I want to stop using my heat lamp but...

[Brstin2flames]

Currently I have a 30 gallon tank with a uth under one side for the hot side, but the cool side gets too cool if I dont have my red heat lamp on it. I have the lamp dimmed, but even so it still keeps the cool side temps a nice 80*. The problem is that I am having a heck of a time keeping my humidity where it needs to be, it usually drops to about 35% while I'm at work which is not good.

I'd like to get rid of the lamp because I've heard it doesnt help with the humidity one bit. Does anyone have suggestions for how to keep my cool side at the right temp? Could I get a small uth for under the cool side? I worry that if I do this the ambient temp might not stay around 80 because we keep our house pretty cool (around 70* in summer and even down to 65* sometimes in the winter). Could I just offer a humid hide instead of taking away the heat lamp?

Thanks!

[jfreels]

I put foil over the top of the cage to keep heat and humidity in. I get a pretty consistent 79-80 F on the cool side with 60% humidity in my boas 40 G.

I use three layers of foil and secure it with foil tape leaving about a half inch gap on back for ventilation. I do the same thing with the 10 G I keep my ball in but the gap is on both sides.

[Brstin2flames]

I put foil over the top of the cage to keep heat and humidity in. I get a pretty consistent 79-80 F on the cool side with 60% humidity in my boas 40 G.

I use three layers of foil and secure it with foil tape leaving about a half inch gap on back for ventilation. I do the same thing with the 10 G I keep my ball in but the gap is on both sides.

Do you just use 1 uth for your hot side and the foil keeps the heat in?

Thanks for the suggestion!

[jfreels]

I left out a big piece of information, I am very sorry.

I keep my reptile room heated to upper 70's. I'm guessing your results will very. I remembered when you asked about a second UTH. Yes, that tank has a second UTH, but I have not had to use it since I started keeping the room heated....guess it's been long enough that I forgot

[Brstin2flames]

Ah I see, Thanks for the info!

Yea, I'm thinking I will need to purchase another uth and thermostat for the cool side then, because especially in the winter it gets quite cold in our house (saves money on heating costs )

I will start out doing the foil over the top as suggested and see if it holds the heat, if not then I'll get the second uth with a thermostat. The light really is a pain anyways.

[AkHerps]

I believe ceramic heat emitting bulbs don't dry out the air as much.

[dc4teg]

buy a second uth and a dimmer (save on expense) but you will want to keep the dimmer at the lowest possible setting to keep cold side temps steady. But to be honest, I think you could keep your cool side temps up if you put some foil on the lid (leave space for ventilation though).... I did it and bumped up my temps just where I needed them.

[Brstin2flames]

Ok, so I tried putting the foil over the lid leaving a space for ventilation and I shut off my lamp, and sprayed the enclosure a little to get humidity up...I left it alone for about two hours and the humidity dropped from 55% to 33% and the cool side dropped from 80* to 76* and still dropping. So it seems the foil is not working to well for me.

I did a search in the forum on adding moss to the substrate and I saw a few people who say it worked really well. I was thinking of trying to mix some sphagnum moss with the reptibark that I use and hopefully that will help

[hunter94]

I put a really wet paper towel over the uncovered screen area and it keeps the humidity perfect I just spray in the enclosure and the paper towel every time it gets dry. And it stays good over night.

[Brstin2flames]

I put a really wet paper towel over the uncovered screen area and it keeps the humidity perfect I just spray in the enclosure and the paper towel every time it gets dry. And it stays good over night.

I have been putting damp towels over the screen but its just a real pain to have to do that several times a day, plus no one is home during work hours to check it. My BP shed a few days ago and it wasnt in one piece (about 3 large pieces and a few small) even though I tried my hardest to keep the humidity up during his shed. So now I'm looking for a better alternative/more permanent alternative.