Keeping the humidity stable in my tub?

So I have my ball python in a tub setup. He has a decent sized water bowl, not too terribly big or small. I've soldered two rows of holes on each side of the tub as well as some on the top, but my gauge still says the humidity is 80%? There's a chance it's just plain wrong, as it's one of those cheap analog ones (I've ordered a digital and I should get it Monday). But if it is correct what else can I do to lower humidity? 80% seems just way too high and I don't want to just solder holes all over the thing.

:confusd:

I wouldn't trust the analog hygrometer, but I've heard that as long as you have good airflow, high humidity is okay. Once the digital one arrives, if it's actually high, you can try a smaller water bowl (one with smaller surface area), and you can move the water bowl so it's more on the cool side. Depending on what substrate you're using, you may be able to switch substrates to one that doesn't hold as much humidity (for example, if you're using cypress mulch, switch to paper towels or newspaper).

Hope that helps!

Thanks. I am actually using newspaper currently. It's just he also has mild scale rot (had it when I got him), and I'm afraid the humidity will make it worse (I am treating with betadine/antibiotic).

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Originally Posted by Felecia

Thanks. I am actually using newspaper currently. It's just he also has mild scale rot (had it when I got him), and I'm afraid the humidity will make it worse (I am treating with betadine/antibiotic).

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That makes sense. Personally, I wouldn't really worry about it until you have the digital hygrometer, and you know what the humidity actually is. I can't imagine that one more day will make a huge difference, even if the humidity is at 80%. I think the bigger thing is cleaning up any messes and water bowl spills as soon as you see them. But if you can try a smaller water bowl, moving the water bowl to the cool side if it's not there already, and even turning on a fan near his tub for more circulation, that would probably help lower it.

A fan would be good but it should not be to close or pointed directly at the snakes. An oscillating fan across the room should work fine.

the digital hygrometer is saying about 60% humidity, so that's good! The analog was probably wrong, I guess. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Felecia

So I have my ball python in a tub setup. He has a decent sized water bowl, not too terribly big or small. I've soldered two rows of holes on each side of the tub as well as some on the top, but my gauge still says the humidity is 80%? There's a chance it's just plain wrong, as it's one of those cheap analog ones (I've ordered a digital and I should get it Monday). But if it is correct what else can I do to lower humidity? 80% seems just way too high and I don't want to just solder holes all over the thing.

:confusd:

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There is honestly NOTHING at all wrong with 80% UNLESS your ambient temps are cold... 78+ and your fine, congratulations you'll never have a bad shed =) and a happy snake!

IF for your sake you want to know, Use this

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/herpr...hygrometer.htm

This will help you to Calibrate your gauge to + or - for proper humidty.

Lastly with stick on ones they are very unreliable as other say Because IF a drip of water from mister or condensation gets near or behind it. Well now the readings will skyrocket to obserd amounts! I just use them for more of a "guidline" having a rack system i have 0 hygrometers and havnt ever needed one, i know my snake room sits at 50% dry times and 60% normally all my snakes have been happy for 2 years now going on 3! i check on them every 1-2 days and if one is in shed, he gets a sticker and my attention(which just means i mist him at night/morning + a small deli with a hole punched lid with water) I have a temp/humidty gauge for my entire snake rooms, and ran with ARS rack so humidity will rougly be the same. As i said I juse use it as a guideline! aslong as your know your humidity isnt extremely low or vis versa you should be fine(/Health wise)! And can judge by his shed!

ID also like to say 80% with paper (i didn't read that LOL) id be impressed!!!!

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Originally Posted by Felecia

the digital hygrometer is saying about 60% humidity, so that's good! The analog was probably wrong, I guess. :)

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That's much better!