Good Idea? Bad Idea?

[Funky#2]

Like most people who don't keep their bp in a tub we struggle with keeping good humidity levels. Since bp's spend 90% of their day in a hide, we decided to focus more on maintaining good humidity levels within the hide (not to say we're disregarding the outside of the hide) So we cut up a sponge, attached it to the inside of the hide, put a hygrometer under it to test it out, and it seems to work pretty well. We haven't put it in the tank yet, is there any reason this would be a bad idea?

[filly77]

thats a good idea, only thing i'd worry about is the sponge holding germs/bacteria. I nuke ours before I use them to wash the dishes, if the hide & adhesive you used can hold up to a microwave, it might work! As I wouldn't want to chance cleaning it w/ soaps/chemicals, I imagine it might be hard to rinse it as thoroughly as you'd need to. But... I could be wrong? lol

[anendeloflorien]

The only problem with using a sponge like that is they can become breeding grounds for bacteria very quickly. Most people recommend using damp spaghnum moss for a humid hide like that. It's easily replaceable and as far as I know is harder for bacteria and such to take hold in. Whenever any of my BPs are going into shed I use a small tupperware with a layer of damp spaghnum moss in the bottom for them to utilize as a humid hide. I believe there is a sticky somewhere in regards to making one.

[waltah!]

I would recommend moss as well. The sponge would work in theory, but you would have a problem with bacteria growth.

[missi182]

BACTERIA! Your best bet if you want to go that route is some sphagnum moss. But honestly I think its much easier to either buy a humidifier or seal the top of your tank well.

[ohyeahnow]

Sphagnum moss is going to be much more resistant to bacteria. Have you tried using aspen and misting it? It holds humidity pretty well. Using aspen and daily mistings, my aquarium with the top partially covered maintains correct humidity. I add a humid hide with sphagnum every time my BP is getting ready to shed, and have never had a bad shed using these methods. Your innovation is very clever, my only concern would be that of other posters; bacteria.

[anendeloflorien]

Also another thing you might try before going with the sponges is Zilla (I think) makes a substrate that is a fir and spaghnum moss mix. When I had my BP in a tank that worked wonders as far as keeping humidity up. Plus it looks a lot better than aspen (in my mind). I also had a cover on most of the lid.

[Argentra]

Hmm.. do you have your screen top foil treated? It always helps with humidity issues.

As for a hide solution, sphagnum moss is the better choice.

[Rapture]

Hate to be a broken record, but I'd also just shove some damp moss in the hide instead of using the sponge. Cypress mulch also holds moisture well and is mold resistant.

[Funky#2]

I guess we'll get some sphagnum moss.

Thanks for the info.