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  • 12-19-2013, 07:42 PM
    Mr Green
    I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    I'll just post a picture of my setup. No matter what I do my humidity always drops down to the 37-40 range. Should I try out a new substrate? I'm using aspen currently.

    http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1783/sz9u.jpg
  • 12-19-2013, 08:38 PM
    tlich
    You could try a different substrate, I didn't have much luck with aspen and went back to cypress. Also try taping down the foil on top so it's all sealed not just laying there. (Tape on the outside only)
  • 12-19-2013, 08:39 PM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    In a glass enclosure with a heat lamp, it's hard to keep the humidity up. You can try coco husk substrate but the heat lamp will keep drying it out.

    I have the same issues with my glass tank. I mist once a day to keep it up. Also, try to seal your foil a little better so less humidity escapes.

    Can't wait to go PVC or wooden enclosure to get away from the humidity and heating problems.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 12-19-2013, 08:42 PM
    killswitch
    When I got my first 2 ball pythons I had them in a glass aquarium also, Id mist daily and when it got close to shedding time I would add a Shed box. Small circular bowl filled with sphagnum moss and wet it down well. 1 snake used it and it worked perfectly, the other I had to place in there and close up the lid for her so she had to be in there.
    I use bins now in my rack and don't have that problem.
  • 12-19-2013, 08:50 PM
    Mr. Misha
    Couldn't edit my last post but here's the link on how to properly close off the screen top. Hope this helps.

    http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ghlight=screen
  • 12-19-2013, 09:02 PM
    Mr Green
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Thanks for the help guys! I think I will try a new substrate out.

    I would love to try a different tank style, but I don't think I could afford it at the moment.
  • 12-19-2013, 09:19 PM
    Mr Green
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Misha View Post
    Couldn't edit my last post but here's the link on how to properly close off the screen top. Hope this helps.

    http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ghlight=screen

    Is it okay to have my heat lamp directly over the foil if I did this? I don't want to burn anything.
  • 12-19-2013, 09:24 PM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mr Green View Post
    Is it okay to have my heat lamp directly over the foil if I did this? I don't want to burn anything.

    If its just foil then yes. But if it's duct tape with foil, then no. Does that make sense?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 12-19-2013, 09:28 PM
    Mr Green
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Misha View Post
    If its just foil then yes. But if it's duct tape with foil, then no. Does that make sense?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

    Completely, I actually will be using foil tape.

    I'm just making sure I get this straight, I can have just one open spot for air passage?
  • 12-19-2013, 09:34 PM
    Raven01
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Not sure if this applies to your situation but, where I live the cold months create very dry air. I run humidifiers to bring up the overall humidity so that the issue is easier to deal with.
    For glass enclosures with UV lights I use a mix of repti-bark and eco-earth and only have to mist every few days.

    I cannot recommend highly enough the use of a X-PVC enclosure for helping with humidity issues (Tubs would work equally well I am sure but, because you chose a tank I am assuming you want some sort of display set-up).
  • 12-19-2013, 09:35 PM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mr Green View Post
    Completely, I actually will be using foil tape.

    I'm just making sure I get this straight, I can have just one open spot for air passage?

    Foil tape definitely works.

    Yea, you can have one spot for air ventilation and that should be enough.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 12-19-2013, 09:39 PM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Misha View Post
    Foil tape definitely works.

    Yea, you can have one spot for air ventilation and that should be enough. Use common sense :)

    Here's my setup for one of my tanks:

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk



    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 12-19-2013, 09:41 PM
    Mr Green
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Raven01 View Post
    Not sure if this applies to your situation but, where I live the cold months create very dry air. I run humidifiers to bring up the overall humidity so that the issue is easier to deal with.
    For glass enclosures with UV lights I use a mix of repti-bark and eco-earth and only have to mist every few days.

    I cannot recommend highly enough the use of a X-PVC enclosure for helping with humidity issues (Tubs would work equally well I am sure but, because you chose a tank I am assuming you want some sort of display set-up).

    That's correct! My end goal is to one day breed balls and if I ever get to that route I will invest in a rack system.
  • 12-19-2013, 09:41 PM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    I personally use plexiglass. It's a little bit more expensive but is more durable and I can adjust how much air I let in.

    Sorry for the uselss post above. Dont know what happend there.

    http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/20/be7ara5e.jpg

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 12-19-2013, 10:12 PM
    KMG
    Place the foil tape on most of the screen but leave a window where the heat from the lamp can pass through.

    As for the humidity issue I add moss to the hides. I leave it in there at all time. I keep it damp during a shed and during regular time I will damped it and allow it to dry out before dampening again.

    I have a bp in a 40gal glass tank using cypress, uth, and a 100watt che with a 60watt lamp over it. Adding the humid hides gives me perfect sheds with little effort on my part.

    I do have a mister on the tank but that is more for the live plants. So adding humid hides and misting daily should give you good sheds without changing your substrate but adding cypress would only help.

    Your water bowl is a shape that could easily be tipped by your snake. This could flood your tank and could cause some problems. Many people find nice cheap bowls at dollar stores. I personally use ceramic dog bowls in many of my cages. They work great.
  • 12-19-2013, 11:44 PM
    Mr Green
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Well I did the foil modification to my screen and now my humidity is currently 86 :O.

    Should I air it out a little or wait for it to go down on its own? As 50-60 is more preferable, right?
  • 12-20-2013, 12:32 AM
    BLM94
    Give it a few days to settle in. Your BP will be able to deal with non-perfect humidity for a bit, they're more hardy than many of us give them credit for. If it's still high after 3-4 days try adjusting your foil coverage
  • 12-20-2013, 12:54 AM
    SquamishSerpents
    Is that circular thing in the top-right of your cage the humidity gauge?
  • 12-20-2013, 02:18 AM
    Mr Green
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents View Post
    Is that circular thing in the top-right of your cage the humidity gauge?

    That is correct.
  • 12-20-2013, 02:37 AM
    SlitherinSisters
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Tanks and heat lamps are humidity killers! You'll just have to keep at it, maybe even mist the tank from time to time. I'm glad the foil tape is working, that's a good idea!

    Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 2
  • 12-20-2013, 03:14 AM
    SquamishSerpents
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Put your humidity gauge in the garbage and go buy a digital one :P
  • 12-20-2013, 03:54 AM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents View Post
    Put your humidity gauge in the garbage and go buy a digital one :P

    I think that is a digital gauge. He also has the acurite gauge setup that usually had a humidity sensor as well.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 12-20-2013, 05:03 AM
    SquamishSerpents
    Really? Why don't mine have built in hygros! Lame, lol.

    And if it's digital then forgive me, never seen a dial-type that was digital. The analog ones are super inaccurate, though. That's why I said that, OP. I've seen far too many times, somebody thinks they are having humidity issues when it turns out the issue is what is being used to measure the humidity!
  • 12-20-2013, 05:27 AM
    Mr. Misha
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents View Post
    Really? Why don't mine have built in hygros! Lame, lol.

    And if it's digital then forgive me, never seen a dial-type that was digital. The analog ones are super inaccurate, though. That's why I said that, OP. I've seen far too many times, somebody thinks they are having humidity issues when it turns out the issue is what is being used to measure the humidity!

    I totally agree with you. The analog ones are garbage. If you're looking for a cheap digital one this one is pretty decent and not too expensive. Has both temp and humidity.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000H6...dir=1387531490

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
  • 12-20-2013, 03:06 PM
    Mr Green
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    The one I currently have is digital and was roughly 15 bucks at the pet store

    And thanks for the help everyone! This is a very forgiving and insightful forum.
  • 12-20-2013, 10:01 PM
    Wizard
    Re: I'm having a terrible time keeping my humidity up.
    I also recommend switching to cypress bedding. It did wonders for my moisture issues.
  • 12-20-2013, 10:44 PM
    Dev_DeCoste
    Like others have said, a shed hide helps really well. Make sure the container is a solid color-not a clear one. They won't use a clear one. Also, Aspen I've heard is great- but for me was terrible. Doesn't hold moisture at all. Maybe it's better for tubs, I don't know. I only have a glass tank at the moment. I switched to Eco Earth and Cyprus Mulch and have been more or less satisfied with it. Heat transfers through it well, the eco earth holds moisture very well. I mist 2-3x a day and humidity is always between 55-85%.
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