Airflow problems with new enclosure

[blakewilson]

Hey guys just wanting some opinions on ventilation in this tank it has one vent in the middle of the back wall that is 15cm X 20cm. Im thinking that this is not enough as when i turn the lamp off at night it takes ages for the temp to drop. Im thinking this could be a nightmare on really hot days like today. In my exoterra tank it had the whole top, and just under the front doors there was a vent for air flow. i know i wouldn't be able to do this in the new tank as it has a heat lamp and that would waste a lot of electricity, but i was thinking on putting a rectangle vent 3-5cm under the glass doors to maintain structural integrity with 15-20cm clearance either side maybe a little more clearance on the hot side to maintain ambient temp. And another on the cold side or the lid of the cold side. And is there anyway to securely hide the old vent. I'm thinking a fake rock wall. Anyway enough questions for now lol here are the photos.

One million thank yous

Blake.

 

[Gonemad]

It doesn't look like there is any airflo vents in your new enclosure which is your problem IMO! Air gets hot with no air flo will only increase in temp.

 

[blakewilson]

Yea there is one if you look for my reflection in the glass where my head is there is a vent there.

 

[blakewilson]

Just looking for some opinions i know this vent that was installed by the maker is useless lol. what do you think of my idea on where i would place them, and if you don't like my ideas where would you place them and how big. For optimum ventilation, don't worry i love constructive criticism.

 

[Cypher69]

I agree the back vent does not really create an airflow.

I suggest maybe just drilling some holes on the bottom left side of the enclosure & then a couple on the top right side of the enclosure.

This, in theory, would make air flow in from the left, rise up as hot air due to your heat light & then flow out of the right side instead of just building up trapped inside.

Keep the back vent too, instead of trying to cover it up.

 

[RedFox]

One air vent isn't going to create airflow. When I built mine I put air vents on either side to promote air flow. What I would probably do is pick up the little round vents from bunnings and put a couple of those along the bottom under the glass. Or using the same little round vents do something like in this thread.

http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/diy-zone-5392/building-enclosure-194895/

They cost about $3 I think for a pack of two in Bunnings.

 

[Snowman]

It will create air flow if you have one high and one low. The hot air rising will escape out of the top vent while sucking in fresh air in the low vent.

 

[J-A-X]

Cypher and snowman have it. Drill some holes on the front, top and bottom diagonally opposite each other.
Depending on what you are putting in there, size the holes accordingly.
If your putting a hatchie in there just drill a few 3mm holes in a group. I've just drilled mine, it's housing adult Darwin's so mine are 10mm each. A small group of holes won't affect the structural integrity as much as one large hole you have to plug with a vent. When you've drill make sure you totally seal the raw timber. The slightest bit of moisture will make it swell.
And I wouldn't cover the back one, a bit of cross ventilation is a good thing

 

[blakewilson]

Cypher and snowman have it. Drill some holes on the front, top and bottom diagonally opposite each other.
Depending on what you are putting in there, size the holes accordingly.
If your putting a hatchie in there just drill a few 3mm holes in a group. I've just drilled mine, it's housing adult Darwin's so mine are 10mm each. A small group of holes won't affect the structural integrity as much as one large hole you have to plug with a vent. When you've drill make sure you totally seal the raw timber. The slightest bit of moisture will make it swell.
And I wouldn't cover the back one, a bit of cross ventilation is a good thing

Thanks for the response on the other topic

I organised to borrow my dads cordless drill tomorrow. and was thinking on going with the 1" grommet style vents, and using 2 on the bottom of the hot side and 2 on the top of the cold side what do you think of that?

 

[Serpent_Gazeux]

From my understanding one option I have been told is low at the cold end and top at the hot end.

 

[J-A-X]

The positioning is right, I'd suggest some small screws to hold the vents in. Don't rely just on glue, it weakens over time. And snakes have a habit up push on anything that flexes when they push on it. And don't forget to seal the hole edge

 

[J-A-X]

From my understanding it should be low at the cold end and top at the hot end.

Ah the great debate it's all personal choice, I prefer low at heated end high at the cold then the occupant should always have a warm corner. In the end it's what ever works for your occupant

 

[blakewilson]

Whats the best sealer? and how long should i let the enclosure sit for until i get my snake in there?

 

[J-A-X]

Use whatever you have handy, a smear of silicon, varnish , several coats of paint at a push

 

[blakewilson]

Ah the great debate it's all personal choice, I prefer low at heated end high at the cold then the occupant should always have a warm corner. In the end it's what ever works for your occupant

I might try both ill just get some blank grommet screws and use the little plastic plugs to screw into so ill never have to worry about stripping the wood out. Then i have all the available options and never have to be annoyed because my tank cant face a certain way. Kills two birds with one stone XD

 

[J-A-X]

See - problem solved

 

[blakewilson]

Ok put the vents in today it looks real nice, put three down the bottom of the hot side. And three on the top of the cold side. Really happy with the temp readings I've collected today it only varies by .3*c 'sorry there was no degrees button on my iPhone' XD

31.1 starts heating
31.4 dims and cycles down

 

[J-A-X]

did you remember to seal inside the holes ? dont think for a minute that there wont be fluid getting though those small holes LOL.
It looks like you've done a good job, looks neat and professional. well done.

 

[Bluetongue1]

This might help explain... The role of convection currents in ventilating enclosures is important. So what is a convection current? Put simply, air over a hot surface gets hot. Hot air rises. Air pressure moves unheated air in to take its place. This air then gets heated and rises. This moving and rising current of air is known as a convection current.

For any given enclosure, the degree and effectiveness of ventilation can be controlled by the size and placement of vents in relation to the placement and nature of heating elements.


Blue

 

[nintendont]

quick question, if the holes were in melamine what would you seal with and how long before its safe to put the snake back in the enclosure and a proper seal job is done...also I have some little holes in the enclosure roof from the old light cage...are these at risk of water damage?