How to find temp and humidity balance?

[pavlovk1025]

How often are you misting though? Also, if you are using a UTH, is it necessary to use a heat lamp also? I just went and fixed up a set up like yours with the foil and put some bark and moss on top and behind his hiding rock. I need to get on that reptitemp though because I put my hand in his rock and it's hot. He's out and about on his nightly stroll.

Misting as needed really. The Acu Rite will let you know when it's time. After the foil method I was misting maybe once a week.

And the reason I don't want to order online is because once it hits the border, we get punched in the face with duty fee's, sometimes the same price as the item.

Didnt know that. Well then yeah just try the Petco or whatever area you're in see about local pet shops if Petco doesnt have it.


Another thing you can do for humidity is get a bigger water bowl btw. And for the head under his hot rock, to kind of tone it down you can elevate the tank OVER the UTH to let some air come thru and cool it down a bit. You could also increase the thickness of the substrate over that spot as well. Try folding up some newspaper then puttin the substrate over it. If youre using aspen or something like that. If youre using newspaper already just add a thick layer over it.

[justinsane82]

Sounds good. I very much appreciate your advice. I can't imagine only having to mist once a week lol. Should I also lower the wattage of my bulb? Online mentions using a 50 watt bulb.

[pavlovk1025]

I havent heard anything about bulb wattage. I just bought one from the reptile section of Petco and called it good.

An UTH alone isn't going to be able to warm the whole tank. It's only there to be a hot spot really. Especially in a 20 gal tank. My set up was a 20gal tank as well, and I found that I needed the heat lamp. I switched it for a ceramic heat emitter after dealing with the hassle of switching bulbs from night to day and shutting down lights at night. So if there's any recommendation of mine that would be it, swap the lamp (because they dont really need the light anyway) for a CHE and you should be good.

[pavlovk1025]

Oh and welcome to the community and the addiction. Totally forgot. This site is great for any and all information you need on BPs and so many others. Careful though, you might get hooked on the morphs and see your collection expand quickly.

[zeke]

I also keep my BP's in tanks ( havent built my racks yet ) the foil works well as i'm sure you see that already. I posted the same question awhile back, one thing I have done before that helps is make a humidity tight hide.. to do so you get a tub-a-ware container w/ lid about the same size as your regular tight hide.. get spagum moss ( go to home depot or lowes to get it, it costs less then pet stores) on the side of the container cut a hole the same size that your tight hide has. take the spagum moss and wet it and drain out the extra water in the container, put the lid back on and put it in the tank under the light. it will add humidity and helps when your BP gets ready to shed. ( my Blood loves her's ). Enojy your new addiction, it only gets worse but soooo worth it.

Cheers

[justinsane82]

It would be hard to try to fit in another hide in a 20 gallon tank. I think he's going to need an upgrade in the next few months so I can then explore that option. As for the foil trick, does it have to be foil or could I take some card board and wrap it with plastic wrap?

[zeke]

replace the old hide with the humidity hide.. I used just tin foil and taped it to the screen top.. I think the heat from the lamp will melt the plastic, but i'm not sure.

[Kaorte]

It would be hard to try to fit in another hide in a 20 gallon tank. I think he's going to need an upgrade in the next few months so I can then explore that option. As for the foil trick, does it have to be foil or could I take some card board and wrap it with plastic wrap?

Doubtful that he will need an upgrade.

These snakes do not need room to slither around. They are shy and secretive and will spend almost all of their time in their hides. If your snake is not hiding during the day and most of the night then there is something wrong.

You should be able to easily shove two appropriately sized hides and a water bowl into a 20g tank.

[justinsane82]

Just an update...I picked up a ceramic heater, covered the top as instructed, used some eco earth as a base with some aspen on top and it's working great. I haven't even had to mist the tank since posting so thanks for all the suggestions.