Okay. I need some help. So I got my ball python a few weeks ago and did a lot of research on their needs and what to put in their tanks. I have a 20 long glass terrarium with a sliding screen top. Inside I have a large water bowl, a small branch, a half log hide on the warm side and a little cave hide on the cool side. I also have two fake plants and a backdrop to make him feel safe and at home. I'm using coconut fiber dirt as substrate and just yesterday bought sphagnum moss and have it in the tank as well. On the exterior of the tank I have a 75 watt infrared bulb (on the side not with the water bowl) and on the same side I have a small heating pad on the underside of the tank. The overall temp of the tank varies between 80 and 85 F.
My issue is humidity. I'm gonna take you through my experience so far.
I was misting the tank until it got between 50 and 60 on the humidity gauge in the morning and leaving for the day, for work or other things. When I would come back the humidity would be down to thirty. So I would spray again. It always went down to thirty. Eventually I watched it and tested, and within about an hour it goes down to 30! That means my poor baby barely ever has the proper humidity!
So I looked up ways to increase humidity, I have the right kind of substrate for it, good. The screen top was brought to my attention. I tried using a damp towel, I have tried plexiglas, it makes no difference. I am now going to try foil cause it may cover more and get a better seal.
Still having no luck with humidity I went to the reptile store near me (LLLReptiles) and asked about a timed automatic mister. I was told this was not good for snakes.
My last resort, yesterday I went and picked up the sphagnum moss. As the instructions said I soaked it in water for a while, squeezed out the excess, the decorated various parts of the tank with it. Then I sprayed the tank and the humidity went up to 70. I had hope! But I woke up this morning and the humidity is down to 30 again! I touched the moss and it COMPLETELY dried out overnight! I'm very upset about that.
Now, getting to what I think the problem is.
I've noticed something. So my infrared heat lamp sits on the screen, the screen slides off, so when I want to take Charlie (my ball python) out I have to turn the lamp off and set it on an oven mitt thing. I leave the screen off while I have him out and therefore leave the lamp off.
When I go to put him back the humidity is always up to 50.
So my infra red heat lamp is the issue (I think). It's completely drying up everything in the tank, sucking the moisture and humidity out. It's also drying out the moss.
SO my problem is I have no clue what to do.
I can't not have a heat lamp. I tried only using a heating pad and it didn't heat up the cage AT ALL. So I need a heat lamp to keep the cage warm. I'm using a 75 watt and the cage barely stays between 80 and 85, so I can't get a bulb with smaller wattage (I don't think).
Also, I can't have a heat lamp that emits normal light as the terrarium is on my dresser and I wouldn't be able to sleep with a normal light on.
So what are my options then? Is there any other kind of lamp I can use that doesn't create a lot of light? (Assuming my lamp is sucking out moisture because its infrared, let me know if that's not the issue).
Or are there any other special tricks to making a tank more humid?
Sorry for such a long post but i'm super stressed out about the humidity and i'm worried about Charlie being happy and healthy. I've never had a reptile before so i'm completely new to all of these issues.
Thank you so much if you have any advice! I'm open to ANY and ALL options.
-Connor