How to Set Up an Ackie Monitor Enclosure

For your convenience, we have put together a list of supplies that ReptiFiles personally recommends to help you set up a functional ackie monitor enclosure, exactly the way it should be. In other words, we’ve practically already done the shopping for you! 😉 This page also contains affiliate links. For information on why we use affiliate links, please read our Affiliate Disclosure.

Reptiles are not inexpensive pets, and that includes ackie monitors. They require a spacious enclosure, plenty of enrichment items, and a range of life-support equipment to replicate the conditions of their natural habitat — all of that adds up! If you are not prepared to purchase EVERYTHING required for the health and wellbeing of an ackie monitor, this is not the pet for you.

For advice on how to choose a healthy pet ackie monitor, click here.

Custom Reptile Habitats 5’ x 2.5’ x 4’ enclosure with 24″ substrate barrier (or larger)
34″ Arcadia Desert 12% UVB
36″ Vivarium Electronics T5 HO Fixture
Arcadia Jungle Dawn LED Bar, x2
Philips 100w PAR38 Halogen Heat Lamp Bulb, x2
Zoo Med Combo Deep Dome Dual Lamp Fixture
Lutron Credenza Plug-In Lamp Dimmer, x2
Etekcity 774 Infrared Thermometer
Retes Stack**
- Flagstones or paver stones*
- 2″ x 2″ wood spacers*
- Stilts*
Zilla 24/7 Digital Power Center
Shower Head Watering Can
Sand, 25 cubic feet*
Decorations
Exo Terra Worm Dish, medium
Exo Terra Water Bowl, medium
Repashy Calcium Plus LoD supplement
Zoo Med Angled Stainless Steel Feeding Tongs

Approximate minimum investment before you buy the ackie or insects: $1600 USD

* I recommend buying these materials from a local landscaping/home improvement store rather than ordering online — you’ll save a LOT on shipping!

** Instructions on how to build a Retes Stack can be found here.

*** Check to make sure that the plants you choose are nontoxic with The Tortoise Table.

All of these supplies for just one ackie monitor may seem ridiculously expensive, and after seeing the number above, you may be questioning whether all of it is really “necessary.” The answer? Yes. It is necessary! ReptiFiles advocates for a higher, more humane standard of reptile care, and that starts with more investment in the enclosure and supplies. Reptiles are NOT cheap pets.

Fortunately, with this shopping list, you can buy things one at a time as your budget permits. Furthermore, it doesn’t have to be quite as expensive as suggested above. There are some ways to save money, such as building your own enclosure and making/scavenging your own décor items. However, beware: there are other things that can’t be skimped on without potentially threatening your pet’s welfare, such as high-quality UVB bulbs and fixtures.

Keep in mind that your ackie monitor setup needs to be entirely ready to go before you bring home your new pet. This will save you a lot of stress, and does your new pet a big favor, too.

We also recommend finding an experienced reptile veterinarian in your area. It’s always better to do a little bit of research when nothing’s wrong than to find yourself in a panic when your pet gets sick.

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