Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks for the tips on feeding. I bought live crickets and he ate about 15 of them. I am using sand as substrate, but I would like to add potting soil to the sand so he can burrow. What is a safe brand or type of potting soil to use? Thanks again.

I sincerely hope this doesn't strike you as rude.
Take a quick look back over the previous topics. You will see the same questions asked about substrate (repeatedly). The information you find here, as well as caresheet info from proexotics, should answer many of your husbandry questions. then, maybe we can help you "fill in the blanks".
I really want to encourage you to participate in this forum. It's a great resource.

.................(Old post i looked up for you)

No Potting Soil --too much decaying vegetable matter/bacteria etc. (try to minimize the organic content of your mix

Mix dirt (non organic- real outdoor dirt) with a percentage of playbox sand
50/50 Inorganic TOPSOIL/Decomposed granite also works well.
Posted by: SHvar at Tue Feb 21 10:46:43 2006

But first of all use a solid topped cage with vents in the sides and make that substrate deep enough to use (say a foot for now, be prepared to go deeper). The combination of dirt and limiting ventilation and placing it in the sides will cut down of prevent dehydration, theres no happy medium to worry about. They do not get respiratory infections from moist substrate, Im guessing you got that advise from an outdated book or from some other keeper that has no clue that they are killing their monitor or doesnt actually keep them. Of course theres a line between moist and soaked, learn the difference (moist to the touch, but swamps are soaked).
Basking temps, air temps, etc.
Next basking temps are surface temps, not measured by probe thermometers, but with infared thermometers, nor can you use your hand to guess at surface temps like this. Basking temps are as follows, 130f for hatchlings and young, you would be amazed that they use temps well beyond that afterwards. The air temps around the said basking surface is usually 86-90f. Now, understand a cool air temp is also needed, I use from 68-75f..........

Out of stupidity we used the play sand with Loki for about the first 6 months. We did not have problems but others have talked about impaction from the sand. So get him off of it as soon as possible better not to take chances.