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  • 03-08-2010, 04:06 PM
    Jhussey
    Best substrate for a savannah
    What substrate do you guys recommend for a savannah? Should I treat it with something like prevent a mite like I do for my BP's?

    Thanks!
  • 03-08-2010, 06:49 PM
    suzuki4life
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jhussey View Post
    What substrate do you guys recommend for a savannah? Should I treat it with something like prevent a mite like I do for my BP's?

    Thanks!



    dirt....
  • 03-08-2010, 10:30 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    I used to use a half dirt half sand mixture for mine, but then I switched to the excavator clay because it holds the burrows better. However, the clay gets expensive as the enclosures get bigger, but I still think it is very nice. Just my personal opinion.
  • 03-08-2010, 11:29 PM
    Jhussey
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Thanks for the info! I've heard of people using a clay/dirt mix or sand/dirt mix to help with burrowing. Thanks alot.
  • 03-08-2010, 11:33 PM
    CoolioTiffany
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Some people will use a mixture of spahgnum peat moss and dirt or a soil and sand mix to keep the humdity up. Normally I see Savs kept on cypress mulch to keep the humidity up, but most prefer the dirt mix.
  • 03-08-2010, 11:59 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jhussey View Post
    Thanks for the info! I've heard of people using a clay/dirt mix or sand/dirt mix to help with burrowing. Thanks alot.

    No problem, just thought that I would throw it out there, I know a lot of people don't use it because of the price with bigger cages. I don't mix my clay with dirt, but I love it.

    Oh, as for you other question about treating the substrate before putting it in the enclosure, I never did, but I also have to say that my monitors haven't ever had mites before.
  • 03-09-2010, 11:01 AM
    Jhussey
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany View Post
    Some people will use a mixture of spahgnum peat moss and dirt or a soil and sand mix to keep the humdity up. Normally I see Savs kept on cypress mulch to keep the humidity up, but most prefer the dirt mix.

    How high should the humidity be? I keep finding mixed feeling on this topic. Some books/site say they need about 50-75% others say as long as they have a tub of water large enough to soak in, don't worry about it.
  • 03-09-2010, 02:24 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    I keep my humidity at 60% and always have dishes that they can comfortably fit in and submerge as well. I don't think you should go by what you heard. Humidity is very important, and a water dish just doesn't cut it, no matter how big it is.
  • 03-09-2010, 02:27 PM
    CoolioTiffany
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jhussey View Post
    How high should the humidity be? I keep finding mixed feeling on this topic. Some books/site say they need about 50-75% others say as long as they have a tub of water large enough to soak in, don't worry about it.

    I would say around 60%-70% at the most, try to keep it near 60% and no lower than 50%. But I do agree with having the tub of water, not because of humidity but because they love to have a nice soak sometimes or just run through their water. Though, you will find yourself changing the tub daily because of how much substrate the Sav will kick in there.
  • 03-09-2010, 07:08 PM
    Jhussey
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Awesome info thanks! What's the best way to keep the humidity up then? With my Iggies I spray the habitat 3x a day with a mist bottle and that holds it around 80%. I'm not really sure what the natural air humidity is, but I live in Indiana if that helps.

    Thanks!
  • 03-09-2010, 07:48 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Yes, you could mist them, I personally just bought an automatic mister that I'm trying out made by Zoomed. It seems to work well, I just have to keep it on the lowest time setting for when it sprays, otherwise it will get too wet. But with the mister it goes off twice a day and the humidity stays at 60% and never rises or falls, so it stays perfect. I bought it because am in the process of building new enclosures for my monitors, and I am going to go all out with them. I think setting them up it the funnest part.

    Although like I said before, they would need a large water dish as well as maintained humidity. They do like to soak and it helps with their shedding, but be prepared to clean it everyday, sometimes twice a day.
  • 03-09-2010, 11:43 PM
    Jhussey
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Cool I'll have to check out that mister. Thanks! I don't mind the clean up, and I agree the set up is alot of fun, but I get so stressed trying to make the best place for my pets and the research is soooooooooooo tireing sometimes because there's so much different info out there! Like I'm still stuck on whether my 175gal glass terrarium will work for a bit, or if I should just build a wood one. Anyway thanks for the help!
  • 03-09-2010, 11:53 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Well, I will let you know that I have always started my baby monitors off in my 125 gallon fish tank, but a lot of people will give you crap for it. I never seen a difference in growth/health as to when I started them in tanks or built enclosures. However, I usually only keep them in the fish tanks for their first year, then move them to new larger and freshly built enclosures, so I wouldn't personally tell you not to as I have never had any problems.
  • 03-10-2010, 12:39 AM
    Jhussey
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bsash View Post
    Yes, you could mist them, I personally just bought an automatic mister that I'm trying out made by Zoomed.

    The mister you're using is it the Zoo Med Habba Mist automatic mister? It's been recommended to me for my Iggies so I dont have to spray them everyday. I think I'll have to pick one up and try it for the Sav and my Iggies. Thanks so much for the info!!

    I'd like to thank you guys for all the help. I really appreciate it!
  • 03-10-2010, 04:18 AM
    billwalsh
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Just a heads up, the purpose of using dirt is that it will keep the humidity where it needs to be, and allow them to burrow to accomplish things like thermoregulation.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany View Post
    Normally I see Savs kept on cypress mulch to keep the humidity up, but most prefer the dirt mix.

    This is because they cannot burrow in cypress mulch.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jhussey View Post
    How high should the humidity be? I keep finding mixed feeling on this topic. Some books/site say they need about 50-75%

    The goal is not a humidity number, it's a humidity gradient. You will see less humidity in areas such as under the basking lights, and more humidity in other areas of the enclosure.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jhussey View Post
    others say as long as they have a tub of water large enough to soak in, don't worry about it.

    As they don't take in water through anywhere but their mouth, soaking is useless. Lacking humidity your monitor will suffer all sorts of health problems.

    Good luck.
  • 03-10-2010, 04:20 AM
    billwalsh
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bsash View Post
    Yes, you could mist them, I personally just bought an automatic mister that I'm trying out made by Zoomed

    With your enclosure set up properly, with proper semi-moist substrate, you will not need to mist.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bsash View Post
    Well, I will let you know that I have always started my baby monitors off in my 125 gallon fish tank, but a lot of people will give you crap for it.

    That's because it's extremely bad advice and a great way to cause massive health problems for monitors. They are not fish or bearded dragons.

    Good luck.
  • 03-10-2010, 01:36 PM
    mumps
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Great advice, bill.

    I don't keep exanthematicus, but a good deep layer of plain ol' dirt is what's best for maintaining proper humidity gradients, like bill mentioned.

    Chris
  • 03-10-2010, 04:09 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jhussey View Post
    The mister you're using is it the Zoo Med Habba Mist automatic mister? It's been recommended to me for my Iggies so I dont have to spray them everyday. I think I'll have to pick one up and try it for the Sav and my Iggies. Thanks so much for the info!!

    I'd like to thank you guys for all the help. I really appreciate it!

    Yes, that is the mister that I use.
  • 03-10-2010, 04:19 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by billwalsh View Post
    With your enclosure set up properly, with proper semi-moist substrate, you will not need to mist.

    That's because it's extremely bad advice and a great way to cause massive health problems for monitors. They are not fish or bearded dragons.

    Good luck.

    Some times you do need to mist, even with the dirt, I've used it and is the best I have had as far as humidity control. The main reason that I like the excavator clay is because it hold the burrows better than anything else I have had in the past, but you do need to spray it once or twice a day.

    I have never had any problems with it, but they usually don't stay in there past their first year. Not trying to get on any ones crap-list, I'm just saying that is how I work it. Once I am done with the built enclosures, they just get moved into them.
  • 03-10-2010, 04:24 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mumps View Post
    Great advice, bill.

    I don't keep exanthematicus, but a good deep layer of plain ol' dirt is what's best for maintaining proper humidity gradients, like bill mentioned.

    Chris

    That is best for humidity, but the excavator clay works best for the burrows. As long as you don't mind misting, or buying an automatic mister, either or is great. Well, there is also the price difference, the excavator clay will cost you a fortune for a large enclosure, as the dirt is real cheap.
  • 03-10-2010, 05:41 PM
    Jhussey
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    What's the big negative with glass enclosures for monitors? Why are they acceptable for iguanas, bearded dragons, ball pythons etc, but not monitors?
  • 03-10-2010, 06:17 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    The downer with fish tanks for cages is, that they let the heat and humidity out right through the screen tops. However, my way around it was to use hotter heat lamps, under the tank heaters, mist more often, and cover the screen lids of the tanks with damp towels. For me it kept everything perfect, now you have a 175 gallon so it may be harder for you than me, I only have a 125 gallon. I just don't see why people don't understand, if I could make it work for me, and keep the heat and humidity good, why is it an issue? Are there other down falls that I am unaware of? The tanks are big enough for small ones, so if size/heat/humidity is not the true issue, then what is?
  • 03-10-2010, 09:10 PM
    capitalB
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    you can also build a full cover out of 1bys and plywood that would fit right on top of the aquarium. then just cut out for heat/lights and a few for ventilation.
    done deal.
    .
  • 03-10-2010, 09:19 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by capitalB View Post
    you can also build a full cover out of 1bys and plywood that would fit right on top of the aquarium. then just cut out for heat/lights and a few for ventilation.
    done deal.
    .

    You know, your the first person with a valid suggestion, although when I did that the plywood grew mold. But it did work better then the towels that I was using afterward. Now I just have custom enclosures that I just finished last week, and I am just decorating them, and really going all out.
  • 03-11-2010, 07:52 PM
    capitalB
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    yeah bsash what i did was (although the aquarium was only used for a short time) seal the underside with kilz and waterbased lacquer. as well as the rest of it with the lacquer. now it sits in my backyard collecting the wrath of nature.
    peace
  • 03-11-2010, 07:53 PM
    capitalB
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    by the way. would like to see your enclosures.
  • 03-11-2010, 08:12 PM
    BOWSER11788
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    elclosure size should be 6x4x4 at the least, I have a sv, dirt/sand mixture, i beleve its 70% dirt 30% sand
    actually
    http://savannahmonitor.org/
    best place ever
  • 03-11-2010, 08:52 PM
    capitalB
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    this aint mine but same idea
    http://savannahmonitor.org/housing/.

    scroll to bottom of page
  • 03-11-2010, 10:48 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by capitalB View Post
    by the way. would like to see your enclosures.

    I do have a camera, but it does not work with my computer for some reason. I am supposed to get a new one soon, so when that happens I will post some.
  • 03-11-2010, 10:52 PM
    bsash
    Re: Best substrate for a savannah
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by capitalB View Post
    this aint mine but same idea
    http://savannahmonitor.org/housing/.

    scroll to bottom of page

    Yeah that is what I did, and it grew mold. I did seal it, but I guess not good enough.
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