Juggling temp and humidity
I'm having a terrible time getting Gio's setup just right. I've got an undertank heater and a red heat lamp and the warm side is still pretty firmly at 88 degrees. Humidity goes up into the 70's for a little while after I spray the tank down, but then drops back to the low 50's the rest of the time. I've got a big bowl of water and also a homemade humidifier, and half the top of the tank covered.
Gio spends most of the day in his cool hide, slithers around in the evening, basks under his light for a bit, and retires to his warm hide till morning.
Any ideas on how to increase heat/humidity?
Re: Juggling temp and humidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinkspore
I'm having a terrible time getting Gio's setup just right. I've got an undertank heater and a red heat lamp and the warm side is still pretty firmly at 88 degrees. Humidity goes up into the 70's for a little while after I spray the tank down, but then drops back to the low 50's the rest of the time. I've got a big bowl of water and also a homemade humidifier, and half the top of the tank covered.
Gio spends most of the day in his cool hide, slithers around in the evening, basks under his light for a bit, and retires to his warm hide till morning.
Any ideas on how to increase heat/humidity?
Humidity in the low 50's is fine, you don't need to be in the 70's unless Gio is shedding or having problems shedding. I'd say the warm side definitely needs to go up more. What kind of thermometer are you using, where is it mounted, are you using a thermostat and what kind of cage are you using?
Re: Juggling temp and humidity
The tank is a 20 gallon long with a screen top half covered in plastic wrap. Gio shed about 2 weeks ago according to his previous keepers. I'm using a Flukers digital thermometer/hygrometer mounted about 1/3 the length of the tank from the warm end. I can't afford a thermostat just now, but maybe eventually.
Re: Juggling temp and humidity
One critical factor to keep in mind when measuring temps, is to make sure you measure the temperature in the place that the snake will actually be....measuring the temperate 1/3 of the way from the warm side would give me basically worthless information when trying to determine what the warm hide temperature is.
Try that and get back to us!
And about the humidity- it sounds like what you are doing is fine and I wouldn't slave over what the hygrometer says from hour to hour. Wait until the next shed, make adjustments if need be, and go from there.
Good luck!
