HELP unhealthy heat and humidity problem

[Freakie_frog]

:rip: Ok I have a 20 gal long tank with three lights two for the day adn one red night light to keep his temp up. My question is that my humidity is low so I cover the top it get up to like 55% to 60% great right but the temp get like 100 plus on the hot side and like 88 or so on the cool side. But if I take the cover off the temps get right and the humidity drops to like 40%. Both of these are not healthy for my little guy how can I fix it.. PLEASE HELP

[mlededee]

are you using a heat pad? it sounds like maybe you should go the heat pad route instead of using the lights. lights really suck out all of the humidity. if you need to use a light in addition to the heating pad, i would just use the red light. cover the top in saran wrap or contact paper and cut a hole just big enough for your lamp with the red bulb in it. you can also try the diy humid hide and/or humidifier.

[Marla]

Yup, that's definitely too hot, and if you do away with one or both of those lights you may find you're back where you need to be.

[Freakie_frog]

will just having the heat pad keep it at 90 on the hot side ???

[mlededee]

i use only a heat pad and it keeps it plenty warm on the hot side. i keep it set on either low or medium and i use a thermostat with it because my apt. tends to warm up during the day with the sun coming in the windows and it was actually getting too hot in the tank. i have a red infrared bulb that i plan to use in the winter only if i need it. otherwise the heat pad keeps it more than warm enough. it partially depends on what size tank you are using though--if your tank is really big you may need to use both the pad and the light together.

[Freakie_frog]

Ok I'll try that and see today is feed day so I will try and get some pics of my set up and a good feeding to post. Oh one last thing I dont have a human heat pad it's just one of the Zoo med or flukers ones but its big like it cover 1/3 of the bottom of the tank should I get a human one with a thremostat.

[mlededee]

you can use the heat pad you already have with a thermostat. no need to get another one if you are getting the thermostat.

[elevatethis]

I have ONE 50w night bulb that keeps my temps at 92/78. I can't see why you would need that many lights....

[Freakie_frog]

all very good sugestions I will try anything that works so I'll start with covering the top reducing the number of lights and see how that works thanks for the help

[mlededee]

let us know how it works out and if you have any more questions.