Ambient Temps and Humidity..

[Sarin]

I am having SUCH a hard time keeping my ambient temps and humidity up. My ambient temps stay around 73-77 and it won't go any higher. And because of the heat lamp my humidity is only around 40%.

I was thinking of using one of those smelly sprays for automated misting but I am not sure if I can clean it out enough for it not to be toxic any more?

I have foam core insulation on 3 sides of my tank, and 1/2 of my screen top is covered in plastic. Nothing is working. I don't want to do anything that's 'ugly' or will ruin my tank. (ie. aluminum tape on my screen)

Any ideas...? This is really frustrating.

[cartman89]

hey what size tank and what heating pad? What is your room temperature? Any thermomstat

[Sarin]

20 Gallon Long, I am using a 30-40 gallon Zoo Med UTH that covers almost half of the bottom of my tank. My room temperature is probably 1-2 degrees cooler then my ambient in my tank because of the heating lamp. Using a dimmer right now but I am not having any troubles with my hot side (usually stays 90-94). Thermostat came in the mail yesterday, need to set it up tonight. (500r)

[cartman89]

Yeah I have the 500R too and its working good. Um... yeah my cool side is around 78-80 I would like to get it to 82 but I just cannot. It will drop to like 77 at night and be at 80 during the day. I have styrofoam around 2 sides of my tank (back and right side) and 3/4 of my screen is covered with aluminum foil also...but that does nothing to my temps...that just raise my humidity from 65% to 70%. Lets stay tuned and see what others have to say cause I'm in your boat as well

[Sarin]

Any ideas?

I am sure it will be better once we put the AC on (with my vent closed the room stayes pretty warm) But the house is SO cold right now.


Should I be worried or will this not harm my BP?

[mrshawt]

How will the house be warmer with the AC?
Do you have a light bulb style lamp, or a CHE? The CHE's put out a lot more heat. I have mine on a light dimmer, and it's plenty for a 40 gallon. But then again, I have two UTH's. The cool side (also on a dimmer) is barely on.

Yes, you do want to get those temps up, or else it will stress the snake. In terms of humidity, throw a humidifier in your room. Walmart and Target have them for pretty cheap in the pharmacy section.

[Sarin]

Like I said my room stays warm when the vent is closed when the AC is on because the house is closed up. (the windows are open 24/7 right now)

I'd rather not go out and buy a humidifier. My room is tiny and I don't have the space for anything like that. I was thinking more of an automatic spritzer.

[eMonk]

what does your lid look like? is it mostly covered up with for example a towel or foil?

[mrshawt]

An auto spritzer will cost a lot more money than a humidifier and will increase the chance of mold. Most of the humidifiers are personal sized, about 1 cubic foot.

In fact, the Walmart near me has a tiny Vicks one that costs $16 and requires no filter.

[Kaorte]

What substrate are you using?

You could get another UTH since you already have a dimmer and then plug the new UTH into the dimmer and then into the second outlet on the 500r. That should help boost the ambient temp. I would say try to keep your ambient above 75* and the snake will be just fine.

As for humidity, you could purchase some sphagnum moss and dampen it and place it around the cage. I wouldn't get an auto mister, those just get too complicated and it really isn't necessary for maintaining 60% humidity. Humidity is most important during a shed.