HUMIDITY (please read)

Alex Dew · 09-08-03, 02:36 PM

Hey all

A few days ago i oput a 40w basking lamp in my viv. And now the cool end of the viv has always got condesation on he glass (only the cool end though). The water bowl isn't on the heat mat but I also but a little plate under the water bowl, just to make sure it isnt even touching the ground let alone the heat mat. But condinsation still comes up on the cool end of the glass.

So should I just leave it like this or do you thin its too much condensation???

Thanks

Alex

BurmBaroness · 09-08-03, 04:36 PM

Ball pythons do not need that much humidity. What type of cage/tank do you have him in? My concerns with that much humidity would be possible respiratory problems. I can't really help till I know what you're keeping the BP in, tho. Give us a little more info, such as cage type, temps, substrate, etc.

eyespy · 09-08-03, 04:39 PM

I'd double check the temps as well with either a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer with a probe or an infrared gun. That much condensation probably means the enclosure is way too hot in places.

Infectrix · 09-08-03, 05:13 PM

Get a hygrometer to measure your humidity.. 60-70% is normally where you should be at with a BP..

I've tried to picture that enclosure and on one side you have a heat pad with a water bowl above it and on the other side you have a 40w lamp.. Right..?

The reason why you have condensation on the cooler side is because the air on that side of the tank is too cold to hold the moisture in the enclosure.. That obviously means you have a temp gradient

.. The heat pad underneath the water bowl (touching or not) is vaporizing the water.. The warmer air on the lamp side can hold it (moisture), the cooler air on the heat pad side can't..

Ensure the temps are right, 80/cool 90/warm.. Get rid of the substrate if it's holding water or can hold water and keep a dry substrate.. Don't place the water bowl under/over your heat sources unless you want to raise the humidity during shed times..

tHeGiNo · 09-08-03, 05:48 PM

Eyespy, that isn't necessarily true. I just set up a small BCI recently in a rubber maid but forgot to drill ventilation holes in it. Nevertheless, there was a collection of condensation all over the walls. Soon as I drilled some vent holes, the problem was no longer a problem

Jeff_Favelle · 09-08-03, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Ball pythons do not need that much humidity.

Ball Pythons live/thrive in a lot more humidity than you would think.

BurmBaroness · 09-08-03, 08:50 PM

I agree that pythons don't seem to suffer with higher humidity. My concern would be what bedding she is using, bacause if the cage is that moist, then there is a good chance the bedding can mold, causing respiratory problems. I admit I was a little unclear in my previous post.........lol. Sorry.

eyespy · 09-08-03, 09:16 PM

thegino, most of the cages I've zapped with a temp gun that have condensation like that have at least 1 or 2 areas with temps that exceed 115. It generally takes way more than 95 degrees to evaporate that much water to get that sort of condensation.

Did you gun the inside of that bin before you drilled the vent holes? They'd drop the ambient temp a fair bit.

Linds · 09-08-03, 10:00 PM

Condensation is caused by a) very high humidity b) improper ventilation c) difference in temperature (significantly warmer on one side of the glass/plastic than the other). Figure out which is the culprit and go from there...

Jeff_Favelle · 09-09-03, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Condensation is caused by a) very high humidity b) improper ventilation

"Improper ventilation"? I'd say proper ventilation. For sure.

Alex Dew · 09-09-03, 02:08 PM

OK thanks all.
Well the viv is a glass on and it did have a plastic lid (a fish tank) but i got rid of the plastic lid and made a wooden one. I must say that there is not mush ventilation, so should i drill some really small wholes through the wooeden lid??? and if so, how many???
For substrait I am using one layer of paper towel and on top of that loads of shredded up newspaper. should I change the substrait and if so, what too???

One other thing should I raise the water bowel some more of the ground, but putting like a 3inch piece of wood under it???

Thanks

Alex

Alex Dew · 09-10-03, 12:59 PM

can anyone help???

Alex Dew · 09-12-03, 07:35 AM

I really need some help, so I thought I woul come here. So please help.

Thanks

Alex

indea · 09-12-03, 10:48 AM

u can drill some small say 7 mm holes in the back of the hood so u dont see it just add more holes until the problem stops