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PVC cage ventilation

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  • 11-22-2019, 03:12 PM
    WrongPython
    PVC cage ventilation
    Just received a background and ledges from Universal Rocks for my Sonoran boa's new enclosure and I'm getting ready to install them. I was planning on drilling some ventilation slits through the background with a dremel to match those on the back wall of the enclosure, but the background is a bit thicker than I expected and I'm not sure if I'll be able to make the slits. Some pictures for reference:

    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4674cce7af.jpg

    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...43ce628f31.jpg

    I'm wondering if I should just skip drilling the slits and put up the background as-is. I would think the extra vents I had put on the sides should provide enough ventilation for a non-bioactive enclosure with a one or two potted plants, but this is my first PVC enclosure and I'm not sure. Those who own PVC enclosures, what do you think? More pictures with the background propped up for reference:

    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d0f623aff5.jpg

    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5f1345f0a8.jpg

    Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
  • 11-22-2019, 03:16 PM
    wnateg
    I think it really matters what your humidity is. If you can get your humidity under control, then it's probably fine. Personally, that would probably not be enough airflow, but it could work for you.

    I like the background idea though. I've never heard of them, I'm checking them out.
  • 11-22-2019, 03:33 PM
    WrongPython
    Re: PVC cage ventilation
    Thanks! I'm trying to keep things in the 60-65% range and plan on using coco-based substrates. The ambient humidity by me varies quite a bit throughout the year -- it's in the 40% range right now, but can get as low as 20% and as high as 80% or more. Gotta love the East Coast!



    Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
  • 11-22-2019, 07:35 PM
    dakski
    Re: PVC cage ventilation
    Are there other slits, or just in the back. You want good ventilation. What type of cage is it?
  • 11-22-2019, 09:34 PM
    WrongPython
    Re: PVC cage ventilation
    There's two sets of 11 ~ 1/8" slits along the back wall and 7 ~1/8" slits on the left and right walls. Each set of slits on the back wall are 14" L x 6 1/2" H and each of the side wall slit sets are roughly 6 1/2" L x 6 1/2" H. The enclosure's made of 1/2" rigid expanded PVC; it's a nominal 48" x 24" x 24" enclosure by Kages, if that's any help.

    I think my dremel (a Dremel Micro) and accompanying bits should be up to snuff, but this is my first time working with such tools. The background is 1/2" of Universal Rock's REPT material. I want to make sure that the back wall slits really are necessary before I start cutting away at things -- there's no going back after I do.
  • 11-22-2019, 09:53 PM
    wnateg
    If it were me, I'd set everything up without cutting and measure the humidity, if it ain't too high, you're good go. I mean you still have air holes on the sides, so you could always through up a fan too if you really needed to get the air going better. I think it should be fine.

    Can you link me which one you bought from Universal Rocks? I looked through them all, but I want to make sure.
  • 01-01-2020, 06:33 PM
    WrongPython
    Re: PVC cage ventilation
    Alright, I'm going to resurrect this thread because I'm pretty sure I'm running in to a ventilation issue.

    I hydrated a three-brick pack of EcoEarth about two weeks ago, squeezed out as much water as I could, and put it in the enclosure. It's dried out a good bit in those two weeks between me turning the RHP on and leaving the doors partially opened, but the enclosure is still reading in at 90% + humidity at snake level. Even taking out most of the substrate and replenishing it to around 1 - 1.5" deep with some bone-dry EcoEarth I had around for spot changes hasn't helped. While the air in my flat is pretty still and the vents on the back wall I cut through the background aren't the widest, there's still 28 ventilation slits and a couple of cord holes in the top parts of the walls that should've provided enough air exchange.

    At this point, I think I need to add some DIY surplus ventilation to better manage humidity and make sure my boa isn't breathing stagnant air. I've heard of people adding in fans and putting vents on the lower wall on the cool side, but those threads are a bit old and their images are no longer there. Does anyone mind chiming in with their PVC ventilation improvements?
  • 01-01-2020, 07:01 PM
    Reinz
    I used to use Eco-Earth exclusively when I ran tanks. When I switched over to PVC enclosures I encountered the same problems you are.

    It would take a full day or two of industrial grade blowers (more powerful than fans) to drop the humidity to acceptable levels. Sometimes the humidity would be excessive again within a day or two and I would repeat with the blowers.

    Always remember, when your temps are constant the way to control humidity is by either adding water to increase, or adding air flow to decrease.
  • 01-01-2020, 10:26 PM
    wnateg
    A fan will make a huge difference. I have a 10" fan like 6 ft away pointed indirectly at my retic tub, and it'll drop the humidity 20%. I don't need it anymore, I think there was moisture in the substrate even when it seemed dry.
  • 01-01-2020, 11:57 PM
    Reinz
    I forgot to add: For quickest results, if you can take the snake out of the cage for roam time or put it in a temporary enclosure; then take the doors off of the pvc cage to run the fan on high. Angle the fan on one end so that air comes in on door hole and out the other. This provides the maximum air flow. Then if you still need more airflow while the snake is back in the pvc cage, just open each door enough so the snake can’t get out or open the doors, and run the fan the same way.
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