Paper is hydroscopic it absorbs water from the air dropping RH. If you choose to use a paper substrate the easiest is to buy a humidifier. Compromising ventilation for RH is not a good idea.
When I was using conventional tank systems I used coco coir it holds more water than any other substrate I have seen. I would 'bank' the substrate making a deep thick layer over the cool end and thin layer over the warm end. Under the thick layer I had a shallow tray (baking dish in my case) The substrate filling and totally covering the tray. I would push a hole (finger) deep into the thick layer and fill the tray with water. This would be adsorbed by the substrate and moisten the under layer but not the top layer. As the water mass evaporate the RH increases especially under the cool hide (where typically the snake will spend most of its time) I re filled the tray every 7 to 10 days in the summer (35% RH average) and 5-8 winter (10%rh average) I did not need to restrict ventilation or mist.
There is no magic fix just variations everything has a pro and con or there would be no debate. Misting IMO simply does not place enough water mass down (safely) to be effective more than 12-24 hours at best and in very dry conditions it is only a few hours. With out a automatic system or altering the room misting is not a solution just a temporary fix.
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Originally Posted by Druzy
