• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

Is condesation a problem?

rerat

rerat

New member
I'm SO sorry about the masses of questions, I'd put them all in the sam ethread but I keep thinking of more and more. I have been running the UTH to get an avg temp going on each half ( no snake yet) and I've noticed under the hide, on the top of the inside, lots of condensation is starting to form. Will this be a problem for the snake? Also, is 80-81 too warm for the cool side of the tank? the warm side is at 84 and inside the hide probably about 86.
 
Well, 87 to 89 does seem a bit high. I try to keep my warmest temps at 85. According to some members of this forum temps that are too high may cause the snake to regurge (which causes a whole host of other problems), but I have no personal experience to back that up. I'd say its probably worth avoiding though.

To lower the temps a bit you could add more substrate between the hide and the UTH (just in case you haven't thought of that already). :)

I'd also say 81 would be a bit high for the cool side of the tank, but then some people don't even offer a temperature gradient and their snakes do fine. So as long as temps aren't in the "danger zone" I'd say they are probably fine.

Oh yeah, and if condensation is forming then you may have too much humidity... you don't want the substrate to start getting moldy or anything. Corns don't need much humidity unless its shedding time (although this sounds like a good set up for shedding).

Good luck getting everything all set up! :)
 
I think 85 is too high as well. I keep my high side at 82 and the low in the low 70's. As Katie said, condensation is a no-no for corns. You don't want to end up with skin blistering and such. Corns don't require high humidities, and I've found even during shed, that a daily misting of the viv is all that is required to provide enough for a good one piece shed.
 
Well I really don't know any way to keep the temps down, it's DAMN hot around here lately..Ehg..this sucks.
 
I've also put a layer of newspaper between the glass and sub. the in-hide temp is now a high of 85. the low won't go lower than 82 or so..
 
Sounds like you'll need a rheostat to get the temp down, or just use the ambient air temps to keep the viv heated. You could also try putting the viv on or near the floor where it would be cooler. If your air temps are keeping the viv at 82, I wouldn't use a heater at all right now.
 
Eugh, even after layers of newspaper, there is still massive condensation of the inside of the hide..would it be because the Sub. is wet?
 
I think I'vepinpointed the moisture issue to masses of humid air, and the fact that the substrate that was SO briliantly chosen absorbs water like mad, and conducts massive heat when dry. It's a lose-lose. What's another option for substrate that won't retain moisture?
 
rerat said:
I think I'vepinpointed the moisture issue to masses of humid air, and the fact that the substrate that was SO briliantly chosen absorbs water like mad, and conducts massive heat when dry. It's a lose-lose. What's another option for substrate that won't retain moisture?
Click to expand...

I like to use Aspen mulch its the best :) especially when its the shredded kind so they can borrow hope this helps
 
Thanks, I've heard nothing but good things, i wish i hadn't bought this stuff originally.
19225.jpg


It abosrbs way to much, and it too hot when dry. Does Aspen have any moisture issues? As my room is VERY humid, and (obviously) I have heat issues, and my mom won't let us keep him upstairs under any circumstances. I'm stressing myself out over a snake I don't even own yet..
 
Aspen should reduce the problems with humidity you are having. You just need to keep an eye out for the aspen growing mold if the humidity is still high where you live, but hopefully that shouldn't be a problem.

Also, it sounds like the ambient temperature in your house may be fairly high, have you considered not using your UTH until it gets cooler there? I personally don't use any heat sources in the summer, they have been off for a while now. I just turn them on whenever we decide it gets too hot and we flip on the AC. Just something to consider....

And, rerat, don't worry too too much about your corn. I'm sure you'll have it right by the time you get him (and I should add that I'm impressed you have the foresight to get everything right before you bring him home). Anyway, just remember there are LOTS of different ways to do things right; no particular way is perfect. I'm sure you'll do fine. :)

Keep us updated on your progress.:)
 
So, not heat sources until cooler weather won't be an issue? Even if it lacks a heat gradient?
 
Do you have the water bowl over the UHT/on the warm side or have you been misting or soaking the substrate? It sounds like one of these might be causing the problem perhaps.

What kind of viv are you using? Is it possible to add more ventilation/vents?

Are you using a lamp for heat? Perhaps you could try a lower wattage?

Add a bunch of papertowels to soak up the moisture in the viv as it is and when it seems to be a good humidity you can remove them and see if the humidity stays right/condensation stops.

Hope some of these ideas have helped,

Adèle
 
I have no been misting, the water dish, as of now is empty, and on the cool side. I'm getting Aspen substrate today, and will be running a dehumidifier from now on in my room.
 
Slowwwwwww down......

I think you're all jumping the gun a little. ;)

Anytime you change wood substrates, the moisture that is inside the bag and wood will be evaporate when it is heated. After a few days it will dry out and the condensation will gradually subside. Residual moisture is perfectly fine and will not harm the snake as long as he isn't sitting in puddled water. I certainly don't recommend using a dehumidifier. Removing too much water from the room can be just as bad.

I'd suggest taking a deep breath and stop worrying about inconsequential details. Heat sources and temp gradients aren't required for a snake to thrive. If your room is at least 76 degrees in the summer you will be able to safely keep most colubrids.

FWIW, never make multiple changes to your husbandry practices simultaneously. If you do, and something goes wrong, you'll have no idea which variable caused the problem.
 
We keep our skink on the forest bark because it holds in moisture a little better than Aspen. That being said, it was wet when we first changed the viv, but between a week and two weeks later the forrest bark had dried out. Also, if you decide to stay with it, it usually has gnats in it. Before you put it in the viv you should poke some holes in the bag and stick it in the oven for a few minutes to kill anything that may be in there.
 
i would honestly go with the aspen shavings. the brand i use : "sunthing special" is dust-free, odorless, biodegradeable, naturally absorbent, and encourages nesting. its seems to be the #1 choice on the forums here, and i love it. i ve tried the repti-bark, paper towels and newspaper, and so far this has worked out great for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top