monitor cages?

mo1416 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 05:58 AM

Besides fish tanks or custom built cages are there any good manufactured cages good for Ackies? I've been thinking of getting my son 1 for a while now and I'm still researching it for him.

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:02 AM

Well for ackies, its best to just get a pair of babies and let them live together as they seem happier having a "friend" to play with. This is not all ackies but some do. The only thing I would say would be a 4' by 4' is a great size custom for a few ackies. I think they need more room than some monitors because they are so active. I think a custom cage is the best way to go since an ackie will need 1-2' of dirt at the least

mo1416 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:06 AM

Then I'll have to consider something else since I'm not the building type. I'd rather just buy 1. I have my 2 Boas in 2 seperate boaphiles and I know I read a long time ago that they wouldn't be good for anything w/claws since they'll scratch the doors.

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mo1416

Then I'll have to consider something else since I'm not the building type. I'd rather just buy 1. I have my 2 Boas in 2 seperate boaphiles and I know I read a long time ago that they wouldn't be good for anything w/claws since they'll scratch the doors.

Its not so much that but its the fact that ackies NEED to have burrows. If they don't then they will not be healthy as they should. Digging is how they get most of their exercise. I'll look at other options, I will let you know. One thing I can think of off the top of my head is the old horse tanks, you can get them for next to nothing or even free. There is an 8' by 4' one for FREE in the paper here now. They make great cages for ackies and even savannahs. I am looking for these 4' by 2' plastic tanks, one second.

mo1416 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:12 AM

"horse tanks" What is that?

Dachande · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:13 AM

a 120 gallon tank with a modified lid (screen tops lose heat and humidity) would be okay for an adult pair. as long as it's minimum 4 x 2 x 2. but as mentioned, if kept in groups it is better they are raised together from hatchlig size. they are active and enjoy digging and seem to form "social skills" amongst eachother. i currently keep a male red and a pair of yellows.
the only manufactured cages i've seen used for monitors was strictly for breeding purposes. plus these were racks and several thousands of dollars worth of equipment. unless your wanting to start a breeding company, just build a custom cage or order an all glass with minimum 4 x 2 x 2 for adult sizes. hatchlings can be housed in no less than 20 gallon longs.

Dachande · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:14 AM

he means feeding/watering troughs

mo1416 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:15 AM

I do have a 40 gallon breeder and a couple of 20 longs collecting dust. But I'd prefer something that looked better than a fish tank.

mo1416 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:16 AM

Can you post pics of your setups?

mo1416 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dachande

he means feeding/watering troughs

hehehe Ahhh I see says the blind man

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #11 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:17 AM

I'm going to look for a cheap plastic stock tank that I can keep T in for a while till I get a permanet cage ready. I don't want the 8' one since its too big for now. Look for plastic stock tanks at a feed store. They are fairly cheap and heavy duty. I live in Nebraska and there is a feed store within 10 miles of me is each direction.

Dachande · #12 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:20 AM

gimme a few. i don't have any but can take a few right quick.

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #13 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:21 AM

Never mind.

mo1416 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:23 AM

I live on long island ny and there aren't any feed stores

Dachande · #15 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 06:35 AM

this is the yellow ackies' tank. 50 gall. 2 14 inch jueveniles

my male red's

and black head's. only 3 months old and new additions to my home.

mo1416 · #16 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 07:37 AM

very nice setups. Any pics of the little guys?

Dachande · #17 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 03:51 PM

here are the yellows

and the red

i have pics of the black heads on another post called varanus tristis tristis pics that is on this very forum. the yellows still have some growing to do and the red has just a few inches to max out. the black heads are 3 months old.

mo1416 · #18 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 03:54 PM

They're adorable

Dachande · #19 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 03:58 PM

thanx. they realy are great beginner monitors and can be quite entertaining. the largest monitor i own is an adult female argus. and i do not recommend them for beginners. they can be quite testy while ackies are more timid and less likely to nip ya.
ackies may run a good $, but you will put less into enclosure and space than say a 3ft argus or a 4ft savannah. the ackies primarily eat more bugs, but occassional pinkies and fuzzies are offered and taken greedily.

mo1416 · #20 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 04:03 PM

Can you guesstimate on how much it costs you a month just to feed your 3 Ackies?
Since I like to know as much as possible before I ever make a decision

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