So what the heck is proper humidity??

After doing about as much research as I can handle the only thing I know for sure is that I really don't know what to keep the humidity at in my tubs. I have read to keep it as low as 50% and some say as high as 80%. So what is the proper level? Between 50% and 80% as long as it's not wet? My tubs right now go anywhere between 60% up to 78% depending on the day. 12 quart tub, no moisture or condensation, paper towel as bedding, 4" water bowl, about 10 holes around the perimeter made with a soldering iron, ambient temps 80-82 and hot spot of 90. Seems good to me but then i'll read something that says 78% humidity is too high. I feel unneccesarily confused, but confused nonetheless.

Paul

Normally 50%-60% is just fine. I bring my humidity up to 70% when my snake is in shed. I use tubs so humidity is not an issue for me either.

As above. :)

But let the snake be the final guide - if you still get bad sheds at 60-70% try 70 -80%

As long as you aren't getting conditions damp enough for mold or wet substrate etc then you should be fine.


dr del

I target 55-60% I rarely bring it up for sheds and almost never have an issue. I allow it to dip to 40% and this also causes no issue but sheds at this RH are problematic. I find few have an accurate means of reading humidity Digital units are very sensitive and tend to creep up as they age (dirt on the sensor surface often causes this.) I think this is where the higher RH is coming from keepers that have in accurate high reading hygrometers and are seeing bad sheds at 60% (actually lower perhaps a lot lower accurite old specs were 10% rh up or down if they were perfect it is quite likely worse as they age)

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Originally Posted by dr del

As long as you aren't getting conditions damp enough for mold or wet substrate etc then you should be fine.

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^ Yup! Higher humidity can be tolerable as long as there is no real moisture causing condensation in the bin or wetness on your substrate. - - If your humidity is high enough that moisture is forming molds and/or fungus you can be pretty sure that you have a breeding ground for bacteria and this is obviously not good for your snake.

In my racks my humidiity averages 70% now and I have a snake or two that still need a humidity boost for a clean shed.

Interesting. So if the humidity in my tubs is up around 75% yet I see or feel no actual wetness or moisture or condensation, then I shouldn't have to try bringing it down by adding more holes or anything correct? Because I was all geared up to turn my tubs into swiss cheese.

With a 4 inch water bowl in a 12 Qt tub, you're bound to have some high humidity. I use the same size bowls in my 32 Qt tubs and maintain right around 58%.