Help! Humidity issues

[ConWolf416]

Okay. I need some help. So I got my ball python a few weeks ago and did a lot of research on their needs and what to put in their tanks. I have a 20 long glass terrarium with a sliding screen top. Inside I have a large water bowl, a small branch, a half log hide on the warm side and a little cave hide on the cool side. I also have two fake plants and a backdrop to make him feel safe and at home. I'm using coconut fiber dirt as substrate and just yesterday bought sphagnum moss and have it in the tank as well. On the exterior of the tank I have a 75 watt infrared bulb (on the side not with the water bowl) and on the same side I have a small heating pad on the underside of the tank. The overall temp of the tank varies between 80 and 85 F.
My issue is humidity. I'm gonna take you through my experience so far.
I was misting the tank until it got between 50 and 60 on the humidity gauge in the morning and leaving for the day, for work or other things. When I would come back the humidity would be down to thirty. So I would spray again. It always went down to thirty. Eventually I watched it and tested, and within about an hour it goes down to 30! That means my poor baby barely ever has the proper humidity!
So I looked up ways to increase humidity, I have the right kind of substrate for it, good. The screen top was brought to my attention. I tried using a damp towel, I have tried plexiglas, it makes no difference. I am now going to try foil cause it may cover more and get a better seal.
Still having no luck with humidity I went to the reptile store near me (LLLReptiles) and asked about a timed automatic mister. I was told this was not good for snakes.
My last resort, yesterday I went and picked up the sphagnum moss. As the instructions said I soaked it in water for a while, squeezed out the excess, the decorated various parts of the tank with it. Then I sprayed the tank and the humidity went up to 70. I had hope! But I woke up this morning and the humidity is down to 30 again! I touched the moss and it COMPLETELY dried out overnight! I'm very upset about that.
Now, getting to what I think the problem is.
I've noticed something. So my infrared heat lamp sits on the screen, the screen slides off, so when I want to take Charlie (my ball python) out I have to turn the lamp off and set it on an oven mitt thing. I leave the screen off while I have him out and therefore leave the lamp off.
When I go to put him back the humidity is always up to 50.
So my infra red heat lamp is the issue (I think). It's completely drying up everything in the tank, sucking the moisture and humidity out. It's also drying out the moss.
SO my problem is I have no clue what to do.
I can't not have a heat lamp. I tried only using a heating pad and it didn't heat up the cage AT ALL. So I need a heat lamp to keep the cage warm. I'm using a 75 watt and the cage barely stays between 80 and 85, so I can't get a bulb with smaller wattage (I don't think).
Also, I can't have a heat lamp that emits normal light as the terrarium is on my dresser and I wouldn't be able to sleep with a normal light on.
So what are my options then? Is there any other kind of lamp I can use that doesn't create a lot of light? (Assuming my lamp is sucking out moisture because its infrared, let me know if that's not the issue).
Or are there any other special tricks to making a tank more humid?
Sorry for such a long post but i'm super stressed out about the humidity and i'm worried about Charlie being happy and healthy. I've never had a reptile before so i'm completely new to all of these issues.
Thank you so much if you have any advice! I'm open to ANY and ALL options.
-Connor

[BPGator]

Is your humidity gage located under the light? Also, you can check out a CHE (ceramic heating element); it gives off no light and lasts longer than a bulb.


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[ConWolf416]

BPGator, No, the humidity gauge is located in the middle of the tank with the the thermometer, not under the light. Also, if you're talking about a ceramic rock I've heard they're bad because they can overheat and burn the snake, so I don't want to get one of those. But if your talking about a ceramic heat lamp let me know, I haven't seen those and don't know anything about them.

[JodanOrNoDan]

Fish tank + screen top + heat lamp == Problems

Let me help you help yourself.

Caresheet

Setups read the stickies

Once you go through that we can help you with specific questions.

FYI. A tank setup is possible but can be difficult. It may be better to switch to an appropriately sized tub until you get the hang of things.

[ConWolf416]

JodanOrNorDan,

I already read countless care sheets upon purchasing my snake, and I already looked up how to properly set up a tank on many sites, so that is of no help to me.

Also, it's not a fish tank?
It's a terrarium specifically designed for reptiles.

And no i'm not going to use a tub. First off I got this tank cause it's what a lot of people use, and it gives him the best amount of space and allows me to create a more natural environment. Second off I spent a lot of money on this terrarium and am not going to waste it, it's a very nice terrarium. And it's also appropriately sized.

I realize it can be hard with this kind of setup, that's why i'm here asking for help specifically making use of what I already have. I'm open to getting a new kind of lamp, but i'm not replacing my terrarium. If you want to help, please help me to use what I already have. Otherwise, you cannot help me. And I also know all of the basics already, I don't need any care sheets.

But thank you anyways.

[BPGator]

BPGator, No, the humidity gauge is located in the middle of the tank with the the thermometer, not under the light. Also, if you're talking about a ceramic rock I've heard they're bad because they can overheat and burn the snake, so I don't want to get one of those. But if your talking about a ceramic heat lamp let me know, I haven't seen those and don't know anything about them.

I'm not talking about a rock, it's more like a bulb. This is an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...rds=che+heater

Is the thermometer in the middle of the tank the only thermometer you have? It's important to have a digital thermometer on the inside of your tank, under your coco right next to the heat mat. This is the maximum temperature your snake can feel. There are numerous stories on this forum of snakes getting burned because heat mats are being used unregulated by a thermostat. Here's a decent starter thermostat:

https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contro...art+thermostat

It's also helpful to get a more accurate thermostat/hygrometer. This will be closer to the floor, where your snake is and give you a better idea of the humidity and air temperature:

https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00891...ter+with+probe

[JodanOrNoDan]

I'm not talking about a rock, it's more like a bulb. This is an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...rds=che+heater

Is the thermometer in the middle of the tank the only thermometer you have? It's important to have a digital thermometer on the inside of your tank, under your coco right next to the heat mat. This is the maximum temperature your snake can feel. There are numerous stories on this forum of snakes getting burned because heat mats are being used unregulated by a thermostat. Here's a decent starter thermostat:

https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contro...art+thermostat

It's also helpful to get a more accurate thermostat/hygrometer. This will be closer to the floor, where your snake is and give you a better idea of the humidity and air temperature:

https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00891...ter+with+probe

Thank you. Please help him. I am banning myself from the board for the rest of the day. I am out of patience. A lot of experts around today that are a third of my age with one snake, so I am out until I develop a better attitude. LOL

[BPGator]

Thank you. Please help him. I am banning myself from the board for the rest of the day. I am out of patience. A lot of experts around today that are a third of my age with one snake, so I am out until I develop a better attitude. LOL

I recently got home and had my Scotch, so I'm good to go. I'm in a very understanding mood now


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[Bmocken]

Try taking the bulb away. If your covering the screen then it's probably the reason things are drying out.

[WarrThox]

I have the almost Identical setup but with a 10 gallon tank and a ceramic heat emitter in the middle and foil covering 98% of the screen, with no moss inside. The che will do the same thing, dry it out quick. I figured that out 2 weeks ago. The minute I turned it off the humidity rises from 50 to 65%. Every couple days I would have to spray the substrate good and damp to keep it above 60%.

So I have added a second water bowl and keep the che off until I can get a radiant heat panel setup figured out with this tank. It's been 3 days with the che off, the cool side stays at 75*f, hot side 95*f, and humidity hovers around 80%. I have extra thg heat tape I was thinking of putting on top of the screen hot side to warm the air temp and not mess with the humidity.

Here is my thread to give a better understanding of what I've been through.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=246577


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