Too Hot/Humid?

[DopplerMel2000]

This is my first real spring/summer with my little man and I've noticed since it's gotten warmer, the humidity in his viv has been on the higher side (fluctuating between 40-60%, sometimes higher). I live in a tiny upper apartment, and it gets pretty hot in here which makes it hotter in there. I'm using a 75w basking bulb so I don't really want to up the wattage because its staying warmer in there now. He's a little over a year and I've also noticed his appetite has really been low the last few weeks. He barely eat his greens anymore (offered daily to him anyways). He'll eat an occasional dubia, occasional superworm and quite a few butterworms (which of course are the pricey ones lol) and will only eat 1 MAYBE 2 large hornworms at a time (is that even enough?) :dontknow: I also never see him bask anymore he just lays on his hammock on the cooler side.

My question is, could the higher humitidy and temp be causing his lack of appetite and lack of basking? Could he just be hormonal due to his age and only interested in the laaadies? :lol: As far as the high humidity goes, whats the best way to keep it low being in a tiny apartment with no AC? Can that humidity percentage start causing illness in the long run?

Here's a quick rundown on his environment:

40 gallon breeder tank
5.0 repti sun UVB
75w basking bulb
cabinet liner substrate (cushiony)
offered collards/turnip/mustard greens daily
lately when it's real warm, it's about 105-110 under bask, 90's on warm side and about 85-90 on cooler side
I take him out daily (snuggles!) and he gets baths 1 or 2 times a week

Other than the lack of appetite and laziness in the viv, he's been fine. He used to be a real regular pooper but not so much anymore, which would make sense not eating a much. He was however treated for pinworms by the vet over the winter and has seemed fine since...until lately. I do plan on doing a fecal exam for him soon just to be sure though.

Sorry for so much info I tend to ramble in posts! :sleepy2:

Thanks all! :wave:

 

[CooperDragon]

To cool it off a little, could you try elevating the basking bulb slightly? If the temps are off it can affect mood/appetite. How are you measuring the humidity? Without A/C, your best bet may be to increase airflow through the tank. Mounting AC versions of computer case fans can help with this for not a ton of money.

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. It might be your uvb. The reptisun 5.0 is more for tropical animals. The reptisun 10.0 Tube is the one you want and it needs to be mounted in the tank. I use a under the cabinet light fixture from Walmart and command hooks. Make sure there is nothing in between him and the uvb like plastic or a sceen.

 

[DopplerMel2000]

I got one of those Zoo Med thermostats with a humidity level on it, which probably isn't the most reliable thing in the world. But I do have one of those tiny little desk fans that I never use that I could mount on top...would that work ok you think? Elevating the basking light is an awesome idea and I'm almost embarrassed I didn't think of trying that sooner!

I didn't know that about the reptisun 5.0...hmm. Right now it sits on top of the screen top. I got this bulb just a few months ago although it was different than I usually get. This bulb itself is weirdly thin...The other fixture I had before was fatter of a bulb but I wanted to get a longer one to fill the tank more and the longer one came with this 5.0 thin bulb. The last one I had was a 10.0 and switched to the 5.0 so that would make sense too...

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah that could work. Anything to keep the air circulating.

 

[destiny1998]

Yeah, the screen is blocking most of the uvb rays. The 5.0 gives off way less uvb rays already then add the screen so he's not getting the proper amount of uvb. Is it warm where you live? If so you can take him outside for 30 mins to get some real sun. Or what I do is open a window and let mine bask on the winow ledge and they love it! Stay there for hours.

 

[DopplerMel2000]

Yeah that could work. Anything to keep the air circulating.

I will definitely be trying this! Thanks!

 

[DopplerMel2000]

Yeah, the screen is blocking most of the uvb rays. The 5.0 gives off way less uvb rays already then add the screen so he's not getting the proper amount of uvb. Is it warm where you live? If so you can take him outside for 30 mins to get some real sun. Or what I do is open a window and let mine bask on the winow ledge and they love it! Stay there for hours.

Oh yeah now that it's been warm out I've been taking him out a lot more on the balcony in the sun but only recently...it's been a cooold spring. 8)

 

[Taterbug]

I got one of those Zoo Med thermostats with a humidity level on it, which probably isn't the most reliable thing in the world. But I do have one of those tiny little desk fans that I never use that I could mount on top...would that work ok you think? Elevating the basking light is an awesome idea and I'm almost embarrassed I didn't think of trying that sooner!

I didn't know that about the reptisun 5.0...hmm. Right now it sits on top of the screen top. I got this bulb just a few months ago although it was different than I usually get. This bulb itself is weirdly thin...The other fixture I had before was fatter of a bulb but I wanted to get a longer one to fill the tank more and the longer one came with this 5.0 thin bulb. The last one I had was a 10.0 and switched to the 5.0 so that would make sense too...

It sounds like you have the reptisun T5 fixture? The bulbs are about half the size of the standard T8 and the fixture ships with a 5.0 bulb. The T5 are more powerful than the T8 and it's my understanding that the T5 reptisun 5.0 puts out comparable UVB in that fixture as a T8 reptisun 10. I'm not 100% certain but I got the impression that if you plan the setup right the 5.0 HO can produce adequate UVB. (You may still need to remove some screen). I'd check out the uvbmeter owners group on yahoo! Before completely ditching the bulb. They have measurements and info about many of the popular bulbs and you may be able to tweak your setup to get the same results.

Your warm side sounds alright, but it would be worth trying the fan to get the cool side down to give a steeper gradient.

 

[DopplerMel2000]

I took the advice about removing the screen and he seems to be doing a little better. It hasn't been too hot so the temps have been ok and the humidity seems to be a little lower without that screen, but then again it hasn't been very humid in here either. When it does get hot again, I'm going to use my little tiny fan for him.

He's still not eating like he was but he was enjoying the homemade strawberry banana smoothie I made earlier. hahaa

Thanks for the advice all!

 

[CooperDragon]

That photo made me smile. =)

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from Health to Enclosures

 

[jarich]

Ideally the humidity should be around 40-50% so there is no problem with what you were describing before. And I agree with Taterbug in that it sounds like you got yourself the HO T5 bulb now, which is great. Since you said it was the Zoomed, that means it has a reflector built into the fixture, which means that bulb is producing about twice what the T8 Reptisun 10.0 produces.

As for the light, you can also just go with a lower wattage bulb too. Drop down to a 40 or 50 watt bulb in the summer and you should still get the basking temps you want without it heating up the enclosure quite as much.

 

[DopplerMel2000]

It's so good to know I have a good UVB light for him! I do see that reflector under there too. I think going down to a 50watt is an excellent idea! Thanks!!