Tips for increasing terrarium humidity

[jplehmann]

I got my tank setup about a month ago, and I've been struggling to get humidity higher than 55. As a result in her first shed since I've had her (3 months old), it came off in pieces (partly with my help) and a week later there's still a piece around her head/neck that is stuck (though her eyes shed). I don't think this is bad for her so worst case it doesn't look good until next shed.

As you can see in the pic, it's a 20gal with a wire mesh top that I have put cardboard mostly over (was about 3/4 before this morning, now I just have the hole cut). I have a UTH on the left side with thermo and a 50 watt night light on top that runs 24-7.

I recently did 2 things to increase humidity. I moved the water bowl (which I know could be larger) underneath the light. Also on the right side I put a wet towel. This combo gets humidity up to 65-70 which is awesome. I'm not sure yet how much was due to each of those changes. But I'm worried about creating mold on the towel. Is that a concern? I thought maybe something like another bowl with perlite might be better, like what you do with eggs to make it really humid. Is this a good idea?

Also, after reading about humidity retreat boxes/hides, I thought maybe inside the flowerpot hide I could build into the top of it a spot to put a wet rag or perlite or something that will turn that sauna into a steam room. Tips there?

Oh and I've tried misting 1-2/daily but this seems to have a very temporary effect and I'd rather have something more self sustaining.

thanks!

[thejennabird]

A couple of things:
1) I've heard that covering the screen lid with tinfoil instead of cardboard/towels will help. Just check out the "How to Set Up a Glass Tank" thread. (In theory cardboard is somewhat absorbent to moisture, while tinfoil is not)
2) Instead of a moist towel, try wetting some sphagnum moss and spreading it around the tank. Keep the sphagnum moss moist with spraying or occasional washing.
3) Are you opposed to changing the substrate to something like Eco-earth or Cypress? I know paper towels are convenient, but changing to something else might be worth considering.
4) Does the night-light contribute much heat? I can see how humidity would still escape through that hole in the middle of the cardboard.
5) It's normally recommended to have two hides in the enclosure, one on the hot side and one on the cool.

[Jessimica]

Hey there,

I've had the same problem as you and just recently solved it.

I switched from repti-bark substrate to coconut fiber (it's basically soil). I also put plastic wrap over the wire mesh. It helps a lot. I also got a repti fogger and put it on a timer so that it turns on for 15 minutes every 2 hours. My humidity usually peaks at 80 (right after the fogger turns off) and then floats down to about 50. Then the fogger turns on again within 30 minutes or so.

It is not a steady balance but coming from a place that's so dry that even people get frequent nosebleeds and eczema, I think I am doing pretty well, lol.

PS - inb4 someone comes in here and demands that you switch to a tub

[Shamri]

I am using a Tropic Aire Humidifier and Air Exchanger

http://www.reptiledirect.com/tropica...gernopump.aspx

I cover the left and right thirds of the lid with tinfoil, and I can fold the tinfoil back if I need to decrease humidity. I'm new to this product, so I can't speak to its long term effectiveness. Also, it doesn't come with an air pump, so that has to be purchased separately. So far I love it. No more misting. No more wet towels. And increasing humidity is as simple as covering more of the top. Because it is an air exchanger, in theory you shouldn't have to worry about cutting off the tank's ventilation. It doesn't create a fog or mist, but I do worry that it might contribute to mold/substrate issues at some point. Fingers crossed.

P.S. I can't wait until Atticus outgrows his tank so I can get him a PVC enclosure!

[George1994]

As the rest have said, changing substrate to something that will hold humidity will help, so will adding moss if it comes down to it. Also bin the analogue temp and humidity readers, if what is what you are using to read your parameters then you will be off. Go digital, they are much more accurate. Add another hide in there on the cold and make sure that they aren't too big, they like to be squeezed in there Hope it helps!

-- EDIT --

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-With-Pictures!


Follow this sticky and your humidity should be fine