Found a "new" way to keep humidity.

I was all out of tin foil and kept forgetting to get some to put on the top of the screen so I was just laying a hand towel on it to cover about 60% of the top. I was having to mist 3 times a day to keep the humidity up because its gotten cold here and the air is dry. A random thought came to me and I thought to mist the towel, so I tried it at night. I forgot to check on it in the morning so after work I went and checked on it and it was still at 51% humidity. It normally drops to 43% during the day. Anyone else ever tried this?

I have used that technique before and it worked for me, but I suggest washing or changing the towel out every couple of days so that it doesn't start smelling moldy...

I've never tried it but I've seen putting damp towels on top of screen tops as a suggestion. Good to know it works! :)

Yes, I have several old towels that I will switch out. Its also nice that you don't have to take the lid off and on 3 times a day :D

You can also get some saran (plastic) wrap and tape it to the lid.

I do this with all my snakes when they go into shed, and in dry times (mid summer/winter) when the air in my place is very dry. I also will wet the towel down with I very light dilution of F10 to keep any funk from growing in the towel.

Another fix is to glue (aquarium silicone) a piece of vented lexan or plexi to the screen.

You should never have to mist anything. All you need for proper humidity is a proper setup.

1.) Use an under tank heater, not a light or ceramic heater.
2.) Cover most of the tank with foil, plexiglass, whatever.
3.) use a big enough water bowl.
4.) that is it.

Under tank heaters don't warm up the ambient temps though. If I didnt keep a CHE on my tank, it would drop to 68-70 degrees.

I use towels as well since there is so little humidity in Denver. It works well :) never had a shedding problem since using them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

You should never have to mist anything. All you need for proper humidity is a proper setup.

1.) Use an under tank heater, not a light or ceramic heater.
2.) Cover most of the tank with foil, plexiglass, whatever.
3.) use a big enough water bowl.
4.) that is it.

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I agree to a point you ideally should not have to mist every day. The balance is tricky but the problem I have with Mike's comment is the reduced air flow. Tanks do not vent well straight from the beginning. There will be two large dead air spots in a typical tank both corners have little air flow. Constricting this down can generate all kinds of other issues. This also should not be needed, using the snakes exhaled breath to increase humidity is asking for trouble.

I still use a screen top tank and water bowl, the placement of the bowl and careful substrate choice and depth and position is all I need no top mod is needed. My tank holds 60% for 6-10 days with no problems in a room that is around the 30% mark. Balance.