Temp and Humidity help

[N1GHTRA1N]

Hey guys I setup my Terrarium a couple weeks ago and I just got a new Zilla Hygrometer/Thermometer and I want to make sure I have the probe placement correct.

I installed the temp probe just below the hiding cave on the hot side of the terrarium. I buried it under the surface of the substrate and it reads in the low-mid 90's, typically 92-96. I'm wondering if this temp is too high? On the surface of the substrate just outside the cave on the hot side the temp is 87-92 and directly on the glass under the substrate on the hot site is around 96-101. I'm wondering if these temps seem okay and where the best place to leave the probe for temps is.

I have a stick on LCD thermometer on the cool side which is between 78-83 most of the time.

The Hygrometer reads around 45% most of the time, but I spray a bit of water in the terrarium first thing in the morning, early evening and late at night. The humidity drops to 30% or just below throughout the day and rises to 85-90% or just above after spraying some water inside. Do these number sound correct?

I want to make sure my snake has the best home he can have, I take very good care of him. I change his water 2-3 times a week, I check for waste every day and remove it when found. I have been feeding him every 5 days and he feeds on live mice with no problems. He had a successful shed just last Friday. The clean shed and the good eating leads me to believe he is living well and has adjusted to his environment. However I'm always open to ways of making his home better.

Please offer any advice you can so I know I'm doing things that are best for him.

[mrshawt]

Temps are too high. Since the bp can burrow, you want the highest temp it can possibly touch to be max 94.

And as your humidity is all over the place, I would suggest trying to maintain a normal 50-60% with moss or a room humidifer.

[Spaniard]

You could try using less substrate in the area over the heat mat. This way you don't have to set it so high to get the proper temps at substrate level.

[Shin86]

yup...or put a thin piece of cardboard on top of the heat pad, like the box it came in..

[N1GHTRA1N]

Thanks for the input. I've been trying to find a good priced rheostat or thermostat to lower the temps locally. Any suggestions where I can find one online, keep in mind I'm in Canada and most people charge stupid amounts for shipping.

Also are you saying I should lower the temps to 94 on the glass above the heater, if that is the case what kind of temps should I be looking for on the surface of the substrate above the heater? Right now my substrate is about 1.5" deep.

As for the humidity, what tricks can I use to make it more constant. I have a water bowl, some forest bark (exo-terra) substrate at the rear of the terrirum, some moss next to the water dish and coconut husk based plantation soil (which is suppose to be good for steady humidity levels). It just seems like the tank drys out over a 8-10 hour period. The humidity levels in my room outside the terrarium is about 40%.

BTW thanks for the advice.

[N1GHTRA1N]

yup...or put a thin piece of cardboard on top of the heat pad, like the box it came in..

That is an awesome idea. It should lower the temps a little and keep the snake from getting right next to the glass where he could get burnt. I'll certainly look into doing that, just wish I though of it before.

[Vypyrz]

Is your UTH on a thermostat or Rheostat? If not, then that would be a wise investment. You need to control the heat. What I do to prevent my snakes from getting on the glass in the warm hides is I got some repti-carpet. I cut it into 4 pieces which are just larger than the hides. I put a piece down, put just enough substrate on it to cover it and the temp probe then put the hide on it. Each week when I clean the tank I change repticarpet. I clean then dirty one in Chlorhexidine and water, and when it dries, I put it in line for future use. That's just me and it works for me...



Rob

[Vypyrz]

that cardboard suggestion will also work. Also when you do that try only using maybe a 1/2 inch or so of substrate...

[TheNunciate]

The cypress moss is a great idea. I had the same problem with mine, the humidity fluctuated wildly throughout the day. Heat lamp, cold house.....

Anyway, the cypress moss works great and once it starts to dry out, I just spray it in the morning (kinda like dew) and it's good all day long. The stuff is mad cheap and lasts forever. You can get it from pet stores-they sell it in bricks or from a nursery.

good luck