Temperture/ Humidity Issues. :(

[emmm1984]

I'm still having some tank issues, and nobody at the pet store can't really seem to give me advice that works or makes sense. I have my bp (about four months old or so) in a 20 gal. tank. I'm using lights for temp control, a 100 watt for the day and a 75 watt for night per pet store guy's recommendation. My temp hangs around 90 on the hot side during the day, drops a bit at night. My humidity however is dropping under 50. Misting helps, but only briefly. Not much room in the cage but I did squeeze a humid hide in there. Thought about a UTH, but the same guy said it can stunt my snake's growth?? Please help. I really want to get this corrected.

[Trackstrong83]

The lamps are sucking the humidity right out of the air. Get a UTH for the hot spot, ball pythons like belly heat. It will help humidity a ton. Make sure you get a thermostat though. NEVER run a UTH without a thermostat because it can get so hot to burn your snake.
This is a great thermostat for the price.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...4772034&sr=8-1

[emmm1984]

The lamps are sucking the humidity right out of the air. Get a UTH for the hot spot, ball pythons like belly heat. It will help humidity a ton. Make sure you get a thermostat though. NEVER run a UTH without a thermostat because it can get so hot to burn your snake.
This is a great thermostat for the price.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...4772034&sr=8-1

Ok, I'm going to pick up a UTH that puts out 8 watts today. The store doesn't sell thermostats, though, and it'll take Amazon a couple of days to get it to me.. What can I do til then?

[Trackstrong83]

Yeah usually pet stores don't sell thermostats. But for now until the thermostat gets to you, just keep misting the cage. You can also fold up some aluminum foil and tape it to about 2/3 of the screen, that will help humidity as well.

[emmm1984]

Would this work if I attach it to the UTH??

http://www.petsmart.com/product/zoom...ductId=2752560

[LLLReptile]

Would this work if I attach it to the UTH??

http://www.petsmart.com/product/zoom...ductId=2752560

No, that's a thermometer, not a thermostat.

Try adding water directly to the substrate, in addition to misting the cage. A common thing I see in customers coming into our stores is that the substrate is completely dry, which will always result in low humidity in the end, no matter how much you spray the cage.

Grab an 8 oz glass of water, dump it into the bedding, stir it around, and see how that is absorbed. A good goal to have is to moisten the bedding once or twice a week, and let that evaporate - that should help a bunch. That combined with a humid hide and just extra moss throughout the cage that you keep damp, that should also help. Keep in mind that while you don't want to make the cage soggy and sopping wet (the top layer of substrate should become dry by the end of the day), you also don't want it to be bone dry.

Good luck!

-Jen

[Trackstrong83]

Try this method, I've heard it works great with holding in heat and humidity.m

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tment-Tutorial

[emmm1984]

Thanks, both of you. It'll be a couple days til that thermostat arrives so I'm going to do both of these tips today. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

[Trackstrong83]

Hey it's no problem, there are hundreds of people on this site wanting to help. Don't be shy if you have anymore questions.

[emmm1984]

Appreciate it. I've quickly learned why people become so frustrated with chain pet stores like Petsmart. In hindsight that guy didn't know nearly as much as he said. I think I'm going to look for a store that specializes in reptiles. Hopefully that will help in the future.