Problem (condensation on the glass)

[Stig01902]

Hi everyone, just set up my viv (no tortoise yet) used 1x bag of substrate mixed with coco block as advised, got lights switched on as I'm trying to get temp right,, problem =glass doors steaming up down cool end, 😕

 

[TammyJ]

Our experts will need pictures, and details of your lights and temperatures.

 

[wellington]

Heat and water/moisture makes humidity which will steam/condensate on the glass. That's a good thing. You want humidity.

 

[Stig01902]

Our experts will need pictures, and details of your lights and temperatures.

 

[Stig01902]

I've got thermostat set at 88

 

[wellington]

Clay saucer which will have a bit lower sides is better for a water dish and should be lowered into the substrate so the rim is barely above substrate.
What species are you getting?
Where is the uvb bulb? Cuz if that's a mercury vapor bulb you show in pic, you don't want to use it. They are too hot and will cause pyramiding.
You want a tube florescent for uvb
A incandescent flood bulb for basking and a ceramic heat emitter for night heat and added day heat when needed.

 

[Stig01902]

Clay saucer which will have a bit lower sides is better for a water dish and should be lowered into the substrate so the rim is barely above substrate.
What species are you getting?
Where is the uvb bulb? Cuz if that's a mercury vapor bulb you show in pic, you don't want to use it. They are too hot and will cause pyramiding.
You want a tube florescent for uvb
A incandescent flood bulb for basking and a ceramic heat emitter for night heat and added day heat when needed.

 

[Stig01902]

Herman

 

[Maggie3fan]

Our experts will need pictures, and details of your lights and temperatures.

Tammy...YOU are one (or 2 ) of our experts...

 

[Tom]

Hi everyone, just set up my viv (no tortoise yet) used 1x bag of substrate mixed with coco block as advised, got lights switched on as I'm trying to get temp right,, problem =glass doors steaming up down cool end, 😕

Warm damp air will always condense on glass when the outside temp is cooler than the inside temp. If you had a chilled enclosure in a warm humid room, the condensation would form on the outside.

Here is what I see:
1. If you are going to use coir, you need to hand pack it down firmly.
2. That water dish is not suitable. Get a terra cotta saucer and sink it into the substrate.
3. Do you have a UV meter? A Solarmeter 6.5? If not, I would not trust that UV tube to put out enough UV.
4. That basking bulb looks like either a MVB or a spot bulb. Either of those are bad and should to be used over a young growing tortoise. You want a regular incandescent flood bulb. Arcadia sells these in a variety of wattages.
5. You said the thermostat was set to 88, but what heating device is set on it? 88 Is way to high for a hermanni for ambient over night. The thermostat should be connected to a CHE or RHP and set to 70 degrees. The basking bulb and HO UV tube, should warm the enclosure up to around 80ish during the day. Do not set your basking bulb on a thermostat. The "sun" should not be going on and off all day. If the basking bulb is overheating the whole enclosure, go with a lower wattage, but save that higher wattage bulb for winter time. You might need it.

Please read this thread, and look for the heating/lighting breakdown and the temperate species care sheet near the bottom.

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Stig01902]

Warm damp air will always condense on glass when the outside temp is cooler than the inside temp. If you had a chilled enclosure in a warm humid room, the condensation would form on the outside.

Here is what I see:
1. If you are going to use coir, you need to hand pack it down firmly.
2. That water dish is not suitable. Get a terra cotta saucer and sink it into the substrate.
3. Do you have a UV meter? A Solarmeter 6.5? If not, I would not trust that UV tube to put out enough UV.
4. That basking bulb looks like either a MVB or a spot bulb. Either of those are bad and should to be used over a young growing tortoise. You want a regular incandescent flood bulb. Arcadia sells these in a variety of wattages.
5. You said the thermostat was set to 88, but what heating device is set on it? 88 Is way to high for a hermanni for ambient over night. The thermostat should be connected to a CHE or RHP and set to 70 degrees. The basking bulb and HO UV tube, should warm the enclosure up to around 80ish during the day. Do not set your basking bulb on a thermostat. The "sun" should not be going on and off all day. If the basking bulb is overheating the whole enclosure, go with a lower wattage, but save that higher wattage bulb for winter time. You might need it.

Please read this thread, and look for the heating/lighting breakdown and the temperate species care sheet near the bottom.

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Notes taken many thanks

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Being wise enough to have everything ready before getting your tortoise will pay for itself soon.
So few of us started out this way.
Welcome to the forum