Humidity too high?!?

[Dumdum333]

The humidity in the tank is around 77%. Tank is fairly well ventilated, has a small water bowl, and the correct temp. I have no idea how to lower the humidity. The humidity in the room is about 49%.
Could it be the substrate? I'm using "rainforest bark", which looks like orchid bark. Am quite worried so please help

[BPGator]

That's not too high. Is this a glass tank? It probably is the substrate and it will dry up over time and the humidity will go down. What you don't want is excessive humidity that leads to condensation, as that can foster mold growth.


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[shadow reaper]

I have a glass tank and when I first set everything up my humidity was around 75% and I was pleased as could be. Within a week I got the temperatures set and the high temps of 80/90 dried things out quickly.

I now average around 50% I say average because without regular misting the humidity drops to 45% and for a couple hours after misting it hits 60+%

[Dumdum333]

it's a plastic container inside a larger wooden vivarium with glass sliding doors. BP's still only 3 months, so the breeder recommended keeping him in the smaller one for a few more months. The temp is already at around 81, with 90 in the hot spot, and has been for about 4 days. So should I be patient and wait for it to dry? I really dont wanna move the BP as I had to shift him around in the first few days so I need him to relax and get to know the enclosure

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I'm using a heat lamp as well (infrared) which i though was supposed to dry the enclosure out
and the humidity is now at 85

[shadow reaper]

This is much more anecdotal than sage advice, but I'd say give it time, it will dry out. Your setup sounds like it is more apt to hold humidity than mine, but regardless it should go down with time. From my research, unless you start to see condensation, your humidity is ok.

[Dumdum333]

the substrate is piled quite high, and the only condensation is between the substrate and the plastic, rather than the air and the plastic.
Could it have anything to do with the fact that every night when exploring the bp soaks itself and then spills water onto the bark?

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thank you so much for helping by the way

[shadow reaper]

From what I've read, the substrate should only be between 1 and 2 inches deep. If there is much more than that, that is probably why it is holding the moisture and potentially preventing proper under belly heat. Not sure how big your bowl to cage ratio is, but I know I have a huge water dish and if I took the whole thing and turned it upside down, it still wouldn't soak all his substrate.

[Dumdum333]

yeah it's probably at 1 inch, so not too deep
the hygrometer is now saying 92 and i am so confused

[Dumdum333]

ok surely if the humidity was 93 then it would be super loads of condensation? I'm beginnning to think the stupid thing is broken (even though it's reading the temp correctly)

[Dumdum333]

hey guys really hoping someone can help me out here as its quite late and the shops have closed so cant call the breeder
when i put the hygrometer under the heat lamp it went to 57 (and was still falling) then when i shifted it literally 15 cm to the right it went to 96
does this just mean it's faulty or is that possible. pleeeeease help me out i'm literally freaking