Humidity for argentine boa enclosure

[shelly2314]

With the cold front coming in through Florida, it is sucking all of the moisture out of Calliope's tank. I have two water bowls set up in there and spritz all throughout the day, but am having a serious issue keeping the humidity up. Any suggestions???

[nick654377]

What kind of enclosure?

[marvelfreak]

Pictures of you set up would really help us help you.

[shelly2314]

I am on my phone but will post a picture as soon as I can

[marvelfreak]

I am on my phone but will post a picture as soon as I can
OK Cool.:)

[BarelyBreathing]

Seal the enclosure?

[shelly2314]

It is a 55 gallon tank with two hides, aspen shavings, top bar uv lamp, one 150 watt basking lamp, one 60 watt on the other end, two water bowls (one at each end), plus 3-4 long climbing limbs

For night we turn off uv bar and replace two basking lamps with one 150 night bulb and one 100 bulb

[BarelyBreathing]

Aspen shavings are not good substrate for a snake that likes humidity.

[murrindindi]

Hi, does the fishtank have a screen top, because if yes, that`s where all the humidity is going, it will also be difficult to stabilise the temps. I wondered why you needed over 200w of heat bulbs during the day and 250w at night. What`s the usual ambient (air) temp in the room the tank`s in (day and night)? I`m not sure how big in cm or inches a 55gallon tank is?

[nick654377]

i used to have a problem with my glass set up. i switched over to repti bark/eco earth mixture. and put wet dish towels on the top halp of the tank with a piece of glass sitting on top and that kept it right around 60-70%

[shelly2314]

Thanks! It does have a screen top so I'll try the towel deal.

This might sound ignorant...but if you don't have a screened top how does the snake get air? Wouldn't they trap old air in? Just curious as I am new to this

[murrindindi]

Thanks! It does have a screen top so I'll try the towel deal.

This might sound ignorant...but if you don't have a screened top how does the snake get air? Wouldn't they trap old air in? Just curious as I am new to this


Hi again, the towel is basically a waste of time other than very temporarily, you need to cover the screen completely with something solid as I mentioned. Just a few small holes are all that`s needed for air exchange, so if you can drill three or four @ 1/2inch or so in a solid top it should be fine (the top can just fit over the screen).
I need to mention that usually when making vents it`s advised to place them near the bottom on the side/s, that way you won`t lose much heat or humidity, but obviously you can`t do that in a glass fishtank.

[shelly2314]

we went ahead and tried the towel anyways as quick fix. it works great for now but will work on the other later

[jarich]

Murrindindi is right in saying that its in your (and the snakes) best interest to get a solid top cut for the tank. Its simple and will save you a lot of time spraying and money in electricity bills. Having the solid top will reduce the amount of lighting you need to keep the tank warm. Right now all your heat is just going out the screen top. The solid top will trap that warmth inside the tank and youll probably find that all you need is a single 75 watt bulb.

If you want just one more suggestion, Id say ditch your heat lamps and buy a $30 under tank heater. Its a heat pad that goes on the bottom of the tank. It warms from the bottom, so you can have the heat rising from the substrate and lose even less of it out your top. Or you could go one step better and get a radiant heat panel for around $60. They are quite energy efficient compared to other heat sources and again allow you to have a more sealed environment to keep all that heat and humidity inside.

As for the air holes, snakes require very little oxygen and the few holes you provide will be more than enough for them.

[KORBIN5895]

Hi, does the fishtank have a screen top, because if yes, that`s where all the humidity is going, it will also be difficult to stabilise the temps. I wondered why you needed over 200w of heat bulbs during the day and 250w at night. What`s the usual ambient (air) temp in the room the tank`s in (day and night)? I`m not sure how big in cm or inches a 55gallon tank is?

A 55 gallon is 48"w x13"d x18"h or there abouts.

[shelly2314]

This is one before I put in her second hide and more branch

[MoreliAddict]

Careful with the sticky thermometer! I'd remove that ASAP.

Never use anything with tape in your enclosures, accident waiting to happen..

[murrindindi]

This is one before I put in her second hide and more branch


Hi again, is that an analogue thermometer/hygrometer or a digital?

[decesare23]

Hi again, is that an analogue thermometer/hygrometer or a digital?

It is an analog

[decesare23]

Careful with the sticky thermometer! I'd remove that ASAP.

Never use anything with tape in your enclosures, accident waiting to happen..

Forgive my ignorance but like what, exactly?

[decesare23]

Hi, does the fishtank have a screen top, because if yes, that`s where all the humidity is going, it will also be difficult to stabilise the temps. I wondered why you needed over 200w of heat bulbs during the day and 250w at night. What`s the usual ambient (air) temp in the room the tank`s in (day and night)? I`m not sure how big in cm or inches a 55gallon tank is?

During the day a uvb light bar is turned on and usually a 75w bulb is on; however, because of the cold front a higher watt bulb was used. At night, a "night bulb" of 100 watt is used. The length is 4' a foot wide and about 2' tall. The ambient temp is usually 85

[murrindindi]

It is an analog


O.k, in that case you have no idea what the temps and humidity ranges really are, the analogue type can be as much as 15% or more out.
You need a digital thermometer/hygrometer with a probe to give both ambient and surface temps and to check the humidity. When checking surface temps the probe must actually touch the surface of the object.
I believe you can buy the digital type for around $12 U.S, I think from "Walmart"?

[murrindindi]

Forgive my ignorance but like what, exactly?

I think the poster means if the object were to come loose the snake might get caught on the sticky back, it can cause an injury.

[jarich]

O.k, in that case you have no idea what the temps and humidity ranges really are, the analogue type can be as much as 15% or more out.
You need a digital thermometer/hygrometer with a probe to give both ambient and surface temps and to check the humidity. When checking surface temps the probe must actually touch the surface of the object.
I believe you can buy the digital type for around $12 U.S, I think from "Walmart"?

I agree, its best to have a infrared temperature gun as a backup. You can get them on Amazon or at some of the large chain hardware stores; normally about $20 or so. Its a small handheld unit that allows you to just point the laser and get an instant reading for the surface temperature of any object. They are very handy for double checking your gauge to make sure its still accurate.

However, just because its digital doesnt mean its anymore accurate, with hygrometers especially. Ive actually had more digital thermometers go crazy on me than analog, and had about the same of both die on hygrometers. Digital hygrometers commonly have to be recalibrated, especially the cheaper ones. Always good to have a double check of ALL thermometers/hygrometers from time to time.

[shelly2314]

So...we have found what works for us for humidity and temp...somethingthat is strange for me is that Calliope seems to prefer the lower temps. If the tank drops to low 80s on the cooler side, that is where she goes. It is almost as if she avoids anything on the warmer side. Everything I have read about them say they love to bask and soak, but she does NOT seem to like either...weird?:confused:

[jarich]

Every animal seems to have its preferences, youre right. Its just up to us to give them the gradient so they can choose what they need, when they need it. Thankfully they know better than us ;)