Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I made a few changes today on the Nile setup based on the feedback I received on my last post.

You can view a video of the changes Here

I also took video as I was putting him back in so you guys can get a good look at him. That video is Here

Comments are welcome and advice is appreciated.

Thank you
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Green Igg 1.1.0
Beardie 1.0.0
Green Tree Frogs 0.0.2
Green Anole 1.0.0
Leopard Gecko 0.1.0
American Toad 0.0.1
Ball Python 0.0.1
Nile Monitor 0.0.1
Yellow Belly Slider 0.0.1
Tokay Gecko 0.0.1

I think your off to a better start.

But, I think you have done alot of work on a cage that isnt going to last very long.

If kept and fed properly your cute little lizard is going to outgrow that enclosure very quickly.

I appreciate what you have done for your Nile. Shows that you really do care and you are willing to learn. Which is a good start.

But think of the future. That cage is a good starter for that species.

Thank you,

Scott
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Scott
"The most powerful person never has to use it"

Thank you for the reply. Funny thing about cages at my place is they don't stay vacant very long(anyone else have that problem?), so when the monitor out grows it it will taken apart, sanitized, and re-purposed I'm sure. The major costs for this particular cage are the cage itself, the lights, and the water setup. Looking back the rest was actually quite minimal compared to what I've spent on some of the others.

I'm actually kinda eager for him to out grow that cage. I have something planned for him that centers on a large indoor pond(think about what you might see walking into a Japanese Steakhouse but setup for a monitor). I want to make sure I have "monitor basics" down before I have to undertake that endeavor though.

I don't really think you get a good view of my room in the videos, but I'm moving in two weeks and my new room will be a lot larger and have a walk-in closet. My current arrangement of tanks makes taking care of everything pretty easy. People seem to think it must take a lot of time caring for all of the animals I have but with my system its actually quite simple. I spend about 30 minutes each morning feeding and changing water and about 30 minutes each evening spot cleaning. Once per week one large cage and one small cage is broken down and thoroughly cleaned. ...and I have no idea why this last paragraph is even here, lol.
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Green Igg 1.1.0
Beardie 1.0.0
Green Tree Frogs 0.0.2
Green Anole 1.0.0
Leopard Gecko 0.1.0
American Toad 0.0.1
Ball Python 0.0.1
Nile Monitor 0.0.1
Yellow Belly Slider 0.0.1
Tokay Gecko 0.0.1

Hi, it`s nice to see you`ve made some improvements. I personally would make the substrate even deeper (you have enough height in the tank to do that).
I would also remove the gravel from the water container, it will trap too much waste, and make it difficult to keep clean, even with a filter.
I keep the water heated to the mid 80s F.
And I agree, this tank will only last a relatively short time....
The monitor looks in decent condition, and no sign of dehydration.
You still haven`t said what he humidity is? (I`m not suggesting it`s not suitable, just wondering).

Thank you. I keep forgetting to mention the humidity... it averages in the mid to upper 60s. I don't have a fogger connected to this cage like I do the Iguanas so the humidity is kinda variable. I mist the cage in the morning, the humidity has never gone below 50% and never about 80%.

I don't intend to keep him in this cage longer than he should be (y'all keep bringing that up, is there a problem with people wanting to keep these things in 55g tanks or something?) and really do appreviate the help.

I hope y'all won't mind doing this again when I build the next one. I'm working on the design in Google SketchUp so I can start getting feedback before I even start building it.
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Green Igg 1.1.0
Beardie 1.0.0
Green Tree Frogs 0.0.2
Green Anole 1.0.0
Leopard Gecko 0.1.0
American Toad 0.0.1
Ball Python 0.0.1
Nile Monitor 0.0.1
Yellow Belly Slider 0.0.1
Tokay Gecko 0.0.1

The "problem" with the smaller enclosure, is that under optimum conditions they grow VERY quickly, which means more money and work (for you), and some stress for the animal/s, if they`re continually being rehoused. But it should last a few months....
Keep asking questions and questioning answers, it`s the best way to learn!

Major improvements I can see here. Unless you want to get technical I don't think threes anything you should change
If anything
remove the gravel from the pond
and deeper dirt

but really all that is int a must for his size right now, I say congrats to you.
If anything just feed him right, all he could eat dusted and gut loaded. you should see him growing. Also be sure to handle him!

To Gecko Tribe: Absolutely NO handling at this time, the babies see everything that moves as a potential threat, only cage cleaning/feeding etc....
With all due respect, why are you giving advise when only a few days ago, you were asking very basic questions about how to care for these animals yourself??
The gravel WILL collect a lot of the waste, therefore, easier to keep the water clean without it! (Personal experience over many years)....

Thanks guys, I've actually only seen him twice since I've made the changes and one of those times was today in his water. Turns out he really will submerge completely in the deep end. I'm really glad I did that.
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Green Igg 1.1.0
Beardie 1.0.0
Green Tree Frogs 0.0.2
Green Anole 1.0.0
Leopard Gecko 0.1.0
American Toad 0.0.1
Ball Python 0.0.1
Nile Monitor 0.0.1
Yellow Belly Slider 0.0.1
Tokay Gecko 0.0.1

I think your want to do the right thing, but everybody here is beating around the bush with you.

You seem to have a concept of what the cage looks like, based on your needs, not the monitors needs.

They do not need it to look like something, they need it to work like something.

When you know what works for them, then you can fix that to make in nice for you too.

So in a nutshell, a raise up cage is a cage that TEACHES you what the monitor will need.

Sadly, your overall idea is going to be a challange as well, which means its been done a million times before and failed a million times. If you really want a japanese stream thing, then do not put monitors in it. put coy or shubukins or something.

Monitors are bulldozers, no matter what you make, they will ruin it. So your Japanese stream pond thing will instead look like that sunami(sp) As thats what they do. Particularly niles.

You like others, want to put in a lot of effort and if you do, you really do not understand what the outcome will be.

If you keep a nile well, you make a giant killing machine, they get big and they will tear the cage apart to find food. They naturally shelter by MAKING BURROWS, so they will tear the cage apart in that quest. Sadly, they do not make one burrow, or stop at one, their daily task is to model and remodel their home. They even do that in nature.

In the meantime, look at the cage as if its for the monitor. Look at what the monitors do, then set it up for what they do.

A home shelter is most important, followed by basking, After that, the ability to walk and climb, then water to swim in, water to drink is mandatory. Swimming water is what you will not be able to provide. Its normally the death of a cage. Like the substrate, they will not leave it alone, and will destory it. It really is that simple.

As mentioned, get anywhere close to good and your monitor will outgrow that cage in a month or so. Which is why all that decoration is for nothing.

Sad, so many of you guys want monitors because you can set up neat cages. Monitors are anything but neat. hahahahahahahaha they make hogs look neat. They are little monsters I tell you and niles become big monsters.

FR,
Thank you for the reply. I do admit that I do like making and maintaining nice habitats. However, when I decided to purchase a Nile Monitor I did so with the intention of wanting to keep a Nile and keep it well. I have already started to witness the "bulldozer" effect on a habitat and it doesn't bother me. I'll figure out what works and what doses not when it comes to cage decor. I just want the monitor to have his needs met. I've added a few more inches of dirt to what I had in my second video. When I mentioned the "koi pond" idea I was really trying to convey that I know how much water and space these guys will end needing and I am prepared to provide it. Not that I had my heart set on a koi pond, I should have been more specific. On another note, I actually buy and read books. Can anyone recommend something that will provide me with more information than I've received here?

So that I understand correctly, the monitor doesn't care what the cage "looks" like? He needs:
*adequate size cage
*proper basking area at proper temps
*all the food he cares to eat
*Deep enough substrate where he can dig to his hearts content
*Large enough clean water to completely submerge in

So that I can start to prepare, what is the largest that the monitor can be in my current set up? I want to have the next one ready before he outgrows the current one.

Also, I put a few minnows in his water hoping he will chase them around. I'm not counting on them to meet his food needs, I just thought he'd benefit from trying to catch something. Am I on the right track there?

Again, I cannot thank all of you enough for your advice.
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Green Igg 1.1.0
Beardie 1.0.0
Green Tree Frogs 0.0.2
Green Anole 1.0.0
Leopard Gecko 0.1.0
American Toad 0.0.1
Ball Python 0.0.1
Nile Monitor 0.0.1
Yellow Belly Slider 0.0.1
Tokay Gecko 0.0.1

Humidity is important so limiting airflow.Deep substate acclomplishes many things other than digging-provides choices,temps, security,maintains humidity,nesting.In proper setting you can provide water in any size container.

That looks like a cage that once it outgrows 2' or so,you can move it to an adult cage-unless you have the inkling and resources to build several cages.If i were you i'd build your final adult cage as soon as you can and big.Ask lots of questions to make it functional for your lizard. Moe