Humidity:Should the substrate be wet?

[mistergreen]

Hello,
I have a tank set up, PVC 4x2x2. I'm using coconut chips that came in a brick so I soaked it in water to both break it up and expand it, and this seems to have set the humidity as well. I put enough chips in to cover the bottom. I'm using an RHP on the warm side. Ambient temp is 82 (all fahrenheit) Warm side is 95, cool sides 82. I'm measuring with a laser pointer. RHP is controlled by a thermostat. I have that set to 82 with the probe the cool side. I have a hygrometer in the middle of the cage and the humidity stays above 60% and hasn't gone over 70%.
Been steady for a solid week. (No snake yet) But I'mjust wondering if the substrate/chips should be moist or if the overall humidity in the cage is what's necessary.
Thanks ahead of time.

[Bogertophis]

You want substrate just damp enough to make the overall humidity in the right range, but not "wet", and 95* F is 5* too HOT.

[mistergreen]

You want substrate just damp enough to make the overall humidity in the right range, but not "wet", and 95* F is 5* too HOT.

Okay, I'll notch it down to 90.