1st time BP owner: Humidity question

[Kyleena]

I'm a first time BP owner, have had the snake for only a few days and am having difficulty controlling the humidity. She's in shed now (what a perfect time to have a problem with humidity right?)
She is in a 20g tank with screen lid. There's 2 water bowls and towels over 2/3 of the screen lid. There's an UTH and a 40w red light for heat. I'm misting the enclosure several times a day but humidity still falls below 40%
If anyone had any advice it would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to keep her as happy and healthy as I can!
Thank you

[anatess]

I'm a first time BP owner, have had the snake for only a few days and am having difficulty controlling the humidity. She's in shed now (what a perfect time to have a problem with humidity right?)
She is in a 20g tank with screen lid. There's 2 water bowls and towels over 2/3 of the screen lid. There's an UTH and a 40w red light for heat. I'm misting the enclosure several times a day but humidity still falls below 40%
If anyone had any advice it would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to keep her as happy and healthy as I can!
Thank you

If you're sure your hygrometer is accurate, then I'd do the following:

1.) See if you can get rid of the red light.
If you can't then:

2.) Move the water bowl closer to the UTH.
3.) Exchange the towels for tin foil and cover most of the top except for where the lamp is... I would just stretch the tinfoil across the entire screen, then carve out a circle an inch bigger than the lamp.

What water bowl are you using? If it's that rock-like thing, you might want to exchange it for the lighter plastic one.

[stratus_020202]

Do you need the heat lamp? If not, I would get rid of it. As long as the uth keeps the bottom of the cage at 90-92 (with a little flex), you can just use that. Bulbs suck humidity like a straw.

If you do need it, you can take a Tupperware bowl and punch some holes in it, fill it with damp moss. That will help. You can also sprinkle some moss around his cage, and put some in his hide.

What kind of substrate are you using?

Also, are you controlling your uth? It should be put on a dimmer or a thermostat. They can spike well over 100, and not only can burn the snake, but will also make it a dry atmosphere.

Hope this helps!

[Kyleena]

I'm using aspen for the substrate and think I need a heat lamp. The UTH is a ZooMed one and haven't bought a thermostat yet
As for the water bowls, I have one small rock like one on the cool side and a clear, lightweight plastic container on the warm side near the UTH and bulb. Living in arizona isn't helping the situation either : )
Thank you for your help!

[PghBall]

Lose the lamp definitely, I had the same issue with my first BP. As mentioned they suck the humidity from the tank. Also, cover 3/4 of the screen lid with Aluminum foil (tape it down with Aluminum tape that you can get at Lowes or HD). Also as someone else mentioned, put some damp paper towels or Sphagnum moss in the hide to make a humid hide. A thermostat is a must too to keep the temps on the UTH from getting to high. You may also want to invest in a humidifier for the room if your area usually has low humidity. It may help bump up the humidity for the entire room and help you keep a constant humidity in the tank. Welcome to the site!

[Kyleena]

I'll do that! Thanks so much everyone for the help!!!!

[stratus_020202]

If you haven't already, you can also cover three sides of the aquarium with posterboard material, or black sheeting. It will hold the heat better for you. Then you may be able to ditch that lamp to help with humidity.

You can also try switching to cypress mulch if you have some good lawn and garden stores around. It should hold humidity a little better than the aspen. Make sure it's good clean stuff. No bugs.

Welcome to the addiction!

[BALL3R]

aspen is terrible at holding moisture as well..

[OtterGoRun]

We used to have problems with our humidity the first week out. We did the tin foil thing, and no more problems. During shedding when the humidity needs to be even higher, we will either do the damp moss in the hide or we will put a damp towel in between the screen and the foil. It raises the humidity to an acceptable level.

I would also get a thermostat ASAP. Those UTH pads can get REALLY hot without one.

[kitedemon]

A 30$ humidifier. run it near or over the top of the enclosure, either reduced rate (if it has that ability) or on a timer. Mid morning is best if it is on the timer that allows the temps to warm up in the afternoon some.