Cant seem to get the right Humidity(I have tried most conventional means)

Hello, This is my first topic on this board, so please forgive me if this is in the wrong part of the forum.

My Fiance and I are planning on getting a Ball Python in Early February, So for the last week or so we've been getting his tank set up. My Fiance has had Ball pythons before, when he was younger, but he didnt really know how to take care of them properly and they passed away. Given his record, I decided to do some research and ensure that the snake was getting everything he really needs. If you all could tell me if theres anything i'm missing or have done wrong that would be lovely. But at this point humidity is my main concern.

-25 gallon glass aquarium with a screen top.

-1 100 watt infrared heat lamp, positioned well above the tank(can be adjusted as needed) to provide the appropriate amount of heat,

-1 75 watt UV A+B light set on a timer allowing the snake 13 hours of light.

-1 Triangular water dish 2 1/2-3inches deep, and large enough to soak himself in. The dish has a small aquarium bubbler that keeps the water moving(so it doesn't get stagnant, and I heard it would also help with humidity.)

-I have a Heat gun I got from home depot to measure the temperature of the things he climbs on, as well as an acurite hygro-thermometer with the probe on the cool end of the tank.

-1 hide with only one entry/exit point large enough for him to grow into a little, but cozy enough for him to feel safe, and a smaller more open hide in the hot end.

-The screen directly overtop of the waterbowl is covered with ceran wrap to trap humidity, and there is a soaked sponge on the hot end of the tank to promote humdity as well.


The ceran wrap, bubbler, and sponge have only brought the humidity up to 25% in the last 2 hours. Which is 5% higher than it was right off thee bat, but I was told my humidity should be between 50-70% for the ball python to shed well.

I will be using aspen bedding but have not put it into the tank yet. Will introducing the substrate effect the humidity level?

Yes the substrate will effect humidty.

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Originally Posted by Herp4life11

Yes the substrate will effect humidty.

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But will the substrate alone be enough to bring it up to the required percentage? Or should I be looking for more or better methods of keeping it humid?

if you are having issues with humidity I suggest something other than aspen, it tends to lower my humidity not raise it. I have cyprus mulch in my tank ( most of mine are in tubs) and it holds humidity very very well.

the other things you can try are a plexi glass piece to cover the 2/3 of the tank top not used by the lamp.

you can position the water bowl on the hot side or under the lamp and also put sphagnum moss in if you still have humidity issues.

you are going to have to fight with the humidity as long as you use a light/heat lamp they suck the moisture out of everything. I would recommend ditching them for ambient light and a UTH.

hope this helps a little ask away if you have more questions :)

BP does not need UVB lighs or any lights. If you want lights you can us some Led lights.

I have a set up that sounds similar to yours. I use Aspen and was having issues. Keeping humidity up. I started putting a warm damp towel over 2/3 of the tank and wetting/reaching it daily. Bit that shot the humidity from 30% to about 55-60%

Thanks for the help!

You might be right about the substrate. And Ill be sure to mist the tank twice a day until humidity rises. Ive been looking around online and I think a waterfall might bee a good way to help the humidity rise as well. They ddont looktoo hard to build. All I'll really need is a micro water pump and I should be able to make one. Does anyone know of any specifics brands I should look for?

ditch the aspen for a different substrate (i use the zilla reptile carpet. i have two in case one gets soiled) and the heat lamp. instead get a heating pad that goes under the tank. for my humidity, i use a metal dog food bowl from the pet store and put wet sphagnum moss on the warm side, ideally over part of the UTH (heating pad). as long as you have a hide on the warm side, a hide on the cool side and a water bowl somewhere, everything else should be fine. if you want light so you can see your baby, get a lamp to put next to the tank. the heat lamp will only dry the tank out.

Humidity in a glass enclosure with a screen top can be a little challenging but there are some tricks to getting it just right. My little trick is to take a towel and get it damp and fold it over along the top of the screen. The towel should obviously be positioned to leave a gap between it and the heat lamp. This should hold the humidity steady and if it drops for whatever reason just put more water on the towel or mist the enclosure. Also if you can try to put the water bowl under the heat lamp that will help the humidity too.

Good luck ;)

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Originally Posted by HerpIsAhobby

Humidity in a glass enclosure with a screen top can be a little challenging but there are some tricks to getting it just right. My little trick is to take a towel and get it damp and fold it over along the top of the screen. The towel should obviously be positioned to leave a gap between it and the heat lamp. This should hold the humidity steady and if it drops for whatever reason just put more water on the towel or mist the enclosure. Also if you can try to put the water bowl under the heat lamp that will help the humidity too.

Good luck ;)

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if you ditched the lamp and went to UTH for heat it would make a big difference. i get 40% easily with only the sphagnum moss in a bowl, not even spraying.