Another Tank Top question

Sorry for the second question. I'm having a hard time keeping up humidity in my 20 gallon tank. I'm having to wet towels twice a day because my house is getting so cold and I'm having to use heat lamps on BOTH ends to keep ambients on hot and cold side up to par. If I put a piece of plexiglass on top and drilled holes, would it be be enough ventiliation or would I need to leave gaps at both end of the tank?

A lot of people cover their screen tops with Plexiglass. Just make as many holes as you need to get the desired humidity. Start with fewer holes and if the humidity is too high then make more holes.

Your heat lamps are causing the low humidity. If you can get rid of those then your humidity will shoot right up. That being said, your temps are more important than the humidity. If you can get the humidity up temporarily during the shed cycle then you should be just fine.

A tub would also be a simple and cheap solution :-)

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If you are really having a problem with humidity then use a humid hide. (Most people use Sphagnum Moss) That way when when he/she sheds it will have enough humidity with the hides.

This is from what I gathered from multiple posts and whatnot. Don't hold me to it. :P

Thanks,

RJ

Do you have an UTH too? If not, I would swap out one of your lamps for an UTH on a thermostat. It would help you keep humidity up, especially if you added the plexi.

Also, some people report success by putting a bit larger surface area water dish under a heating lamp, so I would do this for your "cold side" to keep up ambient temps and help humidity.


Good luck.

I do have a UTH set at 92 but it does nothing for the ambient temps. My house is about 65 degrees right now, so I HAVE to use the lamps. I'm starting to think about the tubs more, but I just dont want to do it.

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Originally Posted by pigfat

I do have a UTH set at 92 but it does nothing for the ambient temps. My house is about 65 degrees right now, so I HAVE to use the lamps. I'm starting to think about the tubs more, but I just dont want to do it.

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Any particular reason why you don't want to make the switch? Obviously a tank is going to be a lot more visual appealing, but happy ball pythons don't really move that much anyway, so not a whole lot of fun to watch XD haha

Tubs in a cool room are a nightmare to keep ambient temps. I'd second the humid hide it is simple and easy solution with out compromising health or temps. I am always cautious about reducing ventilation for the sake of humidity especially with tanks that don't vent well anyway. There is a potential for generating excessive amounts of bacteria and floria that I personally am uneasy about subjecting some one elses animals to through my advise.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Tubs in a cool room are a nightmare to keep ambient temps. I'd second the humid hide it is simple and easy solution with out compromising health or temps. I am always cautious about reducing ventilation for the sake of humidity especially with tanks that don't vent well anyway. There is a potential for generating excessive amounts of bacteria and floria that I personally am uneasy about subjecting some one elses animals to through my advise.

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I actually gave "okay" advice? I knew the knowledge this site provides would come in handy. :cool:

Thanks,

RJ

What kind of heat lamps? Ones that emit light or the ceramic kind? When I still used heat lamps, I noticed the kind that does NOT emit light didn't drain the humidity as much.

As for the top, we have a wet towel covered with tin foil over about 2/3-3/4 of the lid. It's not very attractive, but does a great job of keeping in humidity AND evening out heat.

For the hot side I'm using a CHE, and for the cool side I have a infrared. Both have dimmers but they were almost full blast to keep the temps up. I went to the lumber yard and bought some foam to put around the back and sides of the tank. I had to buy a 4'X8' sheet of foam but it was only $7 lol. So far thats helping and I can cut it down to the CHE for now. And I'm also using the wet towel method but its drying out halfway through the day. We'll see how it is today at lunch.