Help please.

I can not keep the humidity up in my snakes aquarium. I get it to 60 and within an hr or 2 its back down to 20 or below sometimes even 5. I have to mist the cage like 5-10 times a day. I have a 20 gal tall aquarium i use a daylight 100 watt in day and 100 watt fluorescent lamp at night. I use cypress mulch, I use a cereal bowl for the water bowl , climbing log. I have tried putting damp rag on one side and it works for a little while than dries up and humidity goes back down. About 1 hr ago i re did the whole aquarium with new cypress mulch and and misted log. I put aluminum foil and duct tape the screen. I put a hole for air and another for the light rest secure and humidity was at 70 now its already down to 40%. I live in a apartment building and have my heat set to 70. I know you guys said aquariums suck but thats all i can use for now. There has to be a solution please help. I bought a humidifier and put it kinda by the snakes aquarium and that didn't even work. I don't know what else to do kinda getting annoyed. Below i have posted some pic links of my setup.

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/3139/ballpy2.th.jpg

http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/9...3042204481.jpg

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Glass tanks are nearly impossible to keep right, and with a 100 watt heat bulb it's impossible. I would look into other cages (like PVC cages) or replacing your heat lamp with an Under Tank Heater.

Under tank heaters require a thermostat

What are you using to measure temps?

Buy a fogger or humidifier and put it on a timer. Thats what i did with mine. Keep in mind tanks are hard to maintain humidity in.

ohh yea i forgot to put i have a under tank heater also its a smaller one. So if i get rid of the lamps how will it get its light and will that under tank heater keep the whole tank at 80 + and the snake wont have a basking area at 90. so what would i have to do. About the pvc caging how do i go about getting that and what will it cost to set it up.

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Originally Posted by drama x

Buy a fogger or humidifier and put it on a timer. Thats what i did with mine. Keep in mind tanks are hard to maintain humidity in.

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I did buy a humidifier and that didnt work so i took it back.

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Originally Posted by Jdizzle216

ohh yea i forgot to put i have a under tank heater also its a smaller one. So if i get rid of the lamps how will it get its light and will that under tank heater keep the whole tank at 80 + and the snake wont have a basking area at 90. so what would i have to do. About the pvc caging how do i go about getting that and what will it cost to set it up.

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UTH's do not affect the air temperature in the tank. but they can provide the basking temperature. They absolutely must be on a thermostat or else life threatening burns can/will occur (just a matter of time) To keep the cool side/air temperature high enough (78-82 degrees) you can use a low wattage heat bulb on a lamp dimmer or thermostat. I would recommend this in the 50 watt version.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...uctId=11147193

PVC cages can be ordered online directly from the companies that make them. I use PVC caged made by Animal Plastics.

Here is a thread about them.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

They cost at least $150 depending on size and add ons.

I use Eco Earth Substrate and it works great for humidity. I also cover the top with a peice of Plexi cut to fit with a few holes drilled in the top works great

im using a 20 $ thermo and hydrograph meter from pet supplies

ball pythons do not require any type of special lighting. All my bps are in racks, without any lights and they are just fine. You can use a CHE ( ceramic heat emitter ) instead of the lights and that will help with the heat, along with maybe helping keep the humidity right.

Are you using a thermostate with your heat pad? They are essential when using heat pads/heat tape.

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Originally Posted by Jdizzle216

im using a 20 $ thermo and hydrograph meter from pet supplies

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is it a dial type or digital with a probe?

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Originally Posted by RestlessRobie

I use Eco Earth Substrate and it works great for humidity. I also cover the top with a peice of Plexi cut to fit with a few holes drilled in the top works great

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What size aquarium do you have and I also think its my apartment there is no humidity in the air really... But thats why i bought a humidifier from walmart for 40 $ but didnt work so took it back.

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Originally Posted by heathers*bps

ball pythons do not require any type of special lighting. All my bps are in racks, without any lights and they are just fine. You can use a CHE ( ceramic heat emitter ) instead of the lights and that will help with the heat, along with maybe helping keep the humidity right.

Are you using a thermostate with your heat pad? They are essential when using heat pads/heat tape.

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No just its just the cheapest one my pet supplies had there is no temp setting just plug in wall and thats it. Its rather small

Build a rack. They are WAY easier to maintain humidity/temps and it gives you an excellent reason to get more snakes... :)

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Originally Posted by Jdizzle216

No just its just the cheapest one my pet supplies had there is no temp setting just plug in wall and thats it. Its rather small

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You need to unplug it immediately, they easily can get up to 130 degrees... enough to kill or severely burn your snake.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

is it a dial type or digital with a probe?

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This is what I have http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7...0304225048.jpg

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Originally Posted by Jdizzle216

This is what I have http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7...0304225048.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

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ok, you need to get one of these, the dial type are terribly and simply do not work.

These cost $12 at Walmart and will measure both the hot and cool side temperatures as well as humidity. You need a probed thermometer because UTH's do not affect the temperature of the air in the tank, and they are much more accurate.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

ok, you need to get one of these, the dial type are terribly and simply do not work.

These cost $12 at Walmart and will measure both the hot and cool side temperatures as well as humidity. You need a probed thermometer because UTH's do not affect the temperature of the air in the tank, and they are much more accurate.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

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Okay thanks for the info. Now should i just use the 50 watt fluorescent lamp 24/7? or should i use day during day n flu at night.

I looked everywhere @ Walmart for the accurite above, finally found them in the weather stripping area (by the paint and DIY stuff)

I would use an infrared heat bulb 24/7

This one is the best:

http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmar...3&lmdn=Reptile

You have unplugged the UTH yes?

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Originally Posted by tlich

I looked everywhere @ Walmart for the accurite above, finally found them in the weather stripping area (by the paint and DIY stuff)

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They do like hide them, most stores have them in the light bulb section but not all

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I would use an infrared heat bulb 24/7

This one is the best:

http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmar...3&lmdn=Reptile

You have unplugged the UTH yes?

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Yes I unplugged the UTH Thats the one i have

I also use and infrared 24/7, looks like your clamp lamp has a plastic socket, not sure though if so u need to get a porcelain one pet stores carry them, the plastic will melt/chip off from the heat

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Originally Posted by tlich

I also use and infrared 24/7, looks like your clamp lamp has a plastic socket, not sure though if so u need to get a porcelain one pet stores carry them, the plastic will melt/chip off from the heat

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good catch

Everyone thanks for your helpful tips hopefully soon i can help you guys with something. You guys are very helpful and quick to reply and not rude because i started a thread thats been posted a million times already. Again thanks.