Help with temp and humidity

[Taytayholl]

I just got my new baby ball python. Got her set up in a 16qt tub with hide water bowl. Ambient temperature is at 68 degrees and I don't know how to bring it up. Also I have paper towel substrate with a probe temp gauge running to the bottom of the tub under the paper towels to measure basking temp and it's in the right zone at 93 degrees but on top of the paper towels it's only 81 degrees and the humidity is 83 percent. I figure for the humidity just put more holes in correct? But the other two I'm lost on what to do. I'm afraid to can up the thermostat and let the uth get hotter because I don't want her to berry under the paper towels and get burned

[Coluber42]

Yes, put more holes for less humidity.

For the basking spot temperature, how many layers of paper towels are you using? In any case, I suspect the temp on top of the paper towels is just fine if it's 93 underneath; once the snake sits on it and compresses the paper towels against the floor, it will get plenty of heat. To get a better idea of what the de facto temperature on top of the hot spot really is, put the probe on top of the paper towels with a rock or something to weight it down so it's really in contact with the floor. But anyway, unless you have like half an inch of paper towels down, plenty of heat will get through.
If you put a hide over the hot spot, that will help to trap heat, too.

For the temperature in the rest of the tub, the first thing to do is insulate as best you can. Wrap the tub in blankets, or put it in a carboard box and the fill in the gaps with packing peanuts or some other insulating material to make the most of the heat you have. If that's not enough, you might need an additional heat source. It just depends on the temperature of your room.

[Taytayholl]

Just one layer of paper towels. And I doubled the amount f holes in the tub. For the temp of my room. I don't feel that it's any hotter or colder than any standard bedroom
I live in the southeast if that's any help. And could it be I'm not being patient enough. Like if I give the enclosure proper time the Temps will even out more. I know they won't do it themselves but with such a small enclosure you would think if the basking spot and humidity are correct that the ambient would be too

[Coluber42]

Just one layer of paper towels. And I doubled the amount f holes in the tub. For the temp of my room. I don't feel that it's any hotter or colder than any standard bedroom
I live in the southeast if that's any help. And could it be I'm not being patient enough. Like if I give the enclosure proper time the Temps will even out more. I know they won't do it themselves but with such a small enclosure you would think if the basking spot and humidity are correct that the ambient would be too

I have no idea what a standard bedroom temperature in the southeast is! I live in the northeast, and my bedroom can be 55 in the winter or 90+ in the summer depending on the weather and the time of day. If your bedroom is 60 degrees, you need more wattage in heat sources to get the temp up to 80 than if your bedroom is 75.

Yes, it will take a little while for the temperature to equalize. But if it doesn't get to where you need it and insulating it doesn't either, you'll have to add an additional heat source.

[Taytayholl]

My room stays a constant 72-74 degrees. On the plus side humidity is going down and ambient temp has gone up 2 degrees

[Coluber42]

Be patient. Your tub can't possibly stay colder than your room temp. One more thought is, if the tub is on the floor, put it up on a dresser or something, and put a towel or something under it to help insulate the bottom. The floor could actually be cooler than the air higher up in the middle of the room.

[Taytayholl]

I didn't think about putting something under it. I just used my laser temp gun and the floor is a ew degrees colder than the rest of the room. Folded up a thermal hunting shirt and lid it under it. Should be a good insulator I hope. Will keep updated and would really appreciate any more things to try. I took some foil tape and lined the inside of the lid hoping it would help insulate and radiate the heat. Considered in the morning if the ambient isn't where I want it wrapping the outside of the tub in it as well. Leaving spaces where the vent holes are of course. Does anyone think that would help?