of epoxy/glue did you use?

[BC Arboreals]

Originally Posted by psychocircus

Nice just coco fiber sheets? Do they hold well? What kind of epoxy/glue did you use?

I didn't glue it as I will need to remove possibly in 4-5 years from what I've seen. I used staples and stapled the sides and a few in the middle. Made sure they were very close and tight as so the monitors don't get caught in it. I have heard a few people have there monitors get there toes caught in the lattice, so that also was a worry of mine also. I was going to use it but I could only find lattice that was treated.

The coco fiber liner isn't cheap. But holds humidity and looks good. Humidity is staying constant in the enclosure and I am only spraying once in the morning and once at night. I left it for 2 days and opened it up and still got that smack in the face feeling of the high humidity and heat. I will be putting a few humidity gauges in there to make sure I can always monitor it.

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by BC Arboreals

I have heard a few people have there monitors get there toes caught in the lattice, so that also was a worry of mine also. I was going to use it but I could only find lattice that was treated.
.

Hi, just for interest`s sake, treated timber is perfectly safe to use once it`s dried.