Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok.. Some of you have noticed me posting pics and questions about the cage I have been slowly building. Well after having setup half of the cage to see how it runs under temp needs, and humidity needs everything seems fine. I have had the burm in there for about 1.5weeks now but last few days I have a problem. On the "cool" end, there is moisture build up on the vieweing window, and the humidity level reads 75-80% at all times. On the "hot" side temp is about 87-91 degrees and 65-75% humidity. I think this might be too much humidity unless he's shedding. Now my question is, should I install an adjustable air vent? If so, what type, and where on the enclosure is best? (high low, ceiling, etc) The cage holds humidty obviously EXTREMELY well, heat also. My substrate is probably 80% of the problem here as I have put cypress mulch in. I love the stuff as a substrate, b/c of the look. I suppose I could bake all the moisture out before I put it in the cage, right? Anyways I am asking you guys b/c everything you have told me so far is right on the money. Thanks for all the help again.

AS far as the vent goes, and just the idea not that I recommend a vent in your situation. Unfortunatly I am running out the house as I type, literally LOL.

I get all my vents at the hardware store, I don't use adjustable. Why they don't surface mount so easy I use reflectix on the back of my cages I found I can cover up the vent with this if I get to much venting.

Anyways I buy the standard register vent covers something like 3" x 10" or so. I mount them in the top of the cool side. I use a hole saw and simply cut two holes then cover them with the vent. Liquid nails it hold them in place.

Hope this helps, I will touch back later.
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.10 Red Hypo Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

Cypress mulch is very saturated when it is first taken out of the bag. I find that once it dries out it basically never absorbs as much water as it holds while it was "green" (term used to describe freshly cut wood). So you may just need to be patient.

Otherwise, I would not go out of my way to put in an adjustable vent. Like Jeremy, I prefer to just cover vents with something else. Reflectix works very well.

IIRC, your cool end is where the temporary wall is put up. You could put a vent in there are just drill a bunch of holes. I like to have ventilation down low for a burm. Most of the gases in their urates are heavier than air and in theory should exhaust better if the ventilation is down low.

By the way, I did just see your pictures in a thread from last week. I was out of town. Looking good and I'm glad to see the cage up and running.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)