noob question...

[drifter0069]

I just purchased my bp 3 days ago. it is a very nice looking regular bp, around 18-20 inches. i have it in a 46 gallon bowfront fishtank. i have the temperature good, 94 on the warm side and 82 on the cool side. my problem is humidity. i am using this green reptile carpet for substrate and i am heating with 2 red heat lights, one 150 watt on a dimmer and another 75 watt without dimmer. i am using an accurite thermometer that was recomended here. when i mist the tank, i can get 55-58% humidity, but after about an hour or so, i am down to 25-30% humidity. i have aluminum foil covering most of my screen top. not real sure what to do next. has anyone had any luck with the reptile foggers? not sure how these work. i was contemplating building a waterfall/ water bowl. but im not sure if the noise would stress the snake. i am open to any and all ideas. i am stumped. thanks!

[dembonez]

well 46 gallon is pretty big for a BP! umm as far as substrare i use cypress mulch and it helps so well with humidity!!! i mist once a day and i have perfect humidity all day long! i have a water bowl on the hot side of the tank to help! maybe switching the substrate will help with humidity but the head lamps will kill your humidity fast!

[mrodgers73]

First off I would recommend ditching the lights and go with 2 uth's 1 for hot and 1 for cold either get 2 tstats or use 2 reostats or light simmers. Set hot side temp between 90-92 and cold 80-82. Add water bowl slightly over 1 ugh to help create some humidty. Also use some other source of substrate as aspen or cypress mulch which will help with humidity. Carpet won't hold moisture and lights dry up the humidity in your tank. Good luck and enjoy your new bp!

[Reesy]

1. The tank you have is way to big. These guys tend to stress out when they have too much space. I would recommend going with a 10 galon tank or a plastic bin until your snake grows bigger.

2. You really need to get an under tank heat pad. They need belly heat to allow them to digest there food properly.

3. Try covering the majority of the top of the tank with triple layered aluminum foil to help hold in the humidity. I don't think you want the snakes skin to be constantly wet by a fogger. Could lead to scale rot.

4. Don't try to feed the little guy for a week or so, let him/her settle in to her new home first(de-stress).

5. This is a personal preference but I would recommend using newspaper or paper towels for a substrate. Much easier to deal with when it comes to clean-ups. Remember for everything that goes in there is something that comes back out.

6. Also, use to hides one on the hot side and one on the cool side. Your baby will settle in a lot easier if it feels secure in it's new home.

Goodluck with your new little one.

[thedarkwolf25]

The 46 MAY be too big for her, but I have mine in a 55 gallon and she is doing fine it just depends on the snake. I would ditch at least one of the lamps and get a UTH sized for you tank, those heat lamps kill humidity very quickly.

Personally I use Cypress mulch for bedding and it holds humidity pretty well, another substrate you could use is Eco Earth (shredded coconut hulls) it holds humidity even better than Cypress.

I don't use aluminum foil on top of my tank I use hand towels that I get nice and damp (not soaked) and put those on top of the tank and it works very well. I have heard good things about the foggers and feel free to get one and try it out, just keep in mind that they will lower your temps when they are on.

I would try switching the substrate and getting a UTH and that should help alot.

[PitOnTheProwl]

As everyone already said, your carpet it not going to help you at all because it holds no moisture. The lights are also killing your humidity.
You can switch to aspen, cypress, or eco-earth, I mix my aspen with eco-earth(about 40% eco to 60% aspen).
The 46 bow, I believe has a smaller foot-print than a 20 long just because it is so tall. So you should be fine with the tank, just make sure you have a couple hides and some other clutter in it so that your snake feels more secure. I use a bunch of the fake suction cup plants in my 55 gal. to cover the whole back wall.

[thedarkwolf25]

I use a bunch of the fake suction cup plants in my 55 gal. to cover the whole back wall.

Where I can get those? I never saw anything that had suction cups at the dollar stores or at the pet store.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Where I can get those? I never saw anything that had suction cups at the dollar stores or at the pet store.

I get mine at petsmart, they start at like $3 each

[drifter0069]

thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. although the tank is a 46 gallon, its tall, not real wide or deep. first thing im gonna do is change my substrate and heat. see where that takes me. thanks again!

[thedarkwolf25]

I get mine at petsmart, they start at like $3 each

Thanks I'll check and see if they have any!