Help with Humidity!

[ksaul]

First post

But I got my first ball python 2 weeks ago and he is such a fun lil guy, but having trouble keeping the humidity in the tank at 70%+. I have to spray the tank every 2hours to keep it above 50% and its very tedious.

My tank setup:
30 Gallon Tank
- 50w "Sun"/Basking bulb for day } using a clip on lamp shade from home depot
- 50w Infrared night bulb

- Astroturf flooring
- Half gallon water bowl
- 1 Fake/Plastic bush
- 1 XL Half rock for hiding

- Wiremesh screen lid

He seems happy with the setup, but I am worried that the humidity is to low for him.

My average temps
- Day: 90F with 50% Humidity (if I dont stay ontop of the humidity)
- Day: 85F with 80% Humidity (20minutes after a spray)

- Night: 95F with 80%
- Night: 95F with 40% (while Im sleeping)

I keep the water bowl full at all times, and I focus my light onto the bowl to try to help keep the humidity up. I have the tank setup in my room with average temp at 74F. I have a ceiling fan that runs while I'm in the room, but I turn it off when I leave to help keep the humidity in the tank and not in the air.

I'm clueless as to any tricks "of the trade" since this is my first reptile and snake. Any help is appreciated!!

[Argentra]

Ok, this is gonna be a long list. That tank is WAY too wet and doesn't have some of the things it needs to work as an enclosure.

First, get rid of the carpet. Even if you bleach it all the time it can still harbor bacteria and mold and be heck to keep clean. Aspen bedding is best, followed by cypress mulch, plain newsprint paper, and paper towels.
Next, cover the screen top using the foil treatment or plexiglass with holes. Regular screen holds in Nothing.
Lamps only sap humidity and aren't the best heat source for snakes as it is. You need to heat that tank with UTH pads or flexwatt heat tape on a good Thermostat.
I can't tell if the back and sides are covered with a background. If not, then do so ASAP. If they are, then add foam insulation board to the outside. That helps keep things stable in a glass tank.
1/2 gallon is a bit large for a water bowl. Once you get the foil on the top and change the bedding your humidity will be high enough to use a cat bowl. Ceramic is best unless you always want to clean up spills.

Those are the basic things I can tell you off the bat. I'll send you the link to the foil treatment how-to, as well as a list of basic things needed to make a tank a working snake home.

[MattU]

It really only needs to be 50-60% humidity, unless its about to shed then you can bump it up to upper sixties or so. An under tank heater would be better- those heat lamps will dry up the air a lot. Also, are those gauge-type thermometer/hygrometer? If so you definitely should get a digital one, Acu-Rite makes a good one, get it at wal mart or lowes for around 13 bucks

EDIT Argentra ya beat me to it hahaha

[ksaul]

Ok, this is gonna be a long list. That tank is WAY too wet and doesn't have some of the things it needs to work as an enclosure.

First, get rid of the carpet. Even if you bleach it all the time it can still harbor bacteria and mold and be heck to keep clean. Aspen bedding is best, followed by cypress mulch, plain newsprint paper, and paper towels.
Next, cover the screen top using the foil treatment or plexiglass with holes. Regular screen holds in Nothing.
Lamps only sap humidity and aren't the best heat source for snakes as it is. You need to heat that tank with UTH pads or flexwatt heat tape on a good Thermostat.
I can't tell if the back and sides are covered with a background. If not, then do so ASAP. If they are, then add foam insulation board to the outside. That helps keep things stable in a glass tank.
1/2 gallon is a bit large for a water bowl. Once you get the foil on the top and change the bedding your humidity will be high enough to use a cat bowl. Ceramic is best unless you always want to clean up spills.

Those are the basic things I can tell you off the bat. I'll send you the link to the foil treatment how-to, as well as a list of basic things needed to make a tank a working snake home.

Thank you very much for your constructive criticism. I had just sprayed the tank right before I took the photo, thats why it looks so wet. I got a 30g tank because my snake is already a year old and about 2ft long. I plan to get this fixed tomorrow with the list you just wrote up for me. Hopefully things will be better

[omnibus2]

Get rid of the heat lamps, they dessicate.

If you are seriously concerned with humidity, I highly recommend switching to tubs.

[seeya205]

You need alarge but shallow water dish to help with humidity. You need to cover the screen asap! That allow should keep the humidity up to 58%-60%! Also those hides look too large! A 30 gallon should have tons of space!

[gmcclurelssu]

following up on the other responses, ball pythons never really need a large hide. they seem to enjoy small and very snug hides. the usual advice is to have two identical hides- one on the warm side and one on the cool side. also, just as the other guys suggested, the humidity should be between 50% and 60% being measured with some kind of digital thermometer/ hydrometer. I believe lamps are fine IF temp and humidity requirements are being meet. I would also recommend reading through the site's care sheets for further info.

[Elise.m]

I see analog temp meters. Go to wal mart and get an accurite digital thermometer, it also tells you the humidity, accurately.

[ksaul]

Is it neccessary to use a red/night bulb at night? I have the tank setup in my room, and I finally got the humidity perfect with perfect temp. But this bulb ontop isnt exactly the most cosmetic option. I have an UTH with a thermostat and would like to remove the bulb option.

Do i NEED a nightbulb/Red bulb?

[ksaul]

Is it neccessary to use a red/night bulb at night? I have the tank setup in my room, and I finally got the humidity perfect with perfect temp. But this bulb ontop isnt exactly the most cosmetic option. I have an UTH with a thermostat and would like to remove the bulb option.

Do i NEED a nightbulb/Red bulb?

I only say this because I sleep with the lights off, in complete darkness, is this good or bad for the snake?