quick question about humidity

A 55 gallon tank is really way too big for a ball python and is causing you a lot of problems. Can you get a smaller tank, like 10 gallons? This would hold in the heat and humidity much better for you.

Also, you could take some card board and cover the back and sides of the tank to help insulate the tank.

But really, you need a much smaller space for the snake.

I was having the same problem with my humidity.. only i have a 20 gal..
and so i sprayed it down, and put tin foil on the top.
and it keep it at 30-40 so that was better.. until i sprayed it down today and found that it was starting to get mold..
but still 30-40 isnt that high.
what can i do

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Originally Posted by LYDIA

I was having the same problem with my humidity.. only i have a 20 gal..
and so i sprayed it down, and put tin foil on the top.
and it keep it at 30-40 so that was better.. until i sprayed it down today and found that it was starting to get mold..
but still 30-40 isnt that high.
what can i do

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Lydia~ Start a new thread for your questions and also describe your set-up :)

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Originally Posted by starmom

Lydia~ Start a new thread for your questions and also describe your set-up :)

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i started one..
some one please help me out!

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Originally Posted by starmom

A 55 gallon tank is really way too big for a ball python and is causing you a lot of problems. Can you get a smaller tank, like 10 gallons? This would hold in the heat and humidity much better for you.

Also, you could take some card board and cover the back and sides of the tank to help insulate the tank.

But really, you need a much smaller space for the snake.

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a 55 gallon really isnt big enough for him. hes almost 5 ft long. and ill try the cardboard thing.

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Originally Posted by keelenswife217

a 55 gallon really isnt big enough for him. hes almost 5 ft long. and ill try the cardboard thing.

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:O Holy cow!! He's a big snake!! I have my big ones in 3x2x1 cages. What's the dimensions of the 55g versus, lets say, the 20g long? I'm wondering if you were able to decrease height and increase length, then it would help :)

if u use a heat lamp the best way to trap the humdity, while letting in the rays in plastic wrap. cut some small holes on either side of the cage for air flow.... this along with a mulch type substrate and ur humidity problems should be gone

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Originally Posted by starmom

:O Holy cow!! He's a big snake!! I have my big ones in 3x2x1 cages. What's the dimensions of the 55g versus, lets say, the 20g long? I'm wondering if you were able to decrease height and increase length, then it would help :)

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I just sold my friends old 55g that he had his huge female in, it was 4ftL x1.5ftH x1.5ftD. I would still say a 55g is too big just because of the fact that Ball's like more enclosed areas to feel secure. My big boy is in (I don't know the gallon size) a tank of 3ftL x2ftH x2ftD. The extra height is there only because he's a climber and covets his big branch, or I'd bring it down a bit.

But anywho, I would say definitely insulate the sides with cardboard for now. If you don't have foil, you can use plastic wrap for the screen lid. Just cover 3/4 of the screen. I'm not sure if this would do much, but maybe instead of having the heat lamps right on top, maybs you can elevate them, have them clipped onto something a foot or two above the tank, so the heat radiates down but it's not so intense and doesn't dry up the air as much..but then again I'm not sure if that'd honestly do anything, I'm just guessing :P

I would strongly suggest staying away from damp towels because it's a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Once you get enough money, I believe a zoo-med UTH for a 55g is around $40, and then also get some cypress mulch, it doesn't get moldy and it gets lighter in color when it dries out, so you know when to dampen it again. That'll help with the humidity.

In the meantime since your snake is going into shed, see if you can get some sphagnum moss, and put it into a big vase or something the snake will fit in, so it's like a humid hide. That'll help somewhat at least.

It might have an RI because of the extremely dry enclosure, but I'm not too sure about this since I haven't really had any snakes with an RI, just a small scare of one.

Hope this helps

Writers above are right...the overhead lights suck away humidity. UTH are better for that reason. However, there ARE a few things you can TRY (no guarantees)...aside from what has already been mentioned previously in this thread (they're all correct.)

1. Especially during shedding, you DO need to increase the humidity...however, given your circumstances, with the respiratory infection, try a humidity box. You can make one cheap. Take an appropriately-sized tupperware container with lid (and by appropriate...just large enough for your snake to ball up in...too big and he/she won't use it.) Also, if you can find one that is opaque (not clear) you're better off (so they feel like they're hiding. Anyway, line it with damp sphagnum mos...just an inch or two. It's inexpensive at the pet store and shouldn't mold up on you. You can also use paper-towels or a wash-cloth, but these CAN mildew and perhaps cause more problems. Just make sure WHATEVER you use you check it often, and keep it damp (NOT sitting in water) Next, cut out a corner, or hole in the lid that is just a little larger than the largest part of your snake for entrance into the hide/exit out of the hide. Place it inside the tank (not just below a heat source but close enough that the water evaporates inside the tupperware. HOPEFULLY, your lovely little friend will use it...Just a note: mine did not. But, I've heard it being successful for others.
2. Also, using a larger water dish, perhaps? One he/she can soak in that is NOT just below a heat source. This may not help humidity, but soaking during a shed is important.
3. An expense, but probably worth it if this is going to be a long-term problem, is to invest in a waterfall (it'll increase humidity)
4. We're going to try the Repti-Fogger (set to once every morning to start- in order for it NOT to become a tropical tank) to see if this helps our BP humidity issues.
5. Ultimately, in the meantime, give her LOTS of very luke-warm water baths, and assist where needed for shedding purposes. Although this isn't a good time to handle them, his/her physical health outweighs her need for low stress. Be calm, gentle, and reduce handling to a minimum...but just do what you can!

I hope this has helped. If not...sorry. If you have any other questions, I'll try to help. If anyone disagrees, that's fine...please just be nice and give a correction post below. Thanks!

Get a water bowl that has as much surface as possible... or put 2 bowls in there. The more water surface the higher the humidity. I have a big tank with 2 big water bowls in there, and humidity is around 50% all the time.