Question regarding air flow versus Humidity

A newbie question. I'm setting up my tank habitat (glass) and made a custom plexiglas top for it. Why it is great for holding in humidity and maintaining temperature, I only put a small set of holes on either side of it.

How much air flow does my BP need? I want to create a stable warm/humid home for him but don't want to suffocate him at the same time?

Thanks~~

Good question.

You could add more holes to increase air flow, then just cover them up when your BP is in shed. THAT is when they really need extra humidity. I would say you are fine, provided there isn't molding or condensation happening on the inside.

JonV

That was my though also. I just finished the top and figured I'd wait till the humidity stabilized and then add additional holes if its high enough. I live in FL which means rather high humidity most of the year anyway. Humidity was at 45% when I put it on about 2-hours ago (we're cold and dry now) and has already increased to 60% with a water bowl inside. My Spider BP is coming from rcreptiles.com on Wednesday so I want the habitat to be perfected by then.

Since you are in Florida you could put some more holes in the top for extra airflow, it sounds like things will stay humid just fine. BP's can tolerate a wide range of humidity, so provided there's no creepy-crawlies growing in the cage you'll be fine.

JonV

i think this is a really good question that most ppl will ask or think about about atleast once ... i was told by the shop owner, i bought my BP from, that they dont need airflow and humidity is pirority... but she also said BP's are from tropical forest and need humidity 80% or more and that they only need one hide... so is the hole stagnet air thing just a myth ?? or do they really need high airflow ?

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Originally Posted by SnM_Man

i think this is a really good question that most ppl will ask or think about about atleast once ... i was told by the shop owner, i bought my BP from, that they dont need airflow and humidity is pirority... but she also said BP's are from tropical forest and need humidity 80% or more and that they only need one hide... so is the hole stagnet air thing just a myth ?? or do they really need high airflow ?

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The shop owner needs to educate themself on BP's.

Flexibility is the solution, I think. I drilled many more holes but put a sliding cover over each side so I can adjust the number of holes that are open. When humidity is up, I'll open more holes. When it is low, I'll close them off!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SnM_Man

i think this is a really good question that most ppl will ask or think about about atleast once ... i was told by the shop owner, i bought my BP from, that they dont need airflow and humidity is pirority... but she also said BP's are from tropical forest and need humidity 80% or more and that they only need one hide... so is the hole stagnet air thing just a myth ?? or do they really need high airflow ?

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wow, a living creature does not require air circulation? that's news to me. also the BP is not from a tropical forest they are from the temperate zone of Africa. she really should educate her self so she doesn't sound like a moron selling the animals in her store. they need 50% humidity for healthy respiratory functions and 70-80% in a shed only.

And only one hide? Everything I've read says two hides, one warm side and one cool. Thermometers on both sides and I also purchased an IR thermometer so I can check temps on all surfaces anywhere in the tank. A UTH on one side. My hole-system is on either side so I can open them on the cool side but keep the warm side closed if needed and vice versa.

Looks like this will work very well. It's as cold and dry a morning as it gets in N. FL. I had the tank open with no water bowl when I was working on my top. Humidity dropped to 20%. I put the finished top on with a bowl of water inside and completely closed it up. Humidity rose to 55% in 2-hours and I opened the holes. It appears that it is stable at 55% with the holes open. I can close it up again if I need it to go higher.