[rhacoboy]

In an effort to continue to house my Phants upstairs so I can keep a better eye on them, and so that the temps remain around 75 for breeding, I am looking for a way to cool them. I've got about 3 moths before the temps will reach over 75, but I'd like to prepare for this issue now so I don't have any issues later.

Anybody have any suggestions? The animals are in 18x18x24's per pair.

Thanks,
-Armen

[NigelMoses]

It's very simple. Air Conditioner.

[rhacoboy]

Originally Posted by NigelMoses

It's very simple. Air Conditioner.

Yes but I need something that can specifically work for my room in order to assure that the temperatures are right where I need them to be. The AC isn't usually on all day in my house.
Thanks,
-Armen

[Robin Skrumsager]

I use the same approach as Bruce, an AC that is set to keep the temp. in 2 celcius variation from the desired temp. Works great, I have just, taken it out of the basement, and are ready for when the summer heat will come.

if an small transportable AC isn't an salution then I would use the old trick with place, ice packedges on top of the viv covered in a towl so that there wont drop any water on to the animals. Also cool down the water you are spraying them with af fe degress.

[Calfirecap]

Where I live temps frequently get into the 90s and occasionally 100 and I deal with it in a couple of ways. One I have a cool air humidifier plumbed into may cages which pumps a fog like mist into the cages a few times a day. The other thing I use is a portable swamp cooler. If you have a low humidity problem it helps by adding moisture to the air as opposed to an AC which will remove moisture from the air.

Lawrence

[NigelMoses]

This has been discussed in the past, if you do a search Armen you will find it. I am sorry but the easiest method is an A/C. Swamp Coolers are fine but you have to live in a specific area for them to be effective. If the relative humidity is too high during the summer months it won't work for you. In New York where I live they are not feasible, but an area like New Mexico, Arizona, Drier Parts of California and so on would be perfect for it. If you want to keep phantasticus successfully there is no way around keeping them constantly below 80 degrees, there is no solution that must not be constantly running. I'm sure you don't want to hear it but there is no way around it. Unless you are there 24/7 to constantly monitor the temperatures and add ice packs with fans to your vivariums it isn't possible to keep them constantly cool without an air conditioner or swamp cooler if you live in an area where they could be used.

[NigelMoses]

Or just keep them in the basement and pray that the temperatures do not reach 80 plus. During the summer months my air conditioner is constantly running during the day at a constant 75 degrees. Temperatures in the vivarium hover around 78 to 79 on the high end and 72 to 74 near the substrate. If you want to keep animals as sensitive as phantasticus this is absolutely necessary and if you can't provide this you shouldn't keep them.

[rhacoboy]

Originally Posted by NigelMoses

Or just keep them in the basement and pray that the temperatures do not reach 80 plus. During the summer months my air conditioner is constantly running during the day at a constant 75 degrees. Temperatures in the vivarium hover around 78 to 79 on the high end and 72 to 74 near the substrate. If you want to keep animals as sensitive as phantasticus this is absolutely necessary and if you can't provide this you shouldn't keep them.

My plan is within the next couple of months to continue monitoring temperatures in the basement as well as upstairs. The basement NEVER hits 80. I can't remember what the temps hit last year, and if they do stay around 70-75 the geckos will stay down there. The only issue is I'm not sure if the basement will bring temps up enough to simulate breeding, but I'd rather have them not breeding than them being to stressed from temperatures and end up dying.

Thanks for the replies everyone, and I will take everything here into consideration. Hopefully I will be able to find a way to keep the temps upstairs around 75.

Thanks again,
-Armen

[uroplatus99]

I was going to suggest keeping them in the basement as well. The ease of heating versus cooling makes more since to me. Keep them down there and use a heating methods... I thought of doing this as well in my basement since it never gets above 75 down there.

Few heating elements, thermostat, and your golden.

If you must do the upstairs thing, then there are portable AC units these days for less then 400 bucks good for a single room or up to 800 sq ft.

[Riverside Reptiles]

I agree with what a lot of others said...a small window unit or portable AC. I live in southern VA and it gets very hot and humid here in the summer. A small window unit brand new can be had for under $100. And you can usually find them on craigslist used for very cheap (under $50). Well worth it IMHO.