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RachandRob
Hatchling
United Kingdom
97 Posts |
 Posted - 09/11/2013 : 21:31:36
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Hi Folks
Just a quick question....we have a starter viv from Pets at home for our Royal. The size of the viv is 18"w, 11 1/2"d and 6" high. Now the question ....the heat mat that came with it is 10" wide. We are having a difficult time with regulating the humidity. The temp at the "hot side" of the tank goes between 29-30C but the humidity will range anywhere between 40-90C and we cannot seem to find a pattern. Obviously as it climbs we crack open the lid to release some of the humidity and this brings it back down again (it has gotten that high once, we usually see it between 45-60). We have tried everything we can think of, he is eating normally (he is a once a fortnight eater) and has gone through a very smooth shed. What we are wondering is if the heat mat is too large for the tank.
A little more info our guy is 5 and a half months old and weighs 195g.The thermostat in the tank is a ministat 100 and the temperature/humidity gauge is a thermo-hygrometer deluxe pro by lucky reptile.
Any help with this is very much appreciated! |
[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/rachandrob1/media/64faff40-4a99-4cd6-8172-4da37dc137c6_zps71f53f78.jpg.html] [/URL] |
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RachandRob
Hatchling
United Kingdom
97 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2013 : 21:34:04
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| forgot to mention it is a wooden viv...and has a space between the glass and wood (with a piece of polystyrene in between) if that helps. |
[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/rachandrob1/media/64faff40-4a99-4cd6-8172-4da37dc137c6_zps71f53f78.jpg.html][/URL] |
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jimmer7
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
661 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2013 : 22:55:46
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The best thing to do is get a 3ft x2ftx 2ft viv and use a guarded bulb or ceramic with a stat. The hot spot should be around 32 and cool end 82-84, you will never keep the ambient air temp up by just using a mat.
I know this dont help you now, but I would not worry so much about humidity, only if there going into shed, then I use a moss box.
I would worry morry about air temp not just surface temp.
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Winston Pinstripe
Pepsi Lesser Yb
Ronnie Sulfur Mojave
Sponge bob Firefly
Dr marshmallow brazilan black terranchala
Skellator costa Rican zebra T
Plus4 hissing cockroaches.
Reggie CA dwarf boa het blood
Willow Hognose |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2013 : 15:52:28
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You really don`t need to worry about the humidity to much as it will always vary, take a look at the weather forecast in Ghana today to see how it vary`s in the wild. http://www.weatherforecastmap.com/ghana/
Heat mats won`t change the air temp in a viv but they are fine for hatchling/young Royals upto around 600-800g max (i know because i have used them like this in the past.)
You will find that your humidity levels can be quite low at times due to the fact that your likely to have your central heating on more at this time of year, so when your Royal sheds it will need some extra moisture, you can always chuck in a wet flannel/tea towel. If your still struggling get a rub from Staples drill some holes in the front for ventilation as they are much better with heat mats, |
Royals owned "lots"
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boomslang
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2025 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2013 : 20:53:48
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| Whats this starter viv?is it a flat wooden type? Id upgrade when you can,Then use a ceramic or rad etc :) Wouldn't worry about the humidity,as the mat won't heat the air to bring it down. |
1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
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RachandRob
Hatchling
United Kingdom
97 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2013 : 21:00:52
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| Thanks everyone! We are upgrading (bought everything) should be here by Tuesday and we have gone for ceramic heating ....Will let everyone know how we get on! |
[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/rachandrob1/media/64faff40-4a99-4cd6-8172-4da37dc137c6_zps71f53f78.jpg.html][/URL] |
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anatess
Sub Adult
USA
669 Posts |
Posted - 12/11/2013 : 01:52:23
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For a 6" high viv, a heat mat will definitely raise the ambient temps. I have a 12" high RUB and the heat mat raises the ambient temperature enough to have a 10 degree Fahrenheit gradient across the RUB which is all that is needed.
Humidity is important. Yes, it can vary but low humidity (consistently under 50%) can get your royal off feed. This might not be as noticeable in the UK where humidity is generally higher. But this is very evident in Florida where we have months of near zero humidity and months of near 100 humidity. |
        
Snake owner since Oct 2008, so yeah, I'm no expert.
0.1.0 pastel royal
1.0.0 spider royal
0.1.0 albino royal
1.0.0 bumblebee royal
1.0.0 yellowbelly royal
0.0.1 wild-type royal
1.0.0 normal western hognose |
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RachandRob
Hatchling
United Kingdom
97 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2013 : 20:16:08
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Hi Guys
Just an update. We have moved "fluffy" aka Sir Hiss into his new vivarium (about 3 weeks ago now). I am glad to report that the transition has gone very smoothly, the temperature and humidity are lovely and he has taken all 3 of his feeds instead of being a once a fortnight eater!!!! 
We were quite nervous about moving him to a larger vivarium because i do realise that they like smaller spaces. We have 4 hides in this one a huge log that he seems to quite enjoy hanging off of the branch that comes off of it and we have also put alot of foliage that he likes to climb through (well slither) and just all around seems happier (as much as they can be lol). Thanks for everyones input! |
[URL=http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/rachandrob1/media/64faff40-4a99-4cd6-8172-4da37dc137c6_zps71f53f78.jpg.html][/URL] |
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anatess
Sub Adult
USA
669 Posts |
Posted - 22/11/2013 : 17:05:46
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AWESOME!!!
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Snake owner since Oct 2008, so yeah, I'm no expert.
0.1.0 pastel royal
1.0.0 spider royal
0.1.0 albino royal
1.0.0 bumblebee royal
1.0.0 yellowbelly royal
0.0.1 wild-type royal
1.0.0 normal western hognose |
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Topic |
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Pets at home starter kit for Royal
