Hi all,
I have a monitor cage that has a 8x4 galvanized steel tub as the substrate holder, with a wooden frame built around it. Inside I have a masonry tub that I use as the water tub with plumbing to the outside of the cage with a valve for easy drainage. For moisture, I ran a length of 1/2" poly tubing along the front wall and installed 4 misting heads, 2 90 degrees for the ends and 2 180 degrees for the middle. I have it on a time so it runs 1 minute each night after the lights go off.
Everything works great, except I have a leak where I had to cut a hole to have the water tub plumbing come through the galvanized tub and out through the wood frame. I have tried to seal with bathroom caulk, but it didnt stick to the galv. steel and became quite a mess. I also tried plumbers putty over top of the caulk and it still leaks. Its a slow drip that I can gather with a bucket, but it leaks against the wood and will eventually rot it out I believe. Should I try to remove all the current applications and get something like Mighty Putty? The gap between the pipe and the hole is not that big, so I just need something to shove in there. Another problem is the shed resides in a shed which gives me only about less than foot to work with by the valve, as you can see from the pictures. Its tough, but I can get my hand in to apply the materials.
Also, the cage is about 7 feet tall. He has a ton of room to move around. Its great, but hard to keep humidity. After the misters go off, the water gets absorbed by the substrate (decomposed granite, sand and top soil) and the top layer is dry and the cage is down to 40% humidity in no time. How would I keep the ambient humidity high? Get a fogger? He doesnt dig too much, although he has 3 feet to dig in. The walls are sealed except for a vent on the cool side I installed for summer hot days.
I appreciate your help
Jeff
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