humidity problems, need help!

so I got a new tank not too long ago and I am having major problems with keeping the humidity up... it's a fifty gallon terrarium with a mesh top and I have tried everything I can think just short of spraying water in it every 20 min.

I built the DIY humidifier, I covered the top of the tank with tin foil and cardboard, I just soaked the repti bark I have in water for a good half an hour and the humidity still hasn't raised above 40%, oh and I have two water dishes one of which is directly below a ceramic heat emitter

What are you using to gauge the humidity?

a petco brand analog hygrometer

Hi,

Time for an upgrade to the $12 acurite from walmart. :D


dr del

If you are talking about one of the circular stick on/suction cup hygrometers, I would highly suggest picking up an Accu-rite gauge from walmart, like this one: http://www.iaqsource.com/product.php...product=110790

The stick on ones are notorious for being inaccurate.

well assuming it's not the meathod of measurement... since I have had two bad sheds in the new tank, what else can I do?

first off ditch the tank. thats just WAY to big for any size ball python.

How big is the snake. Should be ok in a 20 gallon tank. Tape down foil o nthe screen lid covering 3/4 of the top. Also don use a heat lamp in tanks as its hard to keep humidity up.

what are other ways to heat a tank than heat lamps?

These are best for tanks. Get the size you need for the tank your gonna use and just tape it to the bottom of the tank.

http://reptilebasics.com/Ultratherm-...p-1-c-273.html

I already have one of those... doesn't heat the tank enough alone

how cold is the room their in. if your able to keep the room in the high 70s you can ditch the lamp. Or go to a lower watt bulb. the ultratherms is all you should need if you keep room warmer. Ive never used or owned a heat lamp for my ball pythons.

the room is usually in the mid 60's to low 70's

you need to up the temps as those temps can be dangerous for pythons.

I keep the tank in the upper 80's during the day and they drop to the mid 70's at night and thats on the cold side

neer drop the temps unless ur breeding. Even then most breeders never go below 75. I for one dont have to cycle temps. Keep a 24/7 80-84 cool side and 90-94 warm side

I kept a ball python in a 50 gallon (and then a 40 gallon) tank for three years. As long as they have plenty of hides and are feeding normally and overall doing well, then that size of tank is fine.

I couldn't keep the humidity up in that tank, either, no matter what I tried (short of putting in a humidifier). Just give the snake a humid hide, and he'll be just fine! I use a 6 qt Sterilite container with a hole cut in it for access and damp, fake moss in the bottom. Works like a charm, even in glass tanks with screen lids. Just make sure to keep the moss damp (not soggy, not dry).

should I put the humid hide on the hot or cold side of the tank?

u rly oughtta get a smaller tank =\... u need less stuff to fill it, its cheaper, and it'll be easier to keep humid than a 50g. AND, it takes up less space, so u can keep ur supplies next to it (mister, tongs, etc..)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JUNKyardHOE

should I put the humid hide on the hot or cold side of the tank?

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Either. Feel free to play around with it. I had mine on the warm side, but your snake might prefer it the other way around.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by h00blah

u rly oughtta get a smaller tank =\... u need less stuff to fill it, its cheaper, and it'll be easier to keep humid than a 50g. AND, it takes up less space, so u can keep ur supplies next to it (mister, tongs, etc..)

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well it would have been cheaper if i hadn't already bought the 50g tank and i think now that I have taken out one of the heat lamps I got the humidity right

thanks for all your guys' help