Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I know its real critical when starting a water monitor to keep the ambient temperature around 85 degrees. What is the recommended way of keeping a 20 gallon long aquarium at the right temps in a basement thats about 68 degrees? I am currently using a 75 watt halogen at the highest basking point (an infrared surface reading of about 130 degrees) and a 75 watt infrared bulb for the remainder. The monitor likes it's hiding spot, but the temps in there are 75 degrees, or so. Should I add a heating pad?? Should I insulate the sides and back (outside tank) with heavy cardboard?

I increased the wattage, but was concerned about too much concentrated heat. Sorry about the long rambling post.

Thanks,

Rob

Open screen top? I think you just answered the question of why it is not recommended to keep monitors in 20 gallon fish tanks. I would get a sealed box enclosure with glass sliders on front or plexiglass the majority of the fishtank top except for one small vent and a circle cut out for the lamp to come through. You should not put a tank on bare concrete floor either, it sucks the heat out of the tank. Try putting it up on a table or a block of foam. IF both of those modifications fail, there are undertank heat pads from zoomed,etc. How's the humidity also?

The top is almost closed off due to the size of the 2 painter's light fixtures and uv tube on top. The tank is about 3' off the ground. If the top is plexiglass, wouldn't the light on the inside fill the tank? How would you get the uv light in? I read off the pro-exotics care sheets that they recommend a 20 gal tank to start.

Thanks

Now, I am no monitor expert but I have been keeping reptiles for many years... I can tell you that all-glass aquariums with screen lids are not proper caging for any reptile... Rever mind a monitor... They do not hold the heat and humidity well or consistantly... To put it nicely, they are trash and only good for fish...

Also, water monitors do not need a UV light... It is not like keeping a bearded dragon or an iguana...

If you want the temps and humidity to be correct and if you want to have a healthy monitor, you need to either build or buy a proper encloser like what J described in his earlier post...

Remember one thing... You are going to spend a heck of alot more money on proper husbandry than the actual price of the animal... Taking short cuts will shorten the life of your captive charge...

a 20 gallon sounds way too small for a water monitor baby. I started mine in a 55 gallon and he outgrew it in about four to five months. Now i have him in a seven foot tank.
-----
2.3 Bearded Dragons
1.0 Pastel Ball Pythons (NERD Line)
0.0.1 Water Monitors
1.1 Pastel Red Tailed boa Het. for Albino
1.1 Yellow Ackie Monitors
And Counting...

I was following Pro-Exotics advice.

Well yeah i guess you could start one in that. Humidty sucks in aquariums though. I just think it would be smarter to invest for the fututre. Rather then buying a 20 gallon that wont last you long at all id buy or build a nice big custom wooden tank.
Not only would a baby love more space/hidespots/temperature gradients but you'll be set for the long run. And i dunno if your new to monitors but if youv never owned one id suggest getting yellow or red ackies. Or even a blackthroat over a water monitor. My water monitor was my first monitor i ever owned, and there somewhat a complex species of lizard. There very strong, love to make a mess and poop in their giant waterbowls that you have to change every day. They are also pretty skiddish. If youve never owned a monitor and really want something that gets big id look into blackthroats.
-----
2.3 Bearded Dragons
1.0 Pastel Ball Pythons (NERD Line)
0.0.1 Water Monitors
1.1 Pastel Red Tailed boa Het. for Albino
1.1 Yellow Ackie Monitors
And Counting...

And water monitors do not need uv.
-----
2.3 Bearded Dragons
1.0 Pastel Ball Pythons (NERD Line)
0.0.1 Water Monitors
1.1 Pastel Red Tailed boa Het. for Albino
1.1 Yellow Ackie Monitors
And Counting...

Interesting,

It looks like I posted the same question twice to the same forum, but actually I posted this question to the 'monitor forum', received the string of interplay, then the whole thread moved to 'water & nile monitors'.

hmmmm