Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I constructed a new rack system out of melamine a week ago and today I noticed a few things that really concern me. You can see a pic of the shelf HERE

First, I constructed the shelf with sterilite containers and made sure to leave a gap between the rim of the container and the shelf (the thickness of a quarter). I also drilled two rows of air holes at the top of each container. Today I noticed moisture trapped in the lower corners of the cages - and my baby leos new poop had mold on it (I know this is very bad). I think this happened because two nights ago I changed their old humid hides to larger tupperware containers (which have more moss and thus, more moisture) I know I have to fix this, but my question is - what is the best way? Should I drill twop more rows of holes? Should I add a screen square to the front and back? Any advice would be great! Thank you.

-Sean
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livXpreshun
1.1 High Yellow Leopard Geckos "Halo & Storm" [seperate cages]
0.1 Patternless Female Leopard Gecko "Wave"

"It takes a certain maturity of mind to accept that nature works as steadily in rust as in rose petals." - Esther Warner Dendel

Sean:

I would recommend putting more holes around the tops of the containers for a couple of reasons. First off, the more air flow the better. That will keep the humidity and condensation down. However, I would also not wet the moss inside the hides as much, which will also keep the condensation and humidity down inside the tank. With increased air circulation the moist air should not be a problem for you anymore.

Hope it helps. I had a similar problem early in my first rack (which wasn't very good), but it was mostly becaus I had only put 1 row of flow holes. If you only have the holes in the front, back or front and back consider some on the sides as well. That way, depending on the temperature in the surround house air, as well as humidity you will have all directions covered. I'm not science major, but this situation should work very similarly to osmosis. The moist air is going to disperse into the dryer air, therefore if it can go out the sides as well as the front and back lips you have a better chance of more water escaping.

Jeff

drill more holes and you hit the nail on the head with the humid hides. I think I will reduce the water and replace the paper towels tonight.

And Jeff - I wanted to write a note about the run in we had about your leo Sara. I replied later and am not sure if you read it - but my beliefs got me heated. I did disagree with you - but was pleased you took her to the vet. After re-reading my post I saw that my tone could have been more polite, so I apologize for that. Thanks for the advice.

-Sean
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livXpreshun
1.1 High Yellow Leopard Geckos "Halo & Storm" [seperate cages]
0.1 Patternless Female Leopard Gecko "Wave"

"It takes a certain maturity of mind to accept that nature works as steadily in rust as in rose petals." - Esther Warner Dendel

Well, she still isn't doing very well, but I keep feeding her everyday. Sometimes she seems so miserable that I wonder if I"m just prolonging her agony.

I have to go back to the vet tomorrow. Someone brought me a 6 foot boa the other day, and it was kept in poor condition. The snake has a great disposition, but I"m noticing a slight hiss when it exhales, so I'm thinking it might have a respiratory infection... *sigh*

LOL

Jeff

If you are not keeping breeding females in the rack you don't need a humid hide. The water dish holds plenty moisture just to help shedding.
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Rick-Geckoland USA

I guess my main concern is my adult female loves the humid hide. Can I keep it slightly damp for her or will I run into this same problem? Thank you!

-Sean
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livXpreshun
1.1 High Yellow Leopard Geckos "Halo & Storm" [seperate cages]
0.1 Patternless Female Leopard Gecko "Wave"

"It takes a certain maturity of mind to accept that nature works as steadily in rust as in rose petals." - Esther Warner Dendel

If you can get the humidity thing under control, go for it of else it will be more of a problem than it's worth. All my female breeders have humid hides in their breeding enclosures but the hatchlings (they do need misting when they are real young)and sub-adults really don't need them.
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Rick-Geckoland USA

Most of the adult, single leos that I have rarely get their humid hide sprayed daily. Hatchling and gravid females on the other hand get their humid hide sprayed at the least every other day if not daily. I think most nubies are not aware that adults do not need daily humidity.

It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to misting, if you leo has had shedding problems in the past, it best to keep their humid hide moist at all times.

I am acutally not a newbie to geckos - i've been doing this for 4 years - i am just new to the breeding rack set-up. I guess i have always leaned to your second comment - that is - better safe than sorry - but the moisture in these things is crazy!

I think the main cause is when i spray I turn the soil and saturate it. Should i keep the hide and just spray the top of the peat once in a while? Or, do you think I should just remove the dry warm hide next to the warm humid hide and then not mist the soil? (thus making one warm dry hide and an open area of the heat mat? Thanks!
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livXpreshun
1.1 High Yellow Leopard Geckos "Halo & Storm" [seperate cages]
0.1 Patternless Female Leopard Gecko "Wave"

"It takes a certain maturity of mind to accept that nature works as steadily in rust as in rose petals." - Esther Warner Dendel

I wasn’t really implying that you were a newbie, I was just trying to inform people new to leopards that Rick’s comments were correct. Sorry for any confusion. I know I wasn’t aware that adult leos do not always need a humid hide when I first started in this hobby.

I’ve had pretty good luck without providing a dry warm hide. What I typically do is put a piece of plastic plant near the heat source, to give them a bit of privacy while basking (if you can call it that).

It sounds like you may be misting too much. If you were to squeeze the soil or moss after misting, you should only get a few drops of water. This tells you that your substrate is moist, but not soggy. Hope this helps!

DaveCable