Should I move my BP to a tub?

[llohcs1]

I have a female Pastel Jungle Ball Python, and I don't feel as though she's getting enough humidity in her 20 gallon (screen top). She's only about 16", so I was wondering if I should move her to a tub, if so, can anyone tell me how to set up a tub that'll be warm and humid enough?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Welcome to the site!

What are your current cage temperatures and humidity? How are you heating the cage and measuring temperatures? What is the temperature of the room that the cage is in?

It may be easier to just change a few things on your tank than to switch to a tub depending on the things I listed above.

[Trackstrong83]

Tubs are much easier to maintain than a tank, but I've heard people that can do just fine with a tank. If the benefit of setting up the tub is easier than maintaining the tank, switch to the tub. Tubs are great

[Tigerhawk]

Yes I agree, I can clean three tubs in the time it takes to clean out one tank. If you switch to a tub, you will be surprised at how quick they are to maintain .

[llohcs1]

Welcome to the site!

What are your current cage temperatures and humidity? How are you heating the cage and measuring temperatures? What is the temperature of the room that the cage is in?

It may be easier to just change a few things on your tank than to switch to a tub depending on the things I listed above.

Thank you! My tank's temperature stays between 82-85 and I have no hygrometer, but, my friend told me that it's not humid enough for her, and told me tubs are easier for keeping humidity. I'm heating the cage with a heat lamp 75 watt day bulb, and at night 75 watt black night bulb, and I had a thermometer, but, that just broke today... And my room (where I keep her) never drops below 75. And I use a mister once-twice a day.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Thank you! My tank's temperature stays between 82-85 and I have no hygrometer, but, my friend told me that it's not humid enough for her, and told me tubs are easier for keeping humidity. I'm heating the cage with a heat lamp 75 watt day bulb, and at night 75 watt black night bulb, and I had a thermometer, but, that just broke today... And my room (where I keep her) never drops below 75. And I use a mister once-twice a day.

It's really a toss up. Tanks are easier to heat, but tubs are easier to maintain humidity.

Tubs also require you to use a thermostat to control the heat source (a under tank heater) A thermostat is going to run you at least $30, but a good one is around $100.

Cheap Thermostat: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Mid-Range Thermostat: http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermos...stat-prewired/

High Quality Thermostat: http://www.spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

A tub setup is simple, all you need is 1 or 2 hides, a water dish, some form of substrate (paper towels/newspaper/aspen/eco-earth/etc. The one requirement is that you keep the substrate layer thin, 1/2" thick or less), a Under Tank Heater (UTH), a thermostat, and a probed thermometer (see below)

I recommend you get this thermometer regardless which cage style you go with.



You can get these at Walmart for $12. They measure 2 temperatures and humidity.

There are some simple/cheap ways to maintain humidity in a tank. You can:

1. Switch substrates to something that holds moisture in better

2. Cover 70%-80% of the top of the tank with aluminum foil

3. Get a bigger water dish

4. Mist daily

[MsMissy]

Thank you! My tank's temperature stays between 82-85 and I have no hygrometer, but, my friend told me that it's not humid enough for her, and told me tubs are easier for keeping humidity. I'm heating the cage with a heat lamp 75 watt day bulb, and at night 75 watt black night bulb, and I had a thermometer, but, that just broke today... And my room (where I keep her) never drops below 75. And I use a mister once-twice a day.

I've recently discovered that those black night bulbs seriously zap your humidity and gave my boy his red bulb back. From experience with living in a very dry locale, the tanks are somewhat difficult to set up for optimum humidity, but once done, no problem at all. I won't switch to tubs as I never plan to have a collection that large <plans could change and will deal with that then.>.

Aaron's suggestions up there are probably the only reason I still have hair so I suggest all the same stuff he does. I added a terra cotta dish filled with eco earth, buried in the substrate, that I can simply add water too when it gets supper dry.

[llohcs1]

I recommend you get this thermometer regardless which cage style you go with.

You can get these at Walmart for $12. They measure 2 temperatures and humidity.

There are some simple/cheap ways to maintain humidity in a tank. You can:

1. Switch substrates to something that holds moisture in better

2. Cover 70%-80% of the top of the tank with aluminum foil

3. Get a bigger water dish

4. Mist daily

Alright, I'll make sure to go pick one up, thanks for all the info!