Humidity problems

Hey guys I was wondering if y'all could help me. I have a 55 gallon tank that I keep my lesser platinum ball python. I've only had her 3 days, but I posted on here a couple weeks ago with temp problems and got a lot of feedback. Now I'm having a humidity problem, it keeps dropping down to around 40%. I have duc-taped tin foil to the screen lids except for where I have my ches and light. I have a x- larger water bowl in the middle of the enclosure so it can get in and hydrate when it wants to. I can heavily mist the tank and the humidity will come up to 45-50%, then it will drop back down. If anybody can help me it would be greatly appreciated.

What substrate are you using in your tank? If it's a dry substrate like aspen or hemp, then obviously the humidity will stay pretty low. Try changing your substrate to something like orchid bark, cypress mulch, cocofiber, or anything that can hold humidity. If that doesn't work, try the old trick of getting a damp cloth and balling it up, then putting it in the corner of your tank.

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I'm using zoo med repti bark as the substrate. I have a 55 gallon so it's pretty big, do I need to put a washcloth on both sides or just one?

Where is your hygrometer located (in respect to where you have your heating equipment located) and are you certain that your hygrometer is accurate?

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Originally Posted by Jmoney65985

I'm using zoo med repti bark as the substrate. I have a 55 gallon so it's pretty big, do I need to put a washcloth on both sides or just one?

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Substrate's good, for the cloth, just put it in two opposing corners of the tank. If that doesn't work, then just increase misting or get a mister.

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Originally Posted by savora

Where is your hygrometer located (in respect to where you have your heating equipment located) and are you certain that your hygrometer is accurate?

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I have one on each end of my tank, slightly of center from my ches. as far as accuracy with them go I'm not to certain I'm using 2 stick on hydrometers at the moment, but I have 2 digital hydrometers that I jut have to go get batteries for when I get off work tomorrow.


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We are actual using a large aquarium as well and I had the same problem. I take an old towel fold it up and cover as much of the screen as I can. Then I just pour a cup of water down the towel I do that once a day and all is good.

Are you using a ceramic heat lamp by any chance ?


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Are you using a ceramic heat lamp by any chance ?


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Yes I'm using 2 ches one on my hot side and one on my cold side to keep the ambient temp up.


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Originally Posted by Jmoney65985

Yes I'm using 2 ches one on my hot side and one on my cold side to keep the ambient temp up.


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Well apart from what you've already done ( foil taped to cover ) I guess all that's left is to spray the viv well each day ( morning and evening ) maybe more on the cool side ...

Is the ceramic on the cool side a MUST or could it be removed or even have a lower strength bulb

I have quite a few setups with ceramics and they are a nightmare for keeping the humidity levels up sadly .


Maybe an extra water bowl or one larger bowl ??



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Well apart from what you've already done ( foil taped to cover ) I guess all that's left is to spray the viv well each day ( morning and evening ) maybe more on the cool side ...

Is the ceramic on the cool side a MUST or could it be removed or even have a lower strength bulb

I have quite a few setups with ceramics and they are a nightmare for keeping the humidity levels up sadly .


Maybe an extra water bowl or one larger bowl ??



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Thank you, and yes i have to use it on the cool side because The temp wouldn't go above 75 degrees on that side of the enclosure. When misting how wet should I get the substrate and decorations without having to worry about scale rot and other stuff. I'm new to ball pythons and reptiles in general and I just want to make sure that I'm doing everything I can to provide the best home for her as I can.


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I also have a 55 gallon set up and have been battling the humidity nightmare. I have been the most successful by using damp sphagnum moss placed in “out of the way places” in her environment. I also have set up a humid hide within the tank.


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Could switch to a lock lid tub setup. plenty of videos explaining why tubs are superior to tanks for ball pythons. than upgrade to a pvc cage if you want the enclosure to look good for display. could then use the tank for a low humidity desert reptile. thats just what i would do.

I use substrate has humidity pockets for burrowing in my glass vivs, because it's glass, the surface water evaporates faster preventin scale rot. They always hit a humidity pocket with my substrate, and plexiglass is on top for ambient humidity (and aesthetics), and my plants generate a bit, as well in addition to a water dish. There is a general humidity gradient, but it stays at 61%. A few pump from my mister, and it shoots to 70%.

Please remove the stick on gauges. I have t seen anyone else call that out. Your snake baby get crawl on them, get stuck, and well...just please take them out. Nothing stick on goes inside of an enclosure.

I started with a big tank, so here's what I find works the best (i still use 1-3 in my AP cage which is heated with CHE's) :
1. Cypress mulch bedding
2. Damp sphagnum moss in a shallow dish (to prevent the bedding from being wet 24/7) - place one in each corner of the tank
3. A Terra-cotta pot hide - this itself can be soaked for an hour every few days to release humidity, and also makes a great moist hide when layered with moist sphagnum moss. (I turn them upside down and set in the "drip" pan and drill a big hole in the bottom for the snake - pics in my gallery)
4. covering the majority of the lid with foil
5. misting after opening the lid and letting the humidity out so it does not swing wildly
6. When I still had the tank, in the winter I would soak a dish towel in warm water and put that over the screen lid (under the foil and not closer than an inch to the CHE's) to also help.
7. A large water bowl one the hit side can also help