Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can I please have some Help, i am setting up a 622 vision for my Red Ackies. What is the best of the best substrates for these little guys? and can i please see some cage pics!!

Hy,

I don't think someone could name the "best of the best" substrate at all. You will just hear the same answers as always (If you have browsed the forum - which I hope you already have). The monitors should be able to dig burrows. That is the most important thin after all. And it shouldn't be dusty.

Here is a pic of my enclosure without the nesting box

In my opinion, vision cages are terrible for monitors, especially ackies. Ackies require a deep substrate, i'd say at least 11-12 inches, as they spend a fair amount of their time down in burrows. With a vision cage, you can not accomodate anything more than maybe 3" of substrate. I would say ditch the vision, and go with something that you can use a foot or more of soil, as the ackies would surely use it.. perhaps a stock tank/trough- they seem popular, I have used melamine 'troughs' that I constructed myself, to house ackies, as well as other odatria, as they love to dig..

For substrate, you can use a wide variety of substrates, but I would recommend you use something that can pack and hold burrows, not somethign very loose like sand or aspen shavings, or cypress mulch. What most people use is straight up dirt from their backyard. Try to make sure that it is not dark, black, fertile dirt, as this organic medium is great at harboring bacteria and fungus, something that you probably would not like contaminating your cage. These microorganisms have a difficult time establishing itself in inorganic soils, such as loam. WIth an in organic-type soil, you will not need to conduct the frequent substrate changes that you would if you were to use something like nutrient rich top soil, or potting soil...

But what some people's animals respond best to may not be the same as how your animals do, so experimentation is probably the best..Find out what substrate your animals prefer, or do better in, and go from there....

I hope this helps a bit.... But I am sure that others will highly agree with me, that vision cages are fine for snakes, but are terrible for burrowing animals, such as monitor lizards...Ackies are no exception...

Cheers mate,

bob
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TheOdatriad

Check both links, subject line and link below.
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Substrate from PE

Out of the vision cage and attach it to a water trough to give substrate depth. Dont use a vision, they dont work for monitors without serious expensive changes and additions. Start with a deep box not a shallow box, save yourself time and aggrevation. Theres a guy that makes melamine cages that are biger, heavier, alot stronger, and are built for a monitor and cost less. If you live where you can pick it up in NJ, its worth getting one from him then assemble it at your own house. If you can call "Royal Propagation" for a better cage unless you can build one yourself from wood, FRP, melamine, etc.

I'm laughing as I type this, 'cause I spent all evening with my arms up to the elbow in varying sorts of dirt, digging around and experimenting with the burrow holding capabilities of same. I live in Florida, where our 'dirt' is mostly either sand or an organic 'soup' that will grow absolutely anything, but gets disgustingly slimy when wet.

I know everyone says, "Use dirt." But all dirt is not created equal. Having bought the stuff by the multiple 18 yard dump truck full to fill paddocks, build house mounds, stall floors and such, I cqan testify that the available dirt in any area varies from great to useless at any given time, depending on where they can dig it.

After experimenting, I'm going to try a combnation of that coconut stuff, some sand, and however much of the 'good brown dirt' I can talk my husband into digging out of the foundation mound for our house. The house may shift, but I think the ackies might like it.

Good luck!

"Dogs have families, cats and monitors have 'staff.'"

Leslie

Thats alot of work driving back and forth digging, straining, etc, but its worth it. Ask FR he drives a good long distance to get dirt.

The problem I have is that, with all my surgeries and my bad back, I'm restricted to lifting no more than 10 pounds. So my wonderful husband, who fortunately likes the lizards, must do all the heavy work. Just a few hours ago he presented me with a nice bucket of the 'good brown dirt' that he actually crawled under the house to harvest. Mixed with the other stuff, it holds wonderful burrows and is nice and moist without being gooey. So tomorrow I'll be sending him back under the house for more.

If the little ackies don't like it when I'm done with the 'landscaping' for their new, larger enclosure, I think I'll cry. LOL The things we do for our critters.

Leslie