Help! Can't get the set up correct

[wilwarin712]

Honestly? I think you need a thermostat and maybe a larger wattage UTH.
I think that clearly the carpet or the aspen would work as substrate, but not both.
You could put containers of moss around the cage as well as the moss you have in the hides to help bump the humidity.
Understand that glass tanks are really challenging to get to work and to be a stable environment. Have you read this: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...d.php?t=56846? It is a very good guide for glass tank set-ups.

If all efforts should prove fruitless, might I suggest this: http://www.reptilebasics.com/2x3-Cag...h-p-16286.html.

I might try what you suggested about putting more moss in there until after she sheds. And I realize glass terrariums aren't that great, but I had it left over from a couple failed attempts at keeping fish, as well as some mice for a year or so after that. I figured since I had the tank that I'd use it. I didn't realize I'd have to doctor it so much to get the result I need, but I'll do what I need to to keep my little girl healthy and happy. What would you suggest I switch to when she outgrows the 10 gallon, since using my beardie's soon to be old 20 gallon doesn't seem wise?

[Basketball303]

Another way to keep humidity up and I have recently tried this and it works amazing! is to get a piece of plexi-glass and just put that over 1/2 to 2/3 of the tank (if you don't feel like having it cut for you) mist and watch that humidity rise. I think I got my piece of plexi-glass for like $10 bucks at a hardware store...I tried the foil thing and while it worked, it didn't work the way I wanted it to.

[wilwarin712]

Another way to keep humidity up and I have recently tried this and it works amazing! is to get a piece of plexi-glass and just put that over 1/2 to 2/3 of the tank (if you don't feel like having it cut for you) mist and watch that humidity rise. I think I got my piece of plexi-glass for like $10 bucks at a hardware store...I tried the foil thing and while it worked, it didn't work the way I wanted it to.

Yeah, I read on the tank setup sticky that she uses plexiglass as well. I might look into that cuz it seems like it would work better than the foil method, although I must say that the foil method is a huge improvement over my original setup of nothing extra on the screen.

[Pandora]

I honestly don't understand why you're having such a hard time keeping the humidity in a 10 gallon glass tank. When I had a 10g, all I did was cover 2/3rds the top with a dry towel all the time and it worked fine. Now, I have a 20gal critter cage and I covered 2/3rds the top with tin foil on the back of a piece of cardboard and the humidity is stable with daily misting. I use aspen bedding and have no need for moss or anything.

[wilwarin712]

It could be that my area has less humidity than yours? Or maybe it just needs a little more time to stabalize?

[Basketball303]

That's very possible...however, I'm in Denver which is infamous for having one of the dryest climates around...I have tried using wet paper towels on the bottom/top and keeping a moist towel on the top and the plexiglass has worked best so far. However, your location being Virginia, and having visited there, you should be able to very easily keep the humidity up...if this is your first glass tank and ball python, and from what I've learned (as I have my first ball python as well) it's very much a trial and error process. The only thing you really have to worry about with too much humidity is upper respiratory illness and you do not want any of that mess. So keep trying and you'll find something that works.

[wilwarin712]

Thanks, Bball303, and thanks everyone for your advice/help. I just got Ari out of her tank and she shed successfully, in one whole piece i'll take some pictures now that she's shed so you guys can see her true colors!