Humidity Hide Box - Few Questions...

[idomskt]

Ok, so yesterday I started a new thread regarding misting systems and you told me to tweak my setup a bit so I wont need to mist more than once a day.

Well, Iv'e decided to switch from the CHE to RHP so my cage won't dry that much so fast.

BUT, till I'll get the RHP I made a humidity hide box for Larry (My BP) cause he is going through shed right now.

Here is what I did, please tell me if it's good/bad/ways to improve.

1. I took a food container and created a hole.
2. I taped the edges with ductape so Larry won't get cut.
3. I placed the Hygrometer inside to measure the humidity level.
4. I put a paper towel inside and closed the lid.
5. Then, I sprayed the box through the hole. Now the paper towel is medium wet and the humidity is at 80.
6. I placed the box in the center of the cage, between the hot side to the cool side, and put some substrate on the top.

Then, I took Larry, and showed him the box I made him, he got in it and stay there for about 3 minutes. After that, he went back to the hot side hide.

I checked the temp of the humidity box with a heat gun and it's on 78.

Any comments? Why did Larry left the humidity box?

Thank you





free image hosting gallery

[JodanOrNoDan]

Loose the tape immediately. Bad things happen when you put snakes and tape together. Sand the edges.

[idomskt]

Ok thank you,
Done.

[Oxylepy]

Alright so ball pythons aren't the most social animals. He probably hid inside of the hide just to escape, then when he felt the coast was clear, he ran to somewhere he likes better.

If he spends most of his time on the hot side, move the humid hide closer to the hot side.

Part of why you're losing humidity is probably those vents on the side. Restrict them from the outside so that only a little air is passing through. This will bump your humidity provided that's the main air supply.

[idomskt]

Thanks bro,

And BTW, do you think RHP is better than CHE for keeping the humidity high?

Thank you

[Oxylepy]

I still think my initial suggestion of a second UTH at a lower temperature than the hot side would work best. But I am fairly certain the RHP will keep your humidity higher than a CHE. With CHEs they focus the heat toward a spot, and that decreases the humidity there, which gradually expands to around that area.

Now RHP will do the same thing, but to a lesser extent, heating up the air, then heating up the substrate, then reducing humidity. A similar effect can be managed with a CHE by focusing it on one of the walls of the enclosure, from a distance, instead of on a spot on the substrate. This will heat the wall, which in turn will radiate heat the the enclosure (and depending on your wattage potentially do all kinds of nasty things, which can be avoided with distance and regular temperature checks on the wall, until you know how it increases in the long run).

Now with an UTH it would heat the more moist substrate on the bottom, which should get the humidity trapped somewhat within the substrate above.

Honestly, if the roof of your enclosure is solid, I wouldn't even suggest changing the heating anymore with that design. Reduce airflow and swap to a better substrate (aspen is a humidity nightmare, which is why I use it in my tubs, I don't need the humidity to increase beyond what newspaper or aspen will do for me).

So, cancel the order, restrict your airflow, and get something like reptichip. Your humidity should increase heavily