Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been reading this forum fo some time and finally decided to write in. I have a question for you folks. I know some people recomend a solid top to an enclosure to keep heat and humidity in. What do you do for air circulation? I have always used a partial screen or wire top for my wooden/plexiglass enclosures.

I have 1 blackthroat monitor now (I have had others) that is on medication to get rid of parasites. He was way to skinny when I got him, but I had to have him to give him a good home. My other reptiles are chameleons and young water dragons.

I put small vents on the sides of the enclosure, around 2/3 of the way down. Relative to the size of the enclosure, the vents are small. With my hatchling raise up enclosures I have no vents, just the gap between the sliding glass front. That's too much as it is, in my opinion.

The way I look at humidity in an enclosure is this: I visualise the enclosure upside down, trying to hold water. Water will seek the lowest point and will escape, no matter how small or large the hole, unless the hole is extremely tiny. Now turn the enclosure right side up (in your mind, of course) and imagine warm, humid air rising. Just like the water (but in reverse) it will seek the highest point and escape. Small hole or large hole, it makes no difference, it will escape quickly.

Once you've done that, think about vents lower down the sides and how they'd work.

drzrider,
I ride a YZ myself, Even though you ride a Suzuki, I will help you.
To add to what David said; I use adjustable heating vents that are sold for installation in your house. I use one about 2/3 the way up, and one lower down. I can FEEL the hot are escaping out the top vent. I adjust them to control this rate. Cool air flows in the bottom, hot air out the top. This allows me to fine tune air flow, and adjust how "full" the "upside down" tank is. My large enclosure is also fully insulated, just like a house. That minimizes energy used.
Hope that makes sense.

Cheers
Jim

My DRZ is blue, that has to count for something. Anyway, thanks for the help. It all makes perfect sense.