How to lower humidity?

[TheSuppishOne]

I'm needing your help because I don't understand why my humidity is so high. Right now it's holding at around 60%, which according to the Dumeril's care sheets I've read is the high end. They say that it's supposed to be between 40-60%. My lid is already starting to look like swiss cheese, and I even installed a "vent" on the cool side of the cage.

http://i50.tinypic.com/21o8pvl.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/v7ckk2.jpg

The UTH stays around 85-90F (it should stay at 90, but it's just a cheap ExoTerra Desert while I wait for my Ultratherm), and it's under the log hide you see on the right side, so it's not right underneath the water bowl or anything. Also, I live in LA where the humidity is nil. Do I need to cut more holes in the lid? Should I install another vent on the hot side of the cage?

I really don't understand. To boot, my inside air temps range from 70-80 degrees, and they should pretty much stay at 80. What am I doing wrong, here?

[KORBIN5895]

Did you test run it? If so what was it like?

Try using a smaller bowl as that looks big.

[ReptiWoman]

You could try adding a few holes on the side of the tub, I've noticed that humidity escapes better through the sides then from the top when it comes to tubs.

[TheSuppishOne]

You could try adding a few holes on the side of the tub, I've noticed that humidity escapes better through the sides then from the top when it comes to tubs.

I can do that. I'll go to Lowe's today and get another vent setup. =]

[ReptiWoman]

I can do that. I'll go to Lowe's today and get another vent setup. =]

Its usually easier to just get a cheap soldering iron and use that to make holes :) works like a charm.. can get a little smelly tho lol

[stephanbakir]

First of all, just about every cheap device used to measure humidity is crap, assume that its off by as much as 15%. Try putting a few different ones in there and see what they read.

Then take them out and read the rooms humidity, go from there.

[stephanbakir]

Its usually easier to just get a cheap soldering iron and use that to make holes :) works like a charm.. can get a little smelly tho lol
Since his animal is currently being housed in the container, might not e the best idea to fill it with melted plastic fumes.

[TheSuppishOne]

Yeah, I have a dual zone Extech hygro/thermo with a probe. It's not cheap and it reads extremely accurately. I tested about 6 different units and they all were within 2 or 3 degrees of each other, then returned the cheap ones. The Extech was $60. Not cheap, lol.

Also, that's what I've been doing. But I make sure to take the lid off when poking holes, to allow the fumes to exit. Not subjecting my new snake to toxic plastic fumes, haha. The advantage of the second vent is that I have more ability to moderate the humidity, since I can cover the holes when he goes into shed.

=D

[ReptiWoman]

Since his animal is currently being housed in the container, might not e the best idea to fill it with melted plastic fumes.

I just assumed while he was making changes to the enclosure the snake would be taken out lol

[Terranaut]

Measure the room the cage is in. Is it the same in the room as in the cage? If they are you could drill a million holes and change nothing?
Post your findings :) also I don't think 60% is bad at all but I will admit my boas are bci's so I might be wrong.

[TheSuppishOne]

I put about 25 holes total into the sides and front of the enclosure, and voila. The humidity now is staying at around 50%! The temp got better, too! =D

[ReptiWoman]

I put about 25 holes total into the sides and front of the enclosure, and voila. The humidity now is staying at around 50%! The temp got better, too! =D

YAY!! Glad it worked out for you!

[smy_749]

YAY!! Glad it worked out for you!


Where is your water bowl, if its under the UTH it will cause more evaporation...could have been the source of your problem and it looks like the water bowl is in the middle of the tank in your picture.

[NCHornet]

I was going to reply that increased air circulation is the best way to lower humidity but you already discovered this. Good job!!!

[TheSuppishOne]

I was going to reply that increased air circulation is the best way to lower humidity but you already discovered this. Good job!!!

Increased air circulation you say?

http://i46.tinypic.com/4vod1i.jpg

Lol, yeah, I figured that it would help, so I bought a $6 heat-sink/fan combo, did a little soldering to a 9v battery and a variable speed fan controller ($7), and there you go. Humidity drops to 35% if I want it to. Now I can control it to a great degree of accuracy! AND it gives little Flint a real-world-weather feel!

[NCHornet]

Air circulation doesn't have to be a felt wind to drop humidity, but it will drop it lower as you have discovered. Just don't cause a mock up hurricane and Flint will be just fine. Good Job!!!!

[smy_749]

I dont want to nag and ask the same question again, but is your water dish in close proximity to the heat pad. I put mine over my UTH specifically to keep the humidity up. If thats the case, you wouldn't need the fan, however fresh air will probably only do good so no harm.

[TheSuppishOne]

If you read my original post, you'll see that I said that it isn't... =P

[smy_749]

If you read my original post, you'll see that I said that it isn't... =P

Ah sorry overlooked it.