humidity

Ok so i just bought my first ball python last monday. I had humidity problems so i switched my substrate to cypress mulch and it still dries out quickly and humidity goes back down. I have to soak the substrate 3 times a day to get a decent humidity level. Its in a glass tank with a screen top. Any help would be appriciated.

What type of heating are you using?

Cover about 3/4 of the screen with foil tape or a damp cloth. Also having a large bowl of water closer to the heat source will help.

In my 40gal tank I have a hard time keeping it over 45. I added moss to the hides and will mist that every few days and during a shed I will keep it damp. This creates a micro climate of high humidity within the hide, and since it is also where your bp will be most of the time they benefit greatly from it.

How or what are you using to read your humidity?

You'll never be able to hold a consistent humidity level in a glass aquarium. They're made for fish, not reptiles; yet people continue to use them...in your case, you're learning new things so don't think I'm attacking you. Instead of doing a bunch of work to keep the humidity up in an aquarium, buy a sterilite tub at wal-mart for $5. Punch some holes in it (I use a soldering iron, or you can use a drill). Paper towel substrate. Water bowl. Hide. UTH on a thermostat. You will never have to mist, use a moist hide, moss, cypress mulch, plastic wrap, wet towel, etc...perfect humidity with zero work. :) Also make sure you're using a digital hygrometer and thermometer.

^ Definitely switch to a tub! Use aspen, newspaper, cutting paper, or any other type of substrate you want (That's acceptable for BPs). I use a small waterbowl, I use carefresh, it keeps the humidity up, but make sure to have holes in the tub, but put a base amount, and then put more with humidity check after every hole or two hole! Happy hut making. c:

tubs hold humidity really well to tell you the truth. much easier, when I was younger we had a ball python in an aquarium with a specially made sliding lid, the sides of the lid were still mesh though so it made it hard to keep humidity in. Now that I keep my guys in the tubs, the humidity is always right where it needs to be.

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Originally Posted by BallChick

You'll never be able to hold a consistent humidity level in a glass aquarium. They're made for fish, not reptiles; yet people continue to use them...in your case, you're learning new things so don't think I'm attacking you. Instead of doing a bunch of work to keep the humidity up in an aquarium, buy a sterilite tub at wal-mart for $5. Punch some holes in it (I use a soldering iron, or you can use a drill). Paper towel substrate. Water bowl. Hide. UTH on a thermostat. You will never have to mist, use a moist hide, moss, cypress mulch, plastic wrap, wet towel, etc...perfect humidity with zero work. :) Also make sure you're using a digital hygrometer and thermometer.

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A tub will work but they are not very nice to look at. Having one snake you can make the tank work and I don't think it's that much work. I Check my snakes daily usually several times and have a bottle close by for a little mist. It's not hard. If we are recommending new enclosures and you like being able to see inside then pvc is the way to go.

Just adding the moss to the hides will probably give you what you need. I have great sheds using that trick.I also like using it because it adds security to the hide. I place it just inside the door so they can crawl through it and then it acts like a door. It stops light from getting in and makes the hide more snug without actually making the hide smaller.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BallChick

You'll never be able to hold a consistent humidity level in a glass aquarium. They're made for fish, not reptiles; yet people continue to use them...in your case, you're learning new things so don't think I'm attacking you. Instead of doing a bunch of work to keep the humidity up in an aquarium, buy a sterilite tub at wal-mart for $5. Punch some holes in it (I use a soldering iron, or you can use a drill). Paper towel substrate. Water bowl. Hide. UTH on a thermostat. You will never have to mist, use a moist hide, moss, cypress mulch, plastic wrap, wet towel, etc...perfect humidity with zero work. :) Also make sure you're using a digital hygrometer and thermometer.

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A tub will work but they are not very nice to look at. Having one snake you can make the tank work and I don't think it's that much work. I Check my snakes daily usually several times and have a bottle close by for a little mist. It's not hard. If we are recommending new enclosures and you like being able to see inside then pvc is the way to go.

Just adding the moss to the hides will probably give you what you need. I have great sheds using that trick.I also like using it because it adds security to the hide. I place it just inside the door so they can crawl through it and then it acts like a door. It stops light from getting in and makes the hide more snug without actually making the hide smaller.

Tanks may be nicer to look at but they are just to much work in my opinion. I used to keep my bp's in tanks but after struggling with temps and humidity I built a rack and bought some tubs. Now my snakes are very happy, shedding and eating consistently.

Well i just dropped a lot of money in this terreriun so im gonna rry the moss idea first then if that doesnt work ill switch. Also i heard if you have like a stick or log from a pet store or something if you let it soak in water for an hour then put it in the tank it helps too. Thanks for all the help!

Also i use a UTH and heat lamp on one side and a light on the otger that i turn off when its night.

Can someone give me a good temp/humid gauge for my tank and also do ibjeed only one temp gauge or multiple?