Substrate/Humidity Issues (Glass Tank) (99%) - New BP Owner

Everything I've heard or read about glass tanks for bp's is that they suck at maintaining temps and humidity, but I seem to be having issues with too much humidity lol.


I'm trying to get my setup ready for my 1.0 baby spinner bp. He's going to be in a 10 gallon tank for now, I'll upgrade as he grows. I'm using a Microclimate 13W heat mat, hooked to a Microclimate Evo Lite Thermostat, and I also use a digital hygro/thermometer. Warm side/hot spot is set to 33C, the cool side is around 26C, so my temperatures should be on point, I'm only having issues with the humidity using cypress mulch. I have the thermometer probe on the cool side, hanging between the glass and the cool hide, close to the substrate (roughly 2 cm of substrate; Zoo Med Forest Floor). It was the only place where I could get it partially hidden and out of his way as well so he doesn't get tangled with it or anything like that.


In an empty enclosure (no bedding, no water bowl, no hides, etc) the humidity went from 62% to 66% (EDIT: yesterday, when it was humid, the humidity of the empty tank right now w/o substrate is at 50%) according to my hygro/themormeter. When I put the substrate and water bowl in along with the hides and turned on the UTH/heat mat and t-stat, humidity went up to 99%. At first I thought the L size water bowl was upping the humidity, so I removed it from the enclosure to see if it made any difference, it dropped to around 80% for a moment but climbed back up to 99%.


The tank is currently situated on the floor but it will be placed on top of a shelf unit, so it's not going to stay on the floor, I'm wondering if this might have an effect on the air flow and being on the floor makes it more humid inside the tank?


The tank has a glass top with a metal grate/metal mesh on the middle, providing ventilation (when I first saw the tank I thought I'd have to cover half of the top with foil to /prevent/ loss of humidity and temps but I guess I don't lmao).


It's currently unusually humid where I live (like 87%) because it has been raining and thundering for a couple of days, I'm wondering how much the high humidity outside is affecting the humidity in my apartment and inside the tank?


As of right now, I'm thinking it may have something to do with insufficient air flow, and the humidity might drop after I put the tank on an elevated surface?
Or then my thermometer probe placement is off and giving me false readings? Or it's simply due to the weather.


I know 50 to 60% is recommended, but I would be happy to get the humidity down from 99% to even 70% or 80% since bp's (especially babys) are known to be healthy even in slightly higher humidity, considering 70% and 80% is more realistic and closer to the actual humidity found in their habitats in the wild, and higher humidity ensures a successful/healthy shed as well. I've read they favor termite mounds in the wild where humidity is also closer to 90%.

My tank isn't wet or fogged up, Forest Floor is retaining moisture just a bit at the bottom of the tank; but there's no condensed glass or wet (just damp/slightly moist) substrate. I am replacing the water dish regardless and going for a M size instead of L, though I don't think it was the water bowl causing the humidity since the hygro/thermometer still showed 99% humidity after I took it out.


I'm concerned about RI, I don't want to introduce my baby to an enclosure that could potentially make him sick, and I don't want to bring him home until my setup's correct.


If anyone has any advice or insight, I'd love to hear you out. Is there anything I can do, other than change to a drier substrate (newspaper, paper towels)? Thanks.


NOTE: This was also posted last night at the ball python subreddit. I was told to dry out the cypress mulch, which I'm currently doing, however I'm going to switch substrates and ditch the Forest Floor since it seems to retain too much humidity in my case. I'm considering two other options, Reptibark and Exo Terra Forest Bark. I don't want to use Aspen because I don't like how it looks visually/aesthetically, and I also don't like the texture of it. Which of those two would be more optimal for a baby bp? I'm looking to get the humidity around 60% to 75%. Some bp owners seem to think there is no thing as too much or too high humidity, as long as the snake is not being housed in a wet/fogged up/condensed enclosure. Again, my tank was not wet with the cypress mulch, it only felt slightly damp to the touch, but then I was informed it could still lead to scale rot if the snake is consistently laying upon even slightly moist substrate. Being a novice, and with so many different opinions (and options), I'm not really sure how I should proceed, but right now I would like to hear more experienced people's opinions on what substrate I should use instead of Forest Floor/cypress mulch. Exo Terra Coco Husk was also recommended, I could get it online and it seems like a good choice, but to my knowledge it comes in bricks that you need to soak and let dry before use, and that seems too complicated for a first time snake owner.

I just want a substrate that is functional and doesn't up the humidity too much. I'd like the humidity to be around 65% - 70% at all times inside the enclosure. I just don't feel comfortable putting my baby in a tank with 99% humidity even if the tank isn't wet or condensed and supposedly wouldn't cause any problems.

Pics would be great so we can see placement. Usually the probe is just for temps and the humidity is gauged from the gauge itself. Upload some pics if you can.

I took the cypress mulch and hides out of the tank so it's empty again, the UTH is also turned off, but this is what my current setup looks like.

The thermometer probe was placed between the cool side hide and the glass, almost touching the bottom of the tank, just dangling from the corner, and the gauge was kept outside, on top of the tank.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2FJfNRbFv.png

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2FW8y0XQa.png

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2FmZZrFXy.png

I'm going to go pick up a different substrate (probably Reptibark) later today and test the temps and humidity again tonight since I'm pretty sure the substrate was the problem.

I use Forest Floor and love it. I've used it for years. If you don't need it moist put it in a tub and let it sit out for a few days. But adding it to the cage and letting it dry out there should not present any issues.

Glass tanks usually do suck at holding humidity but that is because of the large screen top. Not having one you are holding more humidity.

To drop the humidity a bit you can add a oscillating fan on the other side of the room from the tank. I have to use one in my snake room too.

While the humidity is high right now where you live, it will affect the humidity inside the enclosure. A fan in the room will help, but as the humidity drops in your area the humidity in the enclosure should as well.

How does the top stay secured? It's tough to tell in the pics. Just want to make sure your new snake can't escape.

Outdoor humidity is 52% right now, compared to the 87% it's been for the past few days due to heavy rain and thunder. I live in a country where the humidity ranges a lot indoors because it fluctuates so much outdoors. During the summers, the humidity outside can be anywhere between 50% to almost 90%. The humidity in my apartment at the moment is at 41%. I think with a drier substrate + smaller water dish it'll balance out inside the tank.

You can slide the top to either left or right, it's not really secured to the tank in any way, you just lift the glass panel off (the metal grate is attached to the top). I think it's pretty heavy for a baby snake to be able to push it off because you have to slide it open first before you're able to lift it.

Well, if you are hitting 50-60% without substrate like mulch then why have it? Just for aesthetics?

If so, just expect they to be a high humidity bump when fresh is added. If it is consistently high after a couple days then the fan suggestion will help. The suggestion of pre-drying the substrate should work too.

Reptibark was sold out, I'm using a mix of Komodo Coconut Terrain and Exo Terra Jungle Earth. The cypress mulch is still drying out on my balcony, if the mixed substrates make the tank too dry, I'll just go back to the pre-dried Forest Floor, and hopefully that'll fix my humidity issues. I'd hate to go from extremely humid tank to extremely dry tank lol.

I put the size L water dish back in now that the substrate's a lot drier. So far, humidity's at 50% and still climbing, so I'm hopeful.

Thanks to everyone so far for comments and advice.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2Futv0bIi.png

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Originally Posted by iddah

Outdoor humidity is 52% right now, compared to the 87% it's been for the past few days due to heavy rain and thunder. I live in a country where the humidity ranges a lot indoors because it fluctuates so much outdoors. During the summers, the humidity outside can be anywhere between 50% to almost 90%. The humidity in my apartment at the moment is at 41%. I think with a drier substrate + smaller water dish it'll balance out inside the tank.

You can slide the top to either left or right, it's not really secured to the tank in any way, you just lift the glass panel off (the metal grate is attached to the top). I think it's pretty heavy for a baby snake to be able to push it off because you have to slide it open first before you're able to lift it.

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Ok, sounds like you may just need to do some trial and error with the humidity and make some seasonal adjustments.

As for the lid to the enclosure, you'd be surprised how good snakes are as escape artists. If they can find a way out, they will. If there head fits, they can fit. Just want to give you the heads up and hope to avoid another lost snake thread.

After the substrate change, the tank seems to be holding humidity at 70% - 75%, so I think I'm in the clear.

As for the lid, I think I might just place some lightweight books on either side of the glass on the top so he won't be able to slide it off if he goes exploring when I'm not at home. I live in a studio apartment and there's nowhere he could really go even if he managed to escape, as in he can't leave my apartment through a hole in the floor or anything like that, the only places he might go under is my bed or my TV stand. I'll take precautions if I have to to prevent any break-outs, but for now I think we'll be good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iddah

After the substrate change, the tank seems to be holding humidity at 70% - 75%, so I think I'm in the clear.

As for the lid, I think I might just place some lightweight books on either side of the glass on the top so he won't be able to slide it off if he goes exploring when I'm not at home. I live in a studio apartment and there's nowhere he could really go even if he managed to escape, as in he can't leave my apartment through a hole in the floor or anything like that, the only places he might go under is my bed or my TV stand. I'll take precautions if I have to to prevent any break-outs, but for now I think we'll be good.

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Sounds good, just trying to give friendly suggestions :D
Even secured within a studio apartment they can get into plenty of trouble. They can find their way into stoves/ovens, washer/dryers, dishwashers, fridge motors, etc...
Anyway, just looking to help you and your snake. We see plenty of "help! my snake escaped!!!" threads on this forum, so if my two cents helps a new keeper prevent that then I am happy to help the keeper and the animal.

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Originally Posted by KMG

To drop the humidity a bit you can add a oscillating fan on the other side of the room from the tank. I have to use one in my snake room too.

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Yup, that's how I've been able to keep humidity under control. I learned that trick here as well. :D

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Sounds good, just trying to give friendly suggestions :D
Even secured within a studio apartment they can get into plenty of trouble. They can find their way into stoves/ovens, washer/dryers, dishwashers, fridge motors, etc...
Anyway, just looking to help you and your snake. We see plenty of "help! my snake escaped!!!" threads on this forum, so if my two cents helps a new keeper prevent that then I am happy to help the keeper and the animal.

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No problem, I appreciate the heads-up. When I leave my apartment, I think I'll just put a weight on top of the lid just to be sure, then. I don't want him to escape and injure himself or worse if he gets himself stuck inside something he shouldn't lol. Thanks.

Yeah. Saw a thread over on reddit a few days ago about someone's corn snake getting into the mechanics of their office chair and getting crushed. Missing, until the inevitable smelly results.

Absolutely tragic, its one of the worst ways to lose a pet.

Yeah, they're super strong and they love to just open their lids. You'll want a weight for both ends of the top of your screen

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Originally Posted by donnadudette2003

Yeah, they're super strong and they love to just open their lids. You'll want a weight for both ends of the top of your screen

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk

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I'm going to place a book to either side of the lid when I leave the house, that way I won't block his ventilation and he's not able to leave the enclosure.

I'll also have to see if there's any way I could get locks attached to the lid on both sides.

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Originally Posted by hollowlaughter

Yeah. Saw a thread over on reddit a few days ago about someone's corn snake getting into the mechanics of their office chair and getting crushed. Missing, until the inevitable smelly results.

Absolutely tragic, its one of the worst ways to lose a pet.

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I actually had a similar thing happen a while back!!
My juvenile corn was hanging out with me and worked his way into the mechanics of my computer chair, jus far enough that I wasn't able to pull him out. He was probably only 3 inches in or so, but was able to find something to hold onto and I wasn't risking pulling him. So I just let him do his thing, hoping he would come out. Nope! I tried to lure him out with food. No dice! After pulling the legs off the chair I wrapped it in bedsheets in case he came out over night. Still nothing! I ended up VERY carefully and meticulously pulling the chair apart and destroying the chair. Once I was able to get to the snake, he just looked at me as if to say "what!? I was comfortable and just chilling. Can you put the chair back together please?"

Luckily it worked out for the snake, the chair however ended up destroyed in dozens of pieces.

I'm glad I don't have any office chairs, lol.

I'm getting him tomorrow (Wednesday), I have a tattoo appointment the day after, which means I'll be gone for at least a couple of hours. Putting weights on both ends of the lid should prevent him from escaping though I doubt he'll be out of his hides much during the first few days while he's still de-stressing and getting used to his new enclosure and environment.

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Originally Posted by iddah

I'm glad I don't have any office chairs, lol.

I'm getting him tomorrow (Wednesday), I have a tattoo appointment the day after, which means I'll be gone for at least a couple of hours. Putting weights on both ends of the lid should prevent him from escaping though I doubt he'll be out of his hides much during the first few days while he's still de-stressing and getting used to his new enclosure and environment.

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Sounds good. I think you'll be fine. The enclosure looks great by the way!!

My only suggestion is that due to the size of the hides you may need to add some crumpled up paper towels or some other sort of clutter inside the hides for added security. BPs like nice, tight hides. So while your BP is still small he my need added security while he grows into those hides.

You're in good shape though! Nice job!

P.S. I am jonesing for ink!!! So I'm hella jealous that you're getting inked!! Hahahaha!! I'm actually working on a few snake skin tattoo ideas. :D

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Sounds good. I think you'll be fine. The enclosure looks great by the way!!

My only suggestion is that due to the size of the hides you may need to add some crumpled up paper towels or some other sort of clutter inside the hides for added security. BPs like nice, tight hides. So while your BP is still small he my need added security while he grows into those hides.

You're in good shape though! Nice job!

P.S. I am jonesing for ink!!! So I'm hella jealous that you're getting inked!! Hahahaha!! I'm actually working on a few snake skin tattoo ideas. :D

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Thanks!!! Yeah, I read they like to feel "tight" and enclosed in their hides, from the sides and above, I literally /just/ got these two black XS hide boxes in the mail earlier today, should I switch them out? The light green RepTech hides placed in the tank rn are medium size.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2FjFFwu8u.png

My baby might feel more secure/snug in those?

Lol this is going to be my 3rd tattoo, I became so obsessed after I got my first one, so I'm excited to get this ink done. Still looking forward to also getting a snake tattoo on my neck/behind my ear, and both my forearms.

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Originally Posted by iddah

Thanks!!! Yeah, I read they like to feel "tight" and enclosed in their hides, from the sides and above, I literally /just/ got these two black XS hide boxes in the mail earlier today, should I switch them out? The light green RepTech hides placed in the tank rn are medium size.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2FjFFwu8u.png

My baby might feel more secure/snug in those?

Lol this is going to be my 3rd tattoo, I became so obsessed after I got my first one, so I'm excited to get this ink done. Still looking forward to also getting a snake tattoo on my neck/behind my ear, and both my forearms.

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Those hides will probably be perfect. I'm not all that familiar with those particular hides, but believe the new ones will be perfect.

I've got 18 or 19 tattoos now, hahahaha, would have more if I wasn't a moron with my spending for so many years, hahhahaha.
I'm working on snake skin tattoos that will appear to be under my skin. I've seen the tattoos that look like bio-mechanical inner workings under the skin, as well as the muscle and tissue, etc... under the skin. I want to have snake skin under my skin. I'm thinking a BP on one forearm/wrist/hand and California Kingsnake on the other side.
Now that I've fallen in love with hognose, might have to factor that in somewhere too :D. Maybe my inner bicep where I still have some blank skin:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Those hides will probably be perfect. I'm not all that familiar with those particular hides, but believe the new ones will be perfect.

I've got 18 or 19 tattoos now, hahahaha, would have more if I wasn't a moron with my spending for so many years, hahhahaha.
I'm working on snake skin tattoos that will appear to be under my skin. I've seen the tattoos that look like bio-mechanical inner workings under the skin, as well as the muscle and tissue, etc... under the skin. I want to have snake skin under my skin. I'm thinking a BP on one forearm/wrist/hand and California Kingsnake on the other side.
Now that I've fallen in love with hognose, might have to factor that in somewhere too :D. Maybe my inner bicep where I still have some blank skin:rolleyes:

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I hope the XS won't be too snug, I would have gotten them in small size but they were all out, and I also wish I'd gotten the RepTech ones in black intead of green. Aesthetics lol. I'm really just aiming for a functional setup with husbandry on point, I'm sooo relieved the humidity issue went away after changing substrates. I'm still gonna dry out the cypress mulch and put in in a storage box, at least I won't run out of substrate right away, altho rn I'm loving the Coco Terrain/Jungle Earth combo. If XS is too tight for my boy, I'll just crumple up a few paper towels and put them inside each hide, thanks so much for that tip.

Omg you're way ahead of me in ink, I have to catch up lol. I'm getting some ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs done on my inner forearm, the one after that will be the snake tattoo on my neck, I just figured since my financial situation actually allows me to get tattoos done now, I should go ahead and do it while I can lol. That idea is so cool though, that ink would look sick. I want at least two snake tattoos (one on my neck/behind ear, one on my wrist), I've always loved snakes even long before I was able to buy one, I've been wanting a bp for the past 3 years, so hyped and excited to /finally/ pick him up from the breeder tmrw, she only lives like 10 minutes from where I live.

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Originally Posted by iddah

I hope the XS won't be too snug, I would have gotten them in small size but they were all out, and I also wish I'd gotten the RepTech ones in black intead of green. Aesthetics lol. I'm really just aiming for a functional setup with husbandry on point, I'm sooo relieved the humidity issue went away after changing substrates. I'm still gonna dry out the cypress mulch and put in in a storage box, at least I won't run out of substrate right away, altho rn I'm loving the Coco Terrain/Jungle Earth combo. If XS is too tight for my boy, I'll just crumple up a few paper towels and put them inside each hide, thanks so much for that tip.

Omg you're way ahead of me in ink, I have to catch up lol. I'm getting some ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs done on my inner forearm, the one after that will be the snake tattoo on my neck, I just figured since my financial situation actually allows me to get tattoos done now, I should go ahead and do it while I can lol. That idea is so cool though, that ink would look sick. I want at least two snake tattoos (one on my neck/behind ear, one on my wrist), I've always loved snakes even long before I was able to buy one, I've been wanting a bp for the past 3 years, so hyped and excited to /finally/ pick him up from the breeder tmrw, she only lives like 10 minutes from where I live.

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Yeah, I think either way you'll be fine with the hides. And I'm glad you're ahead of the game with functionality being more important than visual appeal. Learning the husbandry ins and outs takes time and experience. Once you feel confident in your knowledge and experience you can start playing with things that are more impressive to the eye. Snakes tend to be a bit more forgiving with not going "by the book" as adults than with juveniles. So as your snake grows, you continue to learn. By the time your snake is an adult and more confident and comfortable and less fearful of being a prey item, you'll have the knowledge and experience to modify the enclosure a bit.

I like that substrate combo as well. I use the same combo with good results.

GGGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!! Now I want ink even more, hahahahaha!!!!

Good luck with your new snake!! Share some pics when you first get him home before you let him settle in for at least a week.
We're here for any more questions you may have :gj:

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Yeah, I think either way you'll be fine with the hides. And I'm glad you're ahead of the game with functionality being more important than visual appeal. Learning the husbandry ins and outs takes time and experience. Once you feel confident in your knowledge and experience you can start playing with things that are more impressive to the eye. Snakes tend to be a bit more forgiving with not going "by the book" as adults than with juveniles. So as your snake grows, you continue to learn. By the time your snake is an adult and more confident and comfortable and less fearful of being a prey item, you'll have the knowledge and experience to modify the enclosure a bit.

I like that substrate combo as well. I use the same combo with good results.

GGGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!! Now I want ink even more, hahahahaha!!!!

Good luck with your new snake!! Share some pics when you first get him home before you let him settle in for at least a week.
We're here for any more questions you may have :gj:

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Right now, I have a basic but functional tank, at least imo, and I'm happy with my setup, especially now that my humidity is consistently at 67%, at least I won't have to worry about added humidity during his sheds with the humidity being closer to 70% all the time.

Thank you so much to everyone for all your thoughts, opinions, and advice, this forum has been so invaluable and so helpful already lol.

I'll post some pics tomorrow when I get him, then I'm gonna let my baby chill and get used to his new tank.

You could put one small one medium and see what he likes :)

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The XS hides ended up being too small for him, he's using the M size plastic hides, w/ crumpled up paper towels inside for added "tightness." He went to his cold hide already, so I guess he approves of his hides. Temps and humidity in his tank are still stable and holding, because of the high humidity outside his humidity went up to 77% but I'm not gonna worry since now I know it'll come down during the hotter days, indoor temps fluctuate so much in this country because the weather is what it is, changing into drier substrate was a rly good decision.