Changing Environment Too Quickly?

[Dev_DeCoste]

So I'm giving up on Aspen for good... And it only took my 80% of a 4 qt bag to do so. Reason being is I have my tank set up exactly as it should, tin foil around 80-90% of the top w an opening only for my infrared, a LOOOOT of moss in there. I have to mist the tank every 2-3 hours just to keep humidity above 50%. Even when I can manage to get it to 60-70 it drops so fast.

So I'm switching to an eco-earth/cypress mulch combo. Having said this I do have some questions... I just changed my BPs substrate 2-3 days ago. When I took him out I noticed very cloudy eyes so I am assuming a shed is very soon to come. I am wondering if taking him out this many times will interfere at all/too much? I just want his overall environment to be right ASAP. I work long days at my job and am a college student. I feel so bad coming home from work, waking up, etc and seeing his tank has pretty much dried out.

Also, when you guys use eco-earth do you mist regularly or do you get the substrate moist somehow before putting the cypress in or something?

Thanks!

[Archimedes]

I would just leave him be until after he sheds-- no handling, no changing his substrate, just let him do his thing. Do your best to keep his humidity up until he's through, then you can give his tank a full clean and change out the substrate. I myself use the Eco-cypress mix and love it, so I hope you do too. It's much easier to maintain proper humidity levels. Remind me, do you have him in a tank or tub?

Edit: the Eco earth usually comes pretty moist if you get it in a bag, I find that's more than enough to start off your levels. If it's in brick form, it's a pain in the butt to separate, because you need to get it REALLY wet to get it to dissolve. Squeezing it out still leaves a lot of moisture, so if you can, I recommend finding a nice sizable bag.

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[Dev_DeCoste]

Okay, cool. Im just worried he'll have a bad shed or problems bc the humidity is so inconsistent. I have a 10G glass tank and I bought the bag of eco earth, not the brick. Im getting the cyprus mulch today and a probed thermometer tomorrow. I already changed the substrate once mid-shed just bc the tank was nasty from that Tropical Mist crap, now the tank looks nice but cant hold moisture for crap

[Crazymonkee]

Yes I agree. Leave him be for now. Definitely buy the bag!!!

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[Archimedes]

For the lid of the tank, do you have any of it covered? For my 40gal, the lid is a bifold hinged screen. I covered the front half of the screen with a layer of seran wrap, then covered the entire sheet with gaffer tape to keep it in place. The seran prevents the tape from coming into contact with anything facing into the enclosure, minimizing the risk of my boy getting stuck, and the tape gives a level of durability that seran does not have on it's own. I have found that it keeps humidity levels ideal, reflecting evaporated moisture back into the tank while still providing circulation via the back half.

Perhaps you could apply a layer like this over your warm side if you still find yourself having to mist more than is convenient. I never really have to mist anymore, if the humidity needs bumped I just stir up the substrate and bring the moisture back up to the top.


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[Dev_DeCoste]

Yup, I have the majority of the mesh screen covered with tin foil and it's basically been turned into one big piece of foil taped to the screen via foil tape.

[Physician&Snakes]

Do not worry about the shedding, my lav retic came in the male in blue and shed the next day without incident...forget a new cage, a new home all together. I buy eco earth or any other coconut coir in bricks because after doing the math I found it cheaper. I simply place it in a bucket of water and let it expand. As soon as it is ready, I place a moderately thick layer (about 1/3 inch) to the tub bottom, I cannot see the bottom, only substrate, then I just put a good two handfuls of fresh Forest floor cypress. Both substrates are very moist by this time, but I still spray the enclosure generously and allow it to sit the night for any planned specimens. I have 6 new tubs coming for me on Thursday, if you want I can video how I set one up and post that day.

[BumbleB]

Try a wet towel across half of the top instead of the foil maybe that'll work better for you. Instead of misting every few hours just make sure the towel stays wet enough.