Problem with light...causing problems with heat/humidity

[imh0813]

my bp setup is in a 10 gallon terrarium right now. I am having a problem with humidity/temperature. Basically the problem is if I put the daylight bulb on it gets the temperature just right, but really takes away the humidity. Now if I don't put the light on, the temperature doesn't really get over 75-78 degrees, but the humidity stays perfect. I now have a humidifier in my bedroom which seems to help, but with the light on it still drops the humidity. Any suggestions/help? Misting the cage only keeps the humidity up for a few minutes btw.

[imh0813]

Also, I am using a 50W light bulb. Would switching to a 40W bulb have any effect?

[Kaorte]

1. Get a UTH with a thermostat
if it still isn't warm enough then get a Ceramic Heat emitter. It gives off heat, but no light.

[DutchHerp]

1. Get a UTH with a thermostat
if it still isn't warm enough then get a Ceramic Heat emitter. It gives off heat, but no light.

Still sucks humidity out.

[Argentra]

Ok, the best way to heat any snake enclosure is with a UTH, or Under Tank Heater. Light from above is for lizards and other basking reptiles, and only sucks the moisture out of a BP tank.

Get a UTH or Flexwatt heat tape sized for your tank and a good thermostat. These will be the most expensive, but most needed, items for your snake. If you still need/want the bulb (for ambient temp boosts or viewing) make sure to raise it at least 8" above the top of the tank and use no higher than a 50w bulb.

Also, make sure the back and sides of the tank are covered and insulated and that your screen top is foil or plexiglass treated to keep humidity and heat in.

[disabled.101]

Change substrate to one that holds moisture better? Also add Sphagnum moss or coconut in the cage for extra humidity

[DutchHerp]

I second that. Sphagnum moss does wonders for me.

And to Argentra, RHPs don't suck humidity out and they work fine in snake enclosures...

[Argentra]

OOps... I forgot about RHPs since A) I don't have any, and B) they're rather expensive. But yes, they do work just fine for snake enclosures.

[DutchHerp]

For me, personally, heat pads don't heat the air well at all in glass tanks. If you have the money I'd probably invest in an RHP, since I don't see any other solution except to heat the room... you can always try to insulate the back and sides and the top of the cage

[micbrown]

sorry, but I am new & having similar issues. What is RHP?