Humidity Issues

So Buster just went through his first shed (well pretty much, still has a bit on the end of his tail) but I'm having an extremely tough time keeping the humidity up. I have a large water bowl and am using aspen for substrate. Below are some pictures of my set up with explanations.

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMAG0548.jpg
I have a heat lamp on my cool side (it's set at 82 degrees) My warm end has a UTH and is about 94 degrees. I have a piece of cardboard with foil around it and I usually keep a damp washcloth on top (under the foil board). My humidity is only at like 45%.

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMAG0550.jpg
Overall view of the inside, hide on each end. Lots of vines to keep him more comfortable since he is still a baby (I'm guessing about 4 months old).

So I think he had such a hard time shedding because of the humidity (I've been soaking him to help get rid of old shed). Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to bring them up? Before I started using the heat lamp I had no problem with the level and I know it can be done since there are tons of people out there that use heat lamps. I'm thinking that my next step may be switching the substrate to coconut fiber. Any thoughts?

Also, he's been hanging out in his cool side since he went into shed, is this normal?

You might try cypress for bedding and a humid hide in the middle.

Nice looking tank :)

Thanks! I'm sure I overpaid for most of my setup but hey, it's worth it ;) I'll try some cypress, I'm due for a tank cleaning soon so I'll shoot for that. I took a larger damp towel and put it on top, I'm gonna see if that raises my humidity any too.

Humid hide...Humid hide. :)

Humid hides are a great addition to any reptile cage. They give the reptile options. Instead of having one cage at a set humidity....a humid hide will give the snake an option of lower humidity outside the hide and higher humity inside the hide. The snake can then adjust the moisture around it by itself...no worries for you :)

Coconut husk works great too. Every now and again you can take a spray bottle, and just give your tank a little spray every now and again. Make sure you gauge your humidity and you should be able to hit it dead on.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Humid hide...Humid hide. :)

Humid hides are a great addition to any reptile cage. They give the reptile options.

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Completely Agree, I'd much rather see a humid hide than spraying a tank down.

I dont know if this is what you consider a humid hide (im still new to bp's lol) but hes been hanging out in his hide on the cool side so ive been putting a damp paper towel in it to help with his shed. Is that right?

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Originally Posted by nicolehh11

I dont know if this is what you consider a humid hide (im still new to bp's lol) but hes been hanging out in his hide on the cool side so ive been putting a damp paper towel in it to help with his shed. Is that right?

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A Humid Hide Is A TupperWare With Moist Paper Towel Or Sphagnum Moss I Currently Use New Zeland Moss That I Spray Once Or Twice A Day I Change The Moss Every 2-3 Days. :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nicolehh11

I dont know if this is what you consider a humid hide (im still new to bp's lol) but hes been hanging out in his hide on the cool side so ive been putting a damp paper towel in it to help with his shed. Is that right?

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That is somewhat along the lines of a typical humid hide. I am sure you have keep re-wetting the paper towel though? Typically, you want to use a container with a hole cut in it. The limited exposure to air keeps the damp material inside from drying out too quick. I use either moss or soil in my humid hides. They are mostly Rubbermaid food containers with a hole cut in the top. Do a search on the site there are lots of threads about humid hides ;)

Humid hide works great if they use it.
I use a united plastics tub that has a hinged lid and used my hot knife to cut an opening in it.

Try mixing you aspen with eco-earth, that will get your humidity up and you wont have to mist as often.