Quote Originally Posted by yellowbelly76 View Post
I presume this is in addition the existing water bowl, and not putting the sponge in the normal water bowl? Regarding the cardboard...should it cover the entire top of the tank screen (minus the heat lamp area of course)?
NO! humidity warmth and low air flow grow bacteria and fungi both can lead to RI. This is basically making what in human terms is 'sick building syndrome' blocking air flow is a poor unsafe way to increase humidity.

Misting is useless it is not enough water for too short a time. Clearly you know this already. I have made a suggestion why not try it out? It is safer than using stagnation to increase the humidy.

Perhaps you should read the sticky on RI you are walking down the 'petri dish' road.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ons-The-Basics