everything is so wrong with this set up...where do I start?

[kitedemon]

If you look at a digital gauge angllady2 suggests check to see if the calibration dial that is usually on the front moves easily the one I started with does move very easily and the snakes keep re-calibrating it them selves the additional cost and lower accuracy I don't believe it to be worth the effort. Why people are so anti analogue I don't know. The analogue one I mentioned is spec'd at +/- 3% the digital one (I paid 55$ for the one I bought first) is specked at 8% It makes no real difference but I dropped an extra 45$ for a digital one that is not as accurate as the analogue one. Save you money buy cheap thermometers and a calibrate able humidity gauge and invest in a good t-stat.

[RetiredJedi]

Naomiii, I have to say that I took the suggestions from these great folks on here. I have a glass tank and my humidity level sucked real bad. Today I installed a UTH, got rid of the heat lamp and, am using just a regular light for day time. I covered three sides of the tank and did the screen top similar to THIS. The difference is I did the treatment to a piece of cardboard I cut to fit over the screen and did that to the cardboard and then placed the cardboard over the screen. I am so happy to report that the cool side, so far for the first day, stays at a steady 81 degrees - 51% humidity and warm side is 90 degrees - 60% humidity. The only heat source is coming from the UTH. I also have two of the ACURITE digital readers and I bought ONE OF THESE to control the temp of the UTH.

[Naomiii]

Quick update

Thankyou all for your suggestions, I have taken them all on board. I gave the viv a total clean, disinfected it throughout, bought some repti bark, and new digi thermometer and hydrometer. I have replaced the heat lamp with a normal simple low light. And placed it outside the viv in the centre. I have covered the top warm side of the viv with a purpose cut board of wood that fits snuggly. The humidity is now 80%, he is not having a very good shed at all, lots of small scales and still bit stuck on. The temp is 71.f

I must say I was petrified of picking him up, and did so quickly and placed him in a rub whilst I cleaned the viv out. When it was time for him to go back in, I just let him slither in on his accord, as when I opened the rub he looked a bit defensive. Which brings me to another question.. When is the beat time to pick him up? When he is in a ball? Or when he's out and exploring? His body language, tight s shape neck.. Does that mean leave him alone? I was going to put him in the bath today to help him with his shed, but thought maybe tomorrow, I'm sure he could feel me shaking haha!

All in all I feel he is doing quite well, and seems quite happy exploring his viv.

[mommanessy247]

seems quite happy exploring his viv.

SOME exploring is ok as long as he eventually settles down but if he's out pacing during the day thats stress and thats not good.
bp's are nocturnal so you really shouldnt be seeing too much of him during the day 'cept for when he's switching hides.
we here at bp.net say
"a hiding bp is a happy bp."

[kitedemon]

71 is too cold you need to get the temps up! 80ºF on the cool end 90ºF on the warm end and ideally 81-4 ambient air temps. 80% humidity is quite high, I'd might add more ventilation how much do you have now? The big issue is heat. You took away the heat source what did you replace it with? It needs to be warmer. All the people whom are so very concerned with humidity don't seem to understand the HEAT is critical humidity can be solved with a humid hide very easily but with too much heat or too little heat the snake cannot digest its food and will die. YOU NEED TO GET SOMETHING TO GET THE TEMPS UP!!!!

[Naomiii]

SOME exploring is ok as long as he eventually settles down but if he's out pacing during the day thats stress and thats not good.
bp's are nocturnal so you really shouldnt be seeing too much of him during the day 'cept for when he's switching hides.
we here at bp.net say
"a hiding bp is a happy bp."

oops..should have said at night he is sleeping during the day fine x

[Naomiii]

71 is too cold you need to get the temps up! 80ºF on the cool end 90ºF on the warm end and ideally 81-4 ambient air temps. 80% humidity is quite high, I'd might add more ventilation how much do you have now? The big issue is heat. You took away the heat source what did you replace it with? It needs to be warmer. All the people whom are so very concerned with humidity don't seem to understand the HEAT is critical humidity can be solved with a humid hide very easily but with too much heat or too little heat the snake cannot digest its food and will die. YOU NEED TO GET SOMETHING TO GET THE TEMPS UP!!!!

Thanks for your reply, the humidity is high as I thought it would help with his shedding, its new repti bark, so I assumed that would add more humidity initialy? the only heat source I have is a UTH using a habit stat. the ventilation is about the half width of the viv via metal mesh.

As I type the thermometer is reading 76.f so I guess thats pretty low its placed in the center of the viv, I said in a previous post I would be buying a new habi stat, as this one looks ancient, will do that and let you know how the temps work out. Thanks x

[kitedemon]

Everything seems fine *but that temp* add the heat lamp back in if you have to, heat over humidity! Check the temp inside the hot side hide and cool end hide. There are important, it should be at or near the substrate then check about 3-4 inches off the substrate in the centre of the enclosure ideally it will be close to 81 give or take.

You should have:
hot hide interior substrate = 90 or so not over 92 unless you are sure of perfect accuracy in your instruments (check the specs)

Cool hide interior substrate 78-81

Ambient temps 80-85 They are the hardest to control, insulation often does wonders.

The 80 for a shed is fine you can allow it to drop after the shed is finished. If you end up needing the lamp again to get the temps right just make a humid hide or toss some damp moss in the existing hides.