heating and humidity questions

I just got a new baby ball python a few days ago and have some questions about heating and humidity. Currently i have 10-20gallon bottom tank heating pad as well as a heat lamp. The heat lamp isn't directly on the cage, i hangs about a foot and a half above the cage and was wondering if i should be using both sources of heat or if its too much. Also im using a 10 gallon aquarium atm with a screen lid and was wondering how high the humidity in the cage should be and also how to raise and lower the humidity in the aquarium as needed... any help would be greatly appreciated.

There is a few people who have good write ups on tank conversions, check out the search feature ;)

Screen lids suck for ball pythons, as in they suck the humidity right out of the tank,
especially with an overhead heat source(which is probably necessary).

if i put a big tupperware lid over the screen top would that help trap humidity.. like on of those big lids from a sweeter bin?

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Originally Posted by davepfingstler

if i put a big tupperware lid over the screen top would that help trap humidity.. like on of those big lids from a sweeter bin?

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That won't help with ambient temperature.

I suggest looking into using a locking lid tub instead of using a tank.
The work it takes to make a tank husbandry proper is so much more than a tub ...

Humidity: 65% no more or less
Hot: 86-90 (depends on the snake, but no more or less than this)
Cool: 78-81 again depending on the snake.

How are you measuring your temp and humidity? Accurites are very popular here and is sold at Walmart. To keep humidity you should put the water bowl under the lamp and a wet towel covering at least 60% of the screen top.

Tubs are great unless the room is cool there are very few ambient heating methods that maybe used safely with them.

another option... Heat rises humid air also rises.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

Quote:

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Originally Posted by davepfingstler

if i put a big tupperware lid over the screen top would that help trap humidity.. like on of those big lids from a sweeter bin?

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On my 10gal tank, I've currently got tin foil, followed by a styrofoam sheet cut to size, then an old bath towel that falls over part of the front (the other 3 sides of the tank are insulated with styrofoam)...it has improved the overall humidity by 10%, but it's still pretty dry in there. I've heard others recommend wet towels or saran wrap. Regardless of what you use, some of the screen top must remain clear to allow for ventilation. Placing a large water dish either over your UTH or under your heat lamp, aspen or cypress mulch bedding, and misting multiple times a day will also increase ambient humidity.