Humidity??

[sam4snakes]

What is better to raise the humidity in a 5'x2'x2' glass fronted and topped cage? I am looking at a misting system($99 from Big Apple) or a fogger(about $40 from Big Apple) Which will give more humidity?
Thanks
Sam

[jwsporty]

I have a fogger that does a pretty decent job of bringing up the humidity in a 33 gal. tank. Normally from about 45% to 80% in about 5 minutes. Granted your enclosure is larger, it may take a little longer to get there. Hope that helps. What's in the tank?
Jim

[sam4snakes]

I think I am going to try the fogger. I have a rainbow boa in the cage and am in the process of deciding on my what will be my second snake(I have another cage just like the first)

[Invictus]

Put a bowl of water either right below an overhead heat source or right over an undertank heat source. You'll have 80 - 100% humidity within a few hours.

[jwsporty]

Invictus,

I was warned against using that method months ago. As warmed water can be a major source of bacterial infection. Extra water does work, but place it in the cool zone only

Jim

[Yve]

jwsporty...if you change the water every day or second day would this still be considered a possible problem?....I've put water over a Uth for a couple of years now and haven't had any negative results...but I do change the water often, maybe if you let it sit for too long it'll be a breeding ground but then again, wouldn't it evaporate to quick for that as well? I find it a very effective and cheap way to keep humidity up and if its really dry(winter months) I'll spray the tank every other day and also throw some damp sphagnum moss in there.

[Invictus]

If you use a smallish bowl of water, it will be completely evaporated in 3 days, which is not enough time for it to even develop mold. If you place extra water in the cool area, it can't evaporate to create humidity.

[jwsporty]

Hey Yves,
If you are religious about the daily water changes then you probably would be ok, however, chlorine and chloramine both gas off from city main water in 24 hours in a volume of 20 liters, after that it could be fair game for bacterial growth. In smaller volumes the off-gassing would occur much faster. Does it mean the chlorine and chloramine are still present and doing there job? Heating water is known to accelerate the off-gassing process , but if it is not done to boiling temperatures will still leave bacteria in the water.

As you would never bring a UTH up to those temps, it stands to reason that the temperature is in the ripe zone for bacterial growth It's hard to say, but what if the snake decides to defecate or urinate in the water and then soak in it? Obviously you can't stop them from doing this but if the temps are up, what true effects are occuring on the snake.

Misting and fogging and Spaghnum Moss are all methods and I use them all when needed. I suppose the other thing you could do is deny access to the heated water by putting a screen over the bowl as an added precaution.

Invictus: Mold wouldn't be the only issue, it's the micro-organisms to be concerned about and evaporation would still occur even in the cool zone as that temp would be normally around room temp or slightly higher.

Until I feel comfortable doing otherwise, I'll stick to the "better safe then sorry" method, with cool water and regular poop and scoop and daily water changes. There's my .02


Jim