Just Saying Hello(pic intensive)

[whispersinmyhead]

My set up is the exact same except for the wet rag I had aluminum foil. I was also at a 42% average for humidity and I don't think it was enough for his most recent shed. Maybe ill try a damp rag for a while.

I was asking about the UVB bulb because I wasn't sure if they needed it or the pet store just wanted to make some money. Thanks for clearing it up.
The other thing I've heard is they need a light period so they know its day time. Is the ambient light from a window enough for them?

- Updated - - -

Windows light will be plenty. You just want to make sure they have a very dark night for 12 hours or so. I have even heard of so sleeping them in the dark 24/7 but I feel a day night cycle is nice.

If you are using a heat bulb stick with red or blue or a CHE. They kill your humidity as you know. I was using a CHE in a thermostat in my oak plywood cage. I used cypress mulch and poured water on it once or twice a week as required to keep humidity 50-65%. Cypress worked beautifully. Just very expensive. I switched to a melamine rack and love it!

Good see pics it never gets old seeing peoples pets.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MontyPython22]

- - - Updated - -

Windows light will be plenty. You just want to make sure they have a very dark night for 12 hours or so. I have even heard of so sleeping them in the dark 24/7 but I feel a day night cycle is nice.

If you are using a heat bulb stick with red or blue or a CHE. They kill your humidity as you know. I was using a CHE in a thermostat in my oak plywood cage. I used cypress mulch and poured water on it once or twice a week as required to keep humidity 50-65%. Cypress worked beautifully. Just very expensive. I switched to a melamine rack and love it!

Good see pics it never gets old seeing peoples pets.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the input. Im using a red light bulb right now. Im thinking of moving him and adding a thermostat and UTH to keep the humidity up until I can build him a new enclosure or switch to racks. I was wondering how damp I could keep the substrate during humidity. It's not aspen so I don't have to worry about mold. If it is nice and damp will this cause scale rot if its only for a few days? Instead of just a light misting.
Everyone loves pictures so I thought id add some. Thanks for the comments everyone.

[whispersinmyhead]

You don't want your substrate wet. That will cause scale rot. I poured water using a spray bottle without the sprayer so it was just more wet than misting the surface. Cypress really absorbed it well and it never felt wet and no sign of scale rot. Just a heads up, glass tanks can be used but loose heat readily so you will be fighting the whole time. It can be done though. There is a thread called glass tank setup I remember. Try searching "glass tank setup".


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MontyPython22]

Thanks for the help. Just found out my guy had mites when I took him out today. Just ordered some Cyprus mulch and some reptile spray. Im taking everything out to clean it. Nothing but paper towels, clean hides and water until the spray comes in. I think he got mites from the substrate I got from the pet store. I'm gonna soak him for a little before he goes back in and hope the reptile spray comes in soon. First time I have dealt with this...woohooo

[whispersinmyhead]

Mites suck! Sorry to hear that. I used NIX lice cream. It's a small bottle meant for humans but dilute the small bottle in 4L of distiller water and it worked like a charm. I went to a bare bones setup and sprayed everything including the animals two day in a row. Then once a week later and then again two weeks later.

I had no reptile spray available locally and would have to order from the states. If you have something for reptiles that others have had work then I always suggest erring on the side of caution and use that.

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MontyPython22]

Thanks for the help guys. Day one of the mite battle wish me luck....Found them early and there wasn't a lot of them so hopefully I will be able to get it under control.

Here's what the enclosure looks like now.


I bought some reptile spray for him to get rid of any mites that may still be lurking on him. Have to wait a while for that to come in though. Submerged everything in water with a little bleach and gave him a soak. Luckily I was also able to take the little bit of stuck shed off of him too.
I do have a few questions for anyone willing to answer. I bought reptile spray but I was wondering if I should also buy some PAM to get rid of any mites that are in the enclosure? or can I just spray a little reptile spray in there and maybe that will have the same effect? I also want to switch over to some cypress mulch from reptile basics. Should I bake it in the oven to get rid of any possible mites that are in there or is that just a myth?

Thanks again for the help everyone. For those of you that like pictures and all reptiles here's an extra.

[MontyPython22]

Any opinions on if the reptile spray can be used in the cage to fight the mites? and does baking substrate like cypress mulch kill any mites that could be in there?
Wanna find this out before my supplies come in the mail.

[Mr Oni]

Yea, baking it does work. Someone might have a temp and time they have used.

Mix up some eco earth with your substrate, keeps in the humidity really well.

[MontyPython22]

I've used coco fiber before for humidity but I wasn't sure if that might have mites in it or not. Thanks for the help I appreciate it. Ill look online for temps and the eco earth

edit: It is coco fiber lol, perfect ill grab some more of it.

[Mr Oni]

I've used coco fiber before for humidity but I wasn't sure if that might have mites in it or not. Thanks for the help I appreciate it. Ill look online for temps and the eco earth

edit: It is coco fiber lol, perfect ill grab some more of it.

Yeah just google your question and add bp.net after it. It works beter than the engine on this site.

I have an idea of the temps but i dont wanna throw out numbers im half sure on and ive seen people post diffrent times and temps to acomplish same result.

Good luck though