I am relatively new to this site, but have had my BP since August 2009 and everything is going well so far. I have read a lot of posts on set up and general care and this site has been extremely helpful so far.

My BP is housed in a 20 gal plastic tank with a ventilated top, and I have recently switched to a digital thermo-hygro meter (was using analogue before!)

My issue is that since switching to the digital, i have realized that my temp and humidity settings are not correct and I'm finding it difficult to find a solution.

The temp/ humidity in the hide is showing 82/84f & 50% humidity (hot side), which i think is about ok. However, in the main tank area (ambient reading) the temp is at around 70/72f and 80%+ humidity! (the probe is placed about 1 cm from the ground - the higher up I place it the cooler the reading but similar humidity)

My BP spends much of his time in the hide where the set up is ok (please confirm if not) - but I can't seem to lift the temperature in the main tank area and reduce the humidity (the humidity is the main issue i think?).

I'm using a UTH on the hot side and no bulbs or anything else as a heat source. There is a water dish that i have now moved over to the cool side to try and reduce the humidity but to no avail.

I live in spain so much of the year is ok for the temperature but this winter has been particularly bad, and very humid (in the air generally) and I need some direction on how to solve the temp & humidity problems as I'm concerned that they could harm my BP when he comes out of his hide to search!!

Should i drill some holes into the tank to help reduce the humidity - but wouldn't this also reduce the temperature?!

Any ideas/ suggestions would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance......