This Tuesday I’m getting my first monitor and I’m getting excited. I have a blue spot (peacock) Timor monitor, Varanus auffenbergi, on the way. He is supposedly ~12” including tail. I think that I’ll be ready for him, but wanted a chance for input before he gets here!

I have a 30 gallon which I built a custom lid for today. I wired in 3 halogen lights that bring my hot spot right around 125F. I am using the Retes Stack idea, but have placed substrate around in order for more privacy/security, as well as to hopefully help regulate temps. The following pictures are a quick series of the steps I took setting up this enclosure. If something is amiss or not quite right, again, PLEASE let me know!

Here’s a quick shot of the new lid with the halogen lights mounted on top. I don’t have ventilation figured out, as there is only a small gap along the back of the doors. I’m not sure how much ventilation is needed (I hear that they like a little more humidity than some monitors, yet don’t want anything drastic!)


The same thing closed.


Here is the layout of the stacks before placing the cypress mulch substrate in.


I started adding the cypress mulch and have it also under the first stack leve.


The next level, also covered with cypress.


continued...

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Brent Strande
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Stop by the North Dakota Herpers Forum at www.ndherp.com !!!

...continued

Once everything is inside… It should dry out a little over the next few days. As far as the ceramic tile on the cool side, does that seem like a good or bad idea? I have heard suggestions to place a piece of plywood inside to burrow beneath, so I figured that the ceramic could provide the same effect, yet have NO need to keep it in there.


My ProExotics Tempgun found the hottest spot to be 126.6F, does that seem adequate? Too hot for a smaller monitor?


A shot of the lights.


Well, now the only thing that I need pictures of is the monitor itself! I had to throw this altogether this weekend as I wasn’t planning on getting a monitor quite as soon. I planned on eventually adding to my collection, but this guy was too good of a deal (auctioned off to help the Roylance Fund.)

Sorry if I’m rambling, but I am very excited for this little guy to show up. I hope that everything, or most of it, is right! Do I need more climbing space available for him?

Thanks,
Brent Strande

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Brent Strande
Check out my website!
Stop by the North Dakota Herpers Forum at www.ndherp.com !!!

Nice set up Brendt! I'm not too knowledgable about monitors i'm afraid, but your set up certainly looks good, and I'm sure s/he will settle in well. Can't wait to see pics of the monitor!

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004