Bulb options for ambient temp and humidity question...

Hi, I have a full grown BP in a 40 gallon glass enclosure with a screen top. I have a UTH on a thermostat on the hot side at 90 degrees F. In the summer I had about 2/3 of the top covered with acrylic and since the cage is located pretty close to the swamp cooler, this kept humidity at proper levels. Ambient/cool side temps fluctuated quite a bit during summertime but my BP still moved around pretty regularly. Since winter started and I live in an old drafty single wide with bad insulation, the furnace is coming on all the time and causing humidity levels to go down. I remedied this by covering more of the top. There is still decent airflow because 1/8 (just the locking door) of the top is uncovered. Humidity is now stabilized once again at ~50%.

Since my room temps fluctuate quite a lot in my home, I've acquired a UTH to put under her hide on the cool side and ordered another Helix thermostat to control it. I will keep it at 80 degrees F.

Now here's my problem: I need a way to control ambient temperature without drying out the air. I tried a ceramic heat emitter (I think it was 75 watts) but it dried out the cage ridiculously fast. Went down from like 60% to 18% in just a few hours (that was with 2/3 of the top covered). It also didn't quite heat up the cool side surface temp enough either. Which is why I decided to use a second UTH.

Here's my two questions: Does an infrared bulb dry out the cage as badly as a ceramic heat emitter? And if I go with an infrared bulb, what wattage would work well for ambient temps in a 40 gallon glass enclosure? I already have a dimmer I can use with it, so I'd like to get a bulb that's powerful enough to leave me some headroom for adjustment.

Thanks I advance for your help...

CHEs are actually MUCH better for the humidity than infrared bulbs.
EDIT: i completely skipped over the part where you explained that the CHE wasn't working for you. my bad! but IMO i find CHEs to be better for humidity than IR bulbs. is heating the room an option? other than that, you're only other option is bulbs, or a PVC enclosure + RHP.

i used a 100 W CHE on my 20gal with its rheostat turned up only a little. i'd say you could use a 150 W with a 40gal with plenty of power to spare.

what are you using to measure the humidity with?

I'm using the little round, black digital hygrometers from PetSmart. I think the brand name is All Living Things. I'm thinking about cutting a hole in the acrylic covering I have ... Just big enough for the CHE fixture... Then possibly using moss or some kind of mister if humidity levels continue to be a problem?

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Originally Posted by Raziel

I'm using the little round, black digital hygrometers from PetSmart. I think the brand name is All Living Things.

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[post deleted because GOSH i suck at reading today!!! my comprehension is lacking, i'm so sorry. they are digital. UGH.]

i'm not familiar with those hygrometers but i'd question their accuracy; a quick google shows they're not great. a lot of us use AcuRite brand thermometer/hygrometers that only cost $8. it might be worth getting one so you have a second "opinion" on your humidity levels.

Ok I just ordered one of the Acurites...

Oh, and heating the room isn't really an option. My thermostat for the furnace is located in the same room as the enclosure, so if it was 80 degrees in here, the rest of the house would be even hotter and my gas bill would be ridiculous. :O

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Originally Posted by Raziel

Ok I just ordered one of the Acurites...

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Originally Posted by Raziel

Oh, and heating the room isn't really an option. My thermostat for the furnace is located in the same room as the enclosure, so if it was 80 degrees in here, the rest of the house would be even hotter and my gas bill would be ridiculous. :O

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awesome. keep us updated on how it works!!!

i understand about heating the room. to your question about using moss: sphagnum moss is excellent at boosting humidity. another trick i use is to lay a damp (not dripping) hand towel over the warm side hide.