Tank Heat and Humidity Problems Solved

For those of you who have a tank and live in colder parts of the country, you know that it can be difficult to keep your tank warm and keep humidity up. For a while I was having to use two heat bulbs to keep ambient temps up which was a nightmare for humidity. Having to mist 2-3 times a day and all that fun jazz. I finally figured out what to do so I thought I would post a few pictures (crappy ones) to show others that may be having the same problem.

First I went to my hardware store and TRIED to buy a broken piece of styrofoam insulation, but they didnt have any so I had to buy the whole 4' X 8' sheet, which set me back a whopping $7.65. I measured my tank from the bottom of the top lip, to the top of the bottom lip, so the styrofoam would set inside the lips, flush with the glass. I just used a sharm knife to cut the styrofoam. Using four small pieces of double sided tape, I attached the styrofoam on the sides and back of the tank. The styrofoam has foil on one side, and that helps bounce the heat back in the tank. I know its not pretty, but it keeps my snake healthy until spring gets here, and thats more important.

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...at7/photo2.jpg

I am down to one heat bulb that has a dimmer on it, and I am getting perfect temps on both sides of the tank.

Now, for the humidity: I mist once every day, and also use a humide hide if I know I'll be gone for a while, but if you see the picture below, I have two towels layed out on top. I soak the bottom towel in warm water and ring it out just enough to where its not dripping everywhere, then I lay it on the screen. I take another towel and mist it with my sprayer and lay it over the top of the bottom towel. I have the top one folded over just to show the bottom towel.

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...at7/photo4.jpg

Anyways, maybe this will help someone else out who is having problems during the colder months. I am going to re-cut foam and paint it black that way it fits better, and looks better! I was just in a hurry to to get my temps and humidity up for my boy!

thanks i tried the wet towel thing and my humidity is perfect despite having ceramic heat emitter, i couldnt get the darn thing above 45%

Same here! I put a larger water bowl, misted the heck out of it and still had no humidity. This has been a great saver for me.

this was a lot of help, i use a tub so what i did was got a towel damped then use a paper clip (black ones) and stretched it across the tub on one half and it works, do you damp your towels a couple times a day?

Yes, I usually have to do it at least twice a day. I am converting to this though:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...highlight=lucy

because it will be MUCH better at holding in the humidity. Luckily my tank has a screen that slides in from the side, so I'm going to turn mine over on the side and just slide the plexiglass in from the top. This method still works well for me though, I'm just trying different methods.

Before you paint the styrofoam, do a test piece. I think that spray paint will eat through it.
spooky

It will definitely dissolve the foam. Water based paint works well though.

definitely trying this when I get home :)

:salute:Hi this is my first post, but have been around a long time ago learning

I have same problem with a glass tank , I put styrofoam on the back and sides, big water bowl for humidity in the warm side , and the top with foil and foil tape
just some holes for ventilation and for the lamp if you have one and that setup boost my temp 10 degrees in each side now i have perfect temps i hope that help you. my setp up is 55 gal glass tank 75 watts lamp/light and big uth the one for 55 gal tanks zilla brand and my home is always 70F in summer and in winter it was 60 F