Please help! Humidity too low.

[blenderhead]

I currently have my BP (about 3 months old) in a ten gallon glass tank. I have two identical hides in it (one over the UTH and one on the cool end), a large water bowl, and some fake plants. Besides the UTH, I use an infrared bulb to heat the tank (93 on the hot side, about 85 on the cool end). I've been using Desert Snow as the substrate but decided to switch to cypress because of the low humidity levels in the tank. I'm also using some sphagnum moss. Despite using both the moss and cypress, the humidity levels consistently drop to 40%. I have to mist the tank multiple times a day just to keep it around 50%. I have half of the screen top covered with aluminum foil; should I cover more of it? I'm really at a loss here and don't know what to do. Using a plastic sweater box isn't really an option because the air temp in my house is 70 degrees and will be 68 degrees all winter. How would a UTH be able to raise the air temp enough in a sweater box? What measures should I take to help raise the humidity levels? I'm afraid my BP is going to suffer because of the low levels. Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[abuja]

I currently have my BP (about 3 months old) in a ten gallon glass tank. I have two identical hides in it (one over the UTH and one on the cool end), a large water bowl, and some fake plants. Besides the UTH, I use an infrared bulb to heat the tank (93 on the hot side, about 85 on the cool end). I've been using Desert Snow as the substrate but decided to switch to cypress because of the low humidity levels in the tank. I'm also using some sphagnum moss. Despite using both the moss and cypress, the humidity levels consistently drop to 40%. I have to mist the tank multiple times a day just to keep it around 50%. I have half of the screen top covered with aluminum foil; should I cover more of it? I'm really at a loss here and don't know what to do. Using a plastic sweater box isn't really an option because the air temp in my house is 70 degrees and will be 68 degrees all winter. How would a UTH be able to raise the air temp enough in a sweater box? What measures should I take to help raise the humidity levels? I'm afraid my BP is going to suffer because of the low levels. Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Cypress mulch as the substrate. The desert snow is sucking the humidity out as well as not being recommended as a ball python substrate.

[blenderhead]

I AM using cypress mulch now, and the humidity is still too low.

[Quiet Tempest]

The heat bulb will zap moisture out of the air. I'd stick with the UTH only if I were you. If you don't want to switch housing to a sweaterbox or similar tub, you could still make a humidity hide for the snake. I've used everything from used (washed) deli containers to 30qt Sterilite tubs as humidity hides for animals. Just line it with moistened substrate and cover with a lid. Make an entry/exit hole just big enough for your snake to come and go as it pleases and you're done.

[ballmom]

I had the same problem but with a 20L glass tank after doing everything from getting a bigger bowl of water to covering 95% of the lid with foil, taking out the light or over head heat source. I was still not able to get the humidity over 45% for more than 30 minutes. Last night i put a 15qt sterrilite tub w/vent holes in the 20L put her in there and within 15 minutes the humidity was at 60% and held till this morning.

I hope you are able to stay with the glass tank but you may want to consider moving him/her to a plastic tub.

Amanda

[Quiet Tempest]

Forgot to mention.. I use ClingWrap to cover about 3/4 of my 40g breeder tank to trap humidity. I saturate the cypress mulch in the tank before putting the wrap over the screen and condensation is usually visible within an hour and the humidity level holds for at least a few days this way without having to spray or mist the enclosure further. Before doing this I almost always had issues with balls I kept in screen-topped glass aquariums. No more "explosive sheds" now.

Hope it helps.

[blenderhead]

I can't use clingwrap and ditch the light because my house is too cold (68 degrees).

Also, is there anything I should put under the cypress (paper towels or newspaper)? I'm afraid that I won't be able to tell if he's urinated.

[Vypyrz]

I can't use clingwrap and ditch the light because my house is too cold (68 degrees).

Also, is there anything I should put under the cypress (paper towels or newspaper)? I'm afraid that I won't be able to tell if he's urinated.

Check your RZ post. I linked a suggestion there...


Rob

[shining apprentice]

to poster... if you figure out a good solution please let me know im having the same problem... pretty much same temp in my house and humidity, damn you new england.

[Elise.m]

Right now I'm using a 20g for my pastel, and was having a problem with keeping the humidity up while using Cypress Mulch. Yesterday, I just hosed down the mulch and made it all very moist, and so far it's keeping that moisture. So when you go to change the substrate, put some water in there first, mix it around a little bit and then put everything back in place.

The UTH will dry out the substrate, so you have to keep an eye on it. You might still have to mist, I think I will have to. The cold side will keep the moisture, and if your warm side gets too dry your BP might seek out the other hide, knowing that it's more appropriate. That's what mine did, I couldn't get her to stay in the warm hide and then once I moistened the substrate real well, she finally stayed in it.

The best thing to do would be to switch to tubs, as they keep the humidity really well and they do the same job as a tank. Yes, the heat does stay in there.