Any help welcome

[Rick McDowell]

Hi was wondering if anyone could help me regulate the humidity in my vivarium? ive done alot of research before aquiring my bp -HER NAME IS PETRA, but research can only do so much. Currently im using room temperature water and a newly purchased spray bottle to mist the tank, only thing is it will only keep it between 50 and 60 on the hygrometer for so long.....before i have to spray again and i dont want to upset her by spraying all the time.

Can anyone recommend anything/something i am doing wrong or my setup is missing something.
i have a wooden viv with climbing spot, half hot half cold, heat mat under one side with hide and heat lamp ( i alternate using the heat lamp during the day and the heat mat during the night).
Many Thanks

[thewesterngate]

What kind of substrate are you using? The heat will definitely dry it out quickly. I tried vivariums with my balls and in the end I decided that tubs are much more convenient. Good luck!

[Haldthin]

Well, you don't really need the heat lamp as long as you have a thermostat or rheostat for the heat pad.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Heat pad (flex-watt), and proper substrate will make an enclosure work.
Everyone says you have to use tubs BUT you dont if you know how to maintain the enclosure.
I have some in tubs and some in tanks or enclosures. Space makes tubs easier.
You can use eco-earth to really up your humidity, but a water bowl over the heat mat will also work.
Post some pics of your setup and we can help a little more.

[wolfy-hound]

You could post pics to make it easier, but from your descripion...

Lose the lamp and just use the heat mat. Close off the top of the tank with foil/tape on top of the screen. You said it's a wood viv, but also said tank, so I'm a bit confused. Also, what sort of hydrometer are you using to measure the humidity? If it's a dial, it's probably giving false readings and your humidity could be high or low, no matter what it says. If it's a digital, then you're probably getting decent readings.

The lamps are probably the worst heat source for high humidity enclosures, they simply suck the moisture out. It's good to see you did a bunch of research before getting your bp, and I'm sure with a little tweaking, you'll have everything spot-on in no time at all.

Congrats on your bp!

[Rick McDowell]

here is a photo of my viv the only difference is i have a exo-terra plastic plant in the left hand corner, and yes the hygrometer is a dial. i dont get paid till next week so i will definatly look into getting a digital one, the first thermostat i bought for my heat mat got dropped and broke (not me the mrs) lol i only found this out by probing the hide with my thermometer to find it was 41 degrees celcius so luckily petra was on the cool side. so im just waiting for my replacement thermostat which comes monday, until then im just alternating between the heat lamp and the mat (is this ok). Plus i have just purchased some moss off amazon to put in and around the hide.

Thanks so much for your comments guys as research can only go so far lol http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikster85/http://

[wolfy-hound]

The hygrometer I use is one from Walmart. It's in the Indoor/Outdoor thermometer section, and it's a little grey square digital one, and it'll measure the temps(at the unit and also at the end of a lone probe wire you can put on the other end of the tank) and also the humidity. The cost is around $14 I think, so it's pretty cheap. I've got a dozen around here for various bins and enclosures. Once in a while you get a bum one and have to go exchange it.

The pic isn't showing up for me. You're right in the research. Sometimes the inormation you get can contradict what you found elsewhere, so asking a ton of folks who all keep the species you have is ideal, which is why I love this site.

Using a heat mat without a thermostat can be risky. I don't know what your ambiant temps are, but you might wait until monday to get the new thermostat to use the heat mat. Some of them can shoot temps up to 120F without regulation from a thermostat.
Good luck!

Hah! You edited when I posted! This is the link I got to your pic I think... http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikster...in/photostream

You want to watch the exposed bulb so she doesn't get onto it. It LOOKS high enough that she won't be able to reach, but it's hard to tell. She needs hides that are a bit more secure, instead of the half log(unless you stuff the end with the moss which will "close" one end. One hide on cool end, one on hot end usually works well so the snake can choose to hide on either side. It's a very pretty cage.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Hope this brings up the photo.
I wouldnt run the mat without a t-stat, it can get really hot real quick.
Also as mentioned I dont like the exposed light, that is also another burn waiting to happen

[PitOnTheProwl]

Thats odd, I cannot get the pic to post

[Rick McDowell]

ooo thats what i wanted to ask lol, im giving her first feed this sunday, Im feeding her in a tub which i got pretty cheap from a craft shop (its been cleaned and steralised). how do i get her from the feeding tub back into the viv as i read i cant handel her after a feed?

Many Thanks

sorry the bulb is now covered, got a cover for it today after seeing a snake burn on the internet, forgot to mention in previous post (I FEEL LIKE SUCH A NOOB) lol :/