So I'm really excited because in a couple months I will be getting a trio of hatchling ackies (the eggs are incubating and they need a few weeks to really start feeding ravenously and stuff lol). Anyway, I finally completed their setup for while they are babies and I thought you guys might enjoy seeing it. Also let me know if you see anything you think I should change.

The cage is a large Rubbermaid bin with an acrylic/plexiglass top. There are a few small holes drilled on the cool side because I was having problems with mold and too much humidity. The light is just a standard lamp bulb on a fixture mounted inside the cage. There is about 8 inches of topsoil/sand/vermiculite mix for my substrate. I have a rete's stack that is reaching about 124 degrees at the top and the rest of the cage ranges from 80-95 degrees in various spots. There are some fake plastic plants I got from a craft store, a piece of corkbark, and some small flat stones for decoration and for them to hide under/climb on.

http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt186/BallPythons9/IMG_1477.jpg
http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt186/BallPythons9/IMG_1478.jpg
http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt186/BallPythons9/IMG_1479.jpg
http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt186/BallPythons9/IMG_1480.jpg

Very nice... I think you could put a screen window on 2 sides of the tub to help your air flow?

Very nice... I think you could put a screen window on 2 sides of the tub to help your air flow?

Thanks, and that may have worked, but I think the holes on the top and leaving the light on longer solved the problem as I am no longer seeing any mold or condensation. The soil is still moist about 2 inches down though, and it is more humid in there than in my snake room although I haven't actually measured it yet.

Looks cool! Can't wait to see the new arrivals!

How are you going to do the UVB lighting?

Nice looking home for your coming additions.

How are you going to do the UVB lighting?


It was my understanding that UVB is not required for monitors, but I will be giving them Repcal a few times a week.

Thanks Melanie and Tama.

Looks nice!

Man... I need to be locked out of the monitor forums!!!

If someone wanted to send me some baby ackies for my grad present i'll pm my address straight away! Ugh.

Looks nice!

Man... I need to be locked out of the monitor forums!!!

If someone wanted to send me some baby ackies for my grad present i'll pm my address straight away! Ugh.

Thanks and lol!

Great looking setup!

nice hatchie set up.

Thanks guys.

It was my understanding that UVB is not required for monitors, but I will be giving them Repcal a few times a week.

I've always used uvb on all of mine.. :dunno: But then I do calcium sans D3.

I'm with Joe, I've often read UVB isn't necessary for proper development of monitor lizards as long as they receive a diet with calcium supplementation, but there are also a lot of keepers that keep them with UVB lighting.

Great looking grow up tub, I'm sure the little ones will be happy! Be sure to post pics when they arrive!

I've always used uvb on all of mine.. :dunno: But then I do calcium sans D3.

OK, thanks for the input. I'll probably keep them without it and see how they do, and if they start having problems I could add UVB. I probably will make a little "pen" or something so they can go outside for a little bit when they're bigger.

I'm with Joe, I've often read UVB isn't necessary for proper development of monitor lizards as long as they receive a diet with calcium supplementation, but there are also a lot of keepers that keep them with UVB lighting.

Great looking grow up tub, I'm sure the little ones will be happy! Be sure to post pics when they arrive!

Thanks man, and I will definitely post pics when they get here.