Thank you for the advice. How much of the top do I need to leave open for proper air exchange? I have a light on each side of the tank (although maybe after covering I won't need both), if i leave a hole slightly larger than the the hood for each would that be enough or should I poke a few more holes. I will try the other substrate as well. I was really hoping putting the water dish over the heater would do the trick. The humidity will go up to 50-60% after I mist but quickly returns to the 30-40 % range. i've even contemplated putting a wet sponge. On top of one of the hides or something. I put in a terra cotto pot to use as one of the hides, and I put some moss in as part of the substrate there which I wet every day. I'm hoping that I have at least created a humid hide that she can go to. I also saw a programmable mister that you can put in the tank. I assumed it was for more tropical species like chameleons and such but under the circumstances maybe it would be worth a look.