Mixing sphagnum moss with substrate?

[AndrewM1217]

After moving my spotted Python from a sterilite tub to a 15gal glass tank with a screen top, I'm having a little difficulty keeping up the humidity. I was considering mixing some moist sphagnum moss into the substrate to help retain some moisture. Also, I have Saran Wrap over one half of the lid, and I intend to get a sheet of plexiglass over the weekend to replace the plastic wrap.

[reptiledude987]

Should be fine I do substrate mixes all the time

[SoPhilly]

Sure, won't hurt anything. You also may want to try covering more than half of the screen top.

[Albert Clark]

Invest in a "versa top" for the glass tank. It will take care of the humidity issue and it will help stabilize your ambient temperatures. They are sold at petland, petsmart and petco.

[AndrewM1217]

Invest in a "versa top" for the glass tank. It will take care of the humidity issue and it will help stabilize your ambient temperatures. They are sold at petland, petsmart and petco.

With an all-glass top like that, would the lack of ventilation then become an issue? It seems like it might cause molding or something if there's no air flow at all

[SoPhilly]

What humidity level are you trying to keep?

[AndrewM1217]

Trying to maintain about 60% humidity

[Princess-dad]

Reticulated Python shedding problems Check my post on this thread .

[lady_bug87]

Invest in a "versa top" for the glass tank. It will take care of the humidity issue and it will help stabilize your ambient temperatures. They are sold at petland, petsmart and petco.

Do you sell these things? This is the third time I've seen you advertising them

[lady_bug87]

There are a few ways to increase humidity:

Bigger water bowl
covering 2/3 of the screen with plexiglass
live plants
better substrate
More misting


Any of those will work

[pinefamily]

We have a glass enclosure with a mesh top (Exo-terra I think). We used silver heat tape to cover most of it. leaving "vents" at the hot and cool ends. We bought the tape at our version of Home Depot.

[Princess-dad]

You forgot a Reptifogger and a humidity controller like the Hygrotherm . Pics of both below and a pic of the Reptifogger fogging my BCI common Boas enclosure . Be aware they are a bit pricey but it keeps the humidity levels pretty constant and the substrate doesn't need to moistened , less chance of mold . One big plus tho is that the Hygrotherm has both a thermostat and a hydrostat combined in one unit . Also pics of lid mod on screen top for corn snakes enclosure and mister . Get a good one .

[jarich]

I don't think I'd recommend a reptifogger to anyone. They pretty typically crap out in a few months and are a pain to run. If you are going for an automated option go for a mistking or similar pump/sprayer option. I think the starter kit is $100 and will last forever.

[Princess-dad]

Yes the fan got noisey almost immediately , and if aloud to run in that state it would of undoubtedly burned up the fogger . I replaced it with this one ,(Dynatron / Top Motor 40x40x10mm 24 Volt High Speed fan #DF244010BHG (http://www.coolerguys.com/840556100607.html)) use distilled water and have had no further problems but if and when it dies it will be replaced with a mister fogger designed for human use . I dont want to squirt water it can cause wet spots in bedding and possible mold problems . I prefer to fog , except right under the outlet it doesn't cause wet spots . To each there own I like the steady humidity levels .

[Mikoh4792]

I mix sphagnum moss with repti-bark. Not for humidity but for aesthetics. I'm sure the moss would help with your needs as well.

When you say you have difficulty keeping the humidity up, what do you mean exactly? What is the humidity without any misting? Does your snake have trouble shedding? If not, your humidity levels may be fine.

[Mikoh4792]

From The Complete Children's Python(cover's all anteresia species)

"The species in this group are very tolerant with regard to ambient humidity. The authors have maintained large colonies of all species within this genus in different regions with ambient humidity levels ranging from as low as 20% to as high as 80% with no apparent negative effects. Even during shed cycles anteresia rarely require supplemental humidity or misting and poor sheds are very rare. Shedding issues are generally the result of over or under heating and can usually be fixed by increasing or lowering the heat. The process of shedding is thermogenic, so the snakes need temperatures suggested in the previous section to aid this process. Because of this, increasing humidity may do little to fix such issues. This tolerance of different environmental factors is another example of the overall hardiness of this group in captivity."