Condensation question.

[zeion97]

So, I recently added a large retic to my collection, a 7 foot one. He is currently housed in a plastic tote in a 79 degree room, and a hot side heated by heat tape which sits at around 89-87.

Here's my question, I've drilled holes three times now and I am STILL haing a LOT of condensation within the cage. I do not have anything that I can measure humidity with but I am worried that the large amount of condensation could be causing him a RI. The friend I got him from mentioned to me AFTER that he was not stored at his house, but with a friend. I've already fought off mites from him and now I feel like I'm struggling with a problem I face with every OTHER snake. No joke, every second snake I get has a RI. -___-

Would the high amount of condensation hasten the growth of bacteria? If he doesn't clean up soon I plan on taking him to the vet, but can I have any tips in the mean time. Bug most of all is the condensation a major role player in this?

[SquamishSerpents]

every second snake I get has a RI. -___-

You need to reconsider your sources, then!

First things first, what substrate are you using for your retic?

[KMG]

You need to reconsider your sources, then!

First things first, what substrate are you using for your retic?

Or husbandry.

You have that large collection of snakes without a single hygrometer?


Tell us more about the set up.

Substrate?

Size of water bowl?

Size of container?

Location and number of vent holes?

Any fans in the room?

[kitedemon]

Condensation forms when there is a warm object and cool object meet. The amount of RH will tell how little temp difference there is between to form. Yes I would be concerned they your ventilation is too low. Top located holes do not vent as well as bottom holes so I would add some low on the side.

You need a hygrometer, one for the room and some for enclosures.

[Raven01]

Condensation forms when there is a warm object and cool object meet. The amount of RH will tell how little temp difference there is between to form. Yes I would be concerned they your ventilation is too low. Top located holes do not vent as well as bottom holes so I would add some low on the side.

You need a hygrometer, one for the room and some for enclosures.

And a combination of low and high holes will vent even better.
Low holes by heat source will cause warm air to rise (neg. pressure locally) drawing in drier air from outside of the tub and the rising hot, moist air can vent through higher placed holes.

[KMG]

I guess its not that important.

[kitedemon]

And a combination of low and high holes will vent even better.
Low holes by heat source will cause warm air to rise (neg. pressure locally) drawing in drier air from outside of the tub and the rising hot, moist air can vent through higher placed holes.

thanks that is what I meant but not what I wrote.

[zeion97]

You need to reconsider your sources, then!

First things first, what substrate are you using for your retic?

This is the worst part, my second was a rescue who I KNEW was sick, my fourth was Isildur the snake I posted about last year, who just a few months ago I learned the man who sold me him sold off his collection (near 40 breeders) because of mites and RI's, I'm thankful I didn't get mites. my sixth wasa retic who passed from heart troubles, and my eight another retic, died when my thermostat failed. I have VERY bad luck... I also ONLY buy from breeders who I can trust now. A example is BHB or on here SnakesRKewl, people i now who have very good reviews. I really just believe my luck is bad....

Also he is on paper towels.

Or husbandry.

You have that large collection of snakes without a single hygrometer?


Tell us more about the set up.

Substrate?

Size of water bowl?

Size of container?

Location and number of vent holes?

Any fans in the room?

I have no trouble with my collection once I've had them, I'll also reword what I said, every other has something wrong with them. I'm not worried much about my husbandry besides with the retic because I've never used a tub before. Substrate as I said is paper towels, water bowl, 4 cup heavy ceramic, he kept spilling the large shallow 3 cup metal one. Container is a large shallow toat a little longer than a 40 breeder. 50 holes, 15 on the two long sides each and ten on the shorter width sides most are on the bottom. And a fan, no, there is a heater though which I have set to 79, but it runs the temp up to 80-81 than drops to 78 Nd turns back on, I have it off oscillation, and pointed towards the lower part of the rack, it is around 3 feet away though so the heat isn't to high.

Also, I have hygrometers, in my absence from the forum which was around 6 months I moved 4 times, had a child, and lost quite a bit of my stuff, I cant find them, and I have had little luck with the zoomed ones from pet smart. The only ones my walmarts have had recently since they're still switching over to spring, are the more expansive larger ones.

Condensation forms when there is a warm object and cool object meet. The amount of RH will tell how little temp difference there is between to form. Yes I would be concerned they your ventilation is too low. Top located holes do not vent as well as bottom holes so I would add some low on the side.

You need a hygrometer, one for the room and some for enclosures.

I'm waiting and hoping to get one soon, as I explained above, I will also drill more holes in the top on my next day off I thought with a larger surface area it would be Bette at the bottom near the heat source.. My stupidity in this case.

And a combination of low and high holes will vent even better.
Low holes by heat source will cause warm air to rise (neg. pressure locally) drawing in drier air from outside of the tub and the rising hot, moist air can vent through higher placed holes.

Thank you for the advice. goes very well for all I received from everyone.

I guess its not that important.

It actually was and is important. I clocked In 33 hours at work in the past two days. I came home and slept, apperantly my son bawled his head off all night and I slept through it. I apologize that I was working and didn't have time to give more info.


Thank you to everyone who has given me info and replied.

[KMG]

I doubt your heater is moving that much air in the room. Put a fan in the room at a low speed to circulate the air. This air flow will help the air exchange and should help your condensation problem. You will probably have to tweak the fan speed and air direction to get the needed results.