Still having issues...

I've had my BP for over three weeks now.

Since I first bought him, I've made changes to his terrarium based on the suggestions I have received along with the information I have read on the internet. I have had no problems with feeding him; there has not been a feeding day yet where he has not eaten. Less than a week ago, I witnessed him shed for the first time. Unfortunately though, it was a bad shed and remnants are still falling off of him.

Now, obviously his shedding issues are attributed to the humidity, something I have yet to be able to control despite my attempts.

I have been using a 70 watt heat lamp set on top of his terrarium and I just bought a heating pad tonight. The heating pad has gradually increased the heat within his tank, which is a good thing considering I hadn't been able to get the temperature up past 78. Along with the heating pad, I also bought moss to help with the humidity, however, as it stands right now the humidity remains at 38%. Below, I have provided a picture of my setup (you cannot see it, but I also use a rheostat to control the temperature of the heating pad; should I do the same with the heat lamp?).

Current temperature: 83.3 (I assume the heating pad takes awhile to heat up considering the type of substrate?)
Current humidity: 38%

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/9281/dscf0135h.jpg

I could really use your guys' input here, which would be greatly appreciated. And yes, I'm aware that there is only one hide.

Cover part of that top with wet towels. I would take that heat lamp off, unless you need it (and it sounds like you do). So, put a dimmer switch on it, then connect it to your rheostat. You will be amazed at what wet towels can do. Where are you measuring your temps from (where is your probe at). You can also try to remove the lamp and cover 3/4 with aluminum foil. That will keep your heat in. I'll get a pic of mine to show you.

Well besides theres only one hide i will recommend you to get another hide besides a half log....And just to remember you low humidity may cause not only a bad shed but also a dent in your snakes eye....


well first of all heat lamps are humidity sucking machines try sticking to the heat pad if you can provide the right temps....also try to cover the screen top with aluminum foil so more humidity can be kept inside...

I'm using an AcuRite digital thermometer. The probe is in the left corner behind his hide. I tried placing it in the area that the heating pad is at. I moved the heat lamp over and the temperature went down by a degree or so and is now at 82.2, so needless to say, this is a little bit frustrating.

Do heating pads normally take awhile to get to a high temperature? I have the rheostat adjusted to "high" right now and it doesn't seem like it's doing too much.

Yeah, they can. I plugged mine in the night before I got my snakes.

Thank you both for the tips, I really appreciate you guys taking the time to help me out.

I covered the top with aluminum foil so hopefully that will help with the humidity. And with hope, the heat pad will increase the temperature so I won't have to use the heat lamp in the future.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rynpckrd

Thank you both for the tips, I really appreciate you guys taking the time to help me out.

I covered the top with aluminum foil so hopefully that will help with the humidity. And with hope, the heat pad will increase the temperature so I won't have to use the heat lamp in the future.

---

That's what we are here for :D Try the towel too. I covered the back half of my top with aluminum foil, and put a damp towel over the front half. Then I can fold it back depending on how much air flow i need. I have a 55 gal too, humidity is a stinker with that. You can also take a glass, put 1/4 cup of water in it, and hang some strips of paper towels. It will help a lot. But you will have to pin it against the wall to keep your bp from knocking it over. And change it once a week so it doesn't get moldy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stratus_020202

That's what we are here for :D Try the towel too. I covered the back half of my top with aluminum foil, and put a damp towel over the front half. Then I can fold it back depending on how much air flow i need. I have a 55 gal too, humidity is a stinker with that. You can also take a glass, put 1/4 cup of water in it, and hang some strips of paper towels. It will help a lot. But you will have to pin it against the wall to keep your bp from knocking it over. And change it once a week so it doesn't get moldy.

---

Awesome, I'll definitely be sure to apply a towel.

I'm impatient though, so I want the temperature and humidity to be high NOW, haha. Is Repti-Bark known for being a substrate that is difficult for heating pads to generate heat through?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rynpckrd

I'm using an AcuRite digital thermometer. The probe is in the left corner behind his hide. I tried placing it in the area that the heating pad is at. I moved the heat lamp over and the temperature went down by a degree or so and is now at 82.2, so needless to say, this is a little bit frustrating.

Do heating pads normally take awhile to get to a high temperature? I have the rheostat adjusted to "high" right now and it doesn't seem like it's doing too much.

---

The accurite needs to be IN the enclosure. It reads the humidity from the base unit not the probe.

Apply foil to some of the outside screen of the top. It's more efficient, permanent, and less bacteria friendly then wet towels.

Get rid of the heat lamp all together.. or at least put it above the water bowl to assist humidity. Make sure your thermometer probe is underneath the substrate above the UTH.

Get rid of the log hide and get two smaller tight hides.

Good luck!

P.S. You can put the moss in little bowls of water to up the humidity. ;)

Ok, here's what you need to do:

1 - cover the back and both sides with some sort of background (for looks) then with foam insulation board. Glass does NOT hold heat on its own and needs help. This will keep the heat IN the tank. :)

2 - wet towels breed bacteria. For the screen top, treat with foil or plexiglass for optimum heat and humidity retention. I have a picture tutorial up in the caging forum on foil treating a screen top.

3 - change substrate to aspen. That Reptibark stuff molds and isn't too comfortable for the snake. :)

4 - you already know it, but you need two identical hides that are all-surrounding with one opening. Plastic plant pots and plastic bowls from Dollar Stores are great and cheap. :D

5 - you might want to add more plants or decor of some type to make the snake feel more secure.

These are all suggestions, of course, but they should help a lot in stabilizing your tank.

Here's an update:

After putting the probe under the substrate, the heat spiked. It is now 96.4, so I'm quite pleased. Also, I placed the AcuRite thermometer in the terrarium and the humidity went up to 58%.

I'm so happy, haha.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rynpckrd

Here's an update:

After putting the probe under the substrate, the heat spiked. It is now 96.4, so I'm quite pleased. Also, I placed the AcuRite thermometer in the terrarium and the humidity went up to 58%.

I'm so happy, haha.

---

:gj:

Since posting that everything had finally leveled out, I figured I'd update.

Atticus seems to be much more active since the temperatures actually started to get to where they should have been all along and it's definitely a relief to see him using BOTH hides and not just one. That had been an initial fear of mine that he wouldn't be interested in having a second place to hide, but he has definitely made use of them in order to regulate his own temperature.

Needless to say, I will definitely use this experience as a reminder that in the future, I should set everything up BEFORE I get the snake rather than consistently on the spot.