Basking side, not humid... Help!

[catzeye21138]

I'm setting up my tank for my ball python, and my basking side has the right temperature but the humidity is only at 20%. The cooler side is at 53% humidity and right temperature. It is a glass tank enclosure that measures 30x13x13. The top is wood and metal mesh, which I covered 3/4 of with aluminum foil, and put a heating lamp on the basking spot. I plan on putting a blanket on top of the cool side to keep it more insulated and see if I can't raise the temperature that way first.

But how do I raise the humidity? I use newspapers because they are cost efficient, but when I spritz them it makes it look like he peed everywhere because it gets all wrinkly, and it just evaporates too quickly.

What should I do? Add another layer of tin foil? Any suggestions? Many thanks!

Lindsey

[starmom]

You could change your substrate to aspen or cypress and also add some damp sphagnum moss, in a bowl, and under the heat lamp

[catzeye21138]

Is there a place online where I could order some sphagnum moss? How often do you have to change it out?

[starmom]

I get mine from here: http://www.tropicalplantproducts.com...2&selection=4; it's the long fiber chilean moss. I keep it in a bowl in the cage and only change it out when it looks like it needs it. You'll be able to tell if you get this stuff. It also smells really really good!!

[catzeye21138]

Thanks so much for your help!

[Darkice]

First things first. Do you live in a house or apartment? If its a house and you have a humidifier attached to your furnace you cabn turn it up a bit for the entire house.

Cover 3/4 of the lid with press and seal plastic wrap (Grocery Store)
If you use newspaper you have to mist a few times a day. If you use cypress mulch you can dump a little water on it and it will stay moist for a few days.
Add a huge water bowl and put it close to the underfloor heating.
To keep the humidity up in my basement i bought a baby pool for 29 dollars at wallmart and stuck it in a corner. I top it off every couple of weeks. A powerhead and some freshwater plants keeps the water pretty clean.
This also keeps up the humidity in my whole house.

[catzeye21138]

Those are some great ideas, thank you Darkice!
Very creative with the kiddy pool idea!

[hawaiianice99]

another way to help with your humidiy levels is instead of aluminum on top use a wet/damp towel on top.

[rabernet]

another way to help with your humidiy levels is instead of aluminum on top use a wet/damp towel on top.

Not really recommended, since that tends to breed mold and bacteria which isn't good.

Unfortunately, the tradeoff for a basking lamp is low humidity. If at all possible, use a UTH on that side, rather than a lamp to help keep the humidity up - as well as the other ideas that were suggested.

I was so happy when I got rid of lamps for good!

[skaplan86]

Unfortunately, the tradeoff for a basking lamp is low humidity.

I think raber hit it on the head. A heat lamp (especially as a primary source of heat) is going to just zap humidity. I use a glass cage, with the screen 75-90% covered. I have it so I can fold the foil back if i need to, this allows me to make minor adjustments to keep my humidity right around 48-50% without moss or misting the newspaper. For heat use a UTH on a thermostat or at the least a dimmer. I have had good luck with ExoTerra or you could even probably get away with flexwatt from RBI.

Doing this will not zap your humidity and will provide belly heat, which snakes will like.