Help with humidity

[xchellemariex]

Hello. I am just looking for some advice on whether or not I should get a plastic cage. I have a glass tank right now for my ball python and the humidity does not seem to hold much over 50%. Im using aspen and was wondering if the plastic would work better and where I could go to find a good one. Also was wondering if under tank heater is good to use, which is what I've been using cause if i have a light on over the tank the air dries up. The last couple sheds have been bad so I am trying to correct this so my snake can be more comfortable. Thanks! This is the first snake I have ever owned, everything I have done has been from research but all the suggestions i have find about humidity don't seem to work or Im doing something wrong.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I love my plastic cages. I buy them from Animal Plastics. You can get flexwatt with any of their cages and it really works great. Both temperatures and humidity is much easier to regulate vs in a glass tank.

Under tank heaters are great just make sure it is being regulated by a thermostat.

[RichL]

Did you try covering 90% of your 'assumed' screen top with tin foil or plastic wrap? You could also put a warm damp towel covering a good bit of the top.

I always used cypress in my glass tanks, it tends to hold the humidity a bit better. The one tank I have now I have covered with plastic wrap on a lot of the top with cypress bedding and the humidity stays around 60% with misting about every other day. It's a 20g Long.

Bigger water bowl could help as well.. If you do have a light, put the water bowl under the light, it will help out a bit.

As far UTH's go, they are great as long as you regulate them. They can get a bit too hot just running them on 'full' power without a thermostat or rheostat. If you haven't looked at the Caresheet you should find more information there if you are unsure.

Good luck and Welcome to BP.net !

[jackiechan]

I have a glass tank. 30x12x12. I use apsen substrate and have a foil wrapped lid top. I have 3 sides insulated with foil tape + styrofoam, and a CHE.

My bp just finished his second shed today and it was all in full pieces. I just spray hot water when i see signs that he is about to shed.

There are different techniques to keep humidity up, but this is what's working for me.

As for plastic containers go, i would imagine it would hold humidity better because its plastic vs glass.

[xchellemariex]

yes i have a screen top sorry. i have been soaking her when she looks about to shed and have tried the foil on the lid. i do what i can to keep it above 50 but it seems like such a pain with a glass tank, maybe i will get plastic. thanks

[kitedemon]

I love my custom enclosures I don't think they can be beat. Really the best of all possible options. There are options however this is one I have come up with it might pose an option for you. Something to think on any way. However all that aside 50% isn't generally a problem until a shed and then a humid hide will solve that issue too.


http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

[RichL]

soaking her could actually do more harm than good. When you soak them as they are in 'blue' it can remove the oils between the two skins and make it come off in pieces rather than in one large piece.

Glass tanks are harder to keep the humidity in, but it is possible. Just gotta try a couple different things. If you have the money for a 'reptile specific' enclosure, then by all means they seem to be worth the money.

[The Serpent Merchant]

They really are. I went from misting constantly to nearly not at all.

[Matthew Malone]

I have a glass tank and i stay around 70%... i cover most of the lid, mist once a day and use a UTH.

[xchellemariex]

I love my custom enclosures I don't think they can be beat. Really the best of all possible options. There are options however this is one I have come up with it might pose an option for you. Something to think on any way. However all that aside 50% isn't generally a problem until a shed and then a humid hide will solve that issue too.


http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

that tank is awesome. i will see if my husband can accomplish that! lol i have been looking for something along those lines that looks good and keeps the snake comfy as well. i have only soaked when she is in bad shed, its happened twice and i want to avoid that happening again! i gotta get a thermostat, i have a 20g tank, how big of a uth should i use? i only have a small one right now thats covers one side which is where she spends a lot of her time. she does come out and explore the cage often so i am confident that she is doing ok besides the shedding problems. thanks