Why is my humidity so low?

Ray818 · 03-02-13, 08:27 PM

Hello all. I will be getting a Brazilian Rainbow Boa and they require a humidity level of about 90%. I hooked up a humidifier to my 60 gallon tank to make the job easier, however my tank gets completely wet (Pictures Attached) and the tank is barely reading 88%. I have two gauges (1 digital and 1 analog) and it is unlikely that they would both be defective. About 3/4 of the top is covered with plexiglass. I dont think the tank should be getting this wet. Can you guys help me find out what im doing wrong?

Heating: 250 watt Ceramic Heater
Humidity: Humudifier, ran a hose to the tank
Substrate: Moss

Gravelanche · 03-02-13, 08:38 PM

its not that they are defective, a lot of them lose their sensitivity after the 90% mark. also you dont nescessarily need the WHOLE tank to be that crazy wet, as long as she has a nice moist hide and a big water bowl to soak in she will be happy. keep it night and high of course, but no need to panic if its a little lower than 90 on the dial.

also that much mist is going to soak deep into the substrate, when she crawls around it will be plenty damp. there are more experts on here to follow im sure, but i wouldnt panic

Corey209 · 03-02-13, 08:38 PM

Looks like you're trying to grow mold o.o

Gravelanche · 03-02-13, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

Looks like you're trying to grow mold o.o

give it a day, he will have succeeded lol

Corey209 · 03-02-13, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

Looks like you're trying to grow mold o.o

In all seriousness I'd watch out with the humidity, even at 90% you can see the air. If you make it way too moist you can give your snake RI.

Jeepers · 03-02-13, 09:31 PM

That's way... way too wet... and are you using straight up moss for substrate? I wouldn't really recommend that... For something more aesthetically pleasing, you could go with reptibark, ecoearth, etc., just be mindful of accidental ingestion of large pieces of wood. With that high humidity, such substrate can be a problem as it would facilitate the growth of mold and other harmful bacteria.

Moist paper towels can also work, should you find yourself having problems with regular substrate.

As far as keeping humidity up, try placing a wet towel over the top instead of plexiglass. I found this always worked wonderfully. Just keep in mind that you MUST let the humidity drop over the course of a few days afterwards. Otherwise you will have some serious mold and bacteria issues that are very unhealthy for your snake. Let it drop to about 60% before redoing everything(misting, wetting the towel, etc.).

Also, as stated above, a nice humidity hide works well. For mine I used a container with a hole cut into it, some chunks of sphagnum moss inside it, and very shallow water to keep the moss nice and moist.

Before I forget, 90% is actually a bit on the high side.. I kept mine between 80% - 85%.

Gravelanche · 03-02-13, 09:36 PM

i have been doing a lot of reading and research on this subject, as a general guide, aim to have the humidity reasonably high, make sure the snake has a big water bowl to soak in, and put some moss in the hide and mist it. the snake will seek out the best place for itself, if slightly lower humidity were dangerous the species would have died out milenia ago.

Jeepers · 03-02-13, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravelanche

i have been doing a lot of reading and research on this subject, as a general guide, aim to have the humidity reasonably high, make sure the snake has a big water bowl to soak in, and put some moss in the hide and mist it. the snake will seek out the best place for itself, if slightly lower humidity were dangerous the species would have died out milenia ago.

Very true but allowing the humidity to fluctuate is very important. It happens in the wild, for them, and it's a necessity in captivity.

Mine did have a large 'pool' of water to soak in completely, so that is true. It was fairly shallow water, but enough to submerge himself.

KORBIN5895 · 03-02-13, 09:54 PM

Your problem is the 250w bulb. That is going to create a vacuum that draws all of the moisture out of the air. Hence why your substrate is wet but you aren't reading 100% humidity.

As for substrate use cocohusk as it doesn't mold.

Jeepers · 03-02-13, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Your problem is the 250w bulb. That is going to create a vacuum that draws all of the moisture out of the air. Hence why your substrate is wet but you aren't reading 100% humidity.

As for substrate use cocohusk as it doesn't mold.

Really?... Maybe that's why I haven't had substrate problems in forever. I started using Cocohusk, after using Reptibark unsuccessfully, years ago and never had a problem. I just knew it held humidity well, but didn't know that about it. Learn something new every day.

Ray818 · 03-03-13, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Your problem is the 250w bulb. That is going to create a vacuum that draws all of the moisture out of the air. Hence why your substrate is wet but you aren't reading 100% humidity.

As for substrate use cocohusk as it doesn't mold.

This seems to be the most accurate answer. Because as soon as i turn off the lamp, the humidity will jump high and maintain the same till i turn the lamp back on, then it will lower again. However, the tank is pretty big, and i dont know what else will be able to raise the temperature to 83F.

Corey209 · 03-03-13, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray818

This seems to be the most accurate answer. Because as soon as i turn off the lamp, the humidity will jump high and maintain the same till i turn the lamp back on, then it will lower again. However, the tank is pretty big, and i dont know what else will be able to raise the temperature to 83F.

You really shouldn't have a problem with a large heat mat unless your house is below freezing.

Ray818 · 03-04-13, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

You really shouldn't have a problem with a large heat mat unless your house is below freezing.

Would i be putting the heat mat under the tank? I remember reading something about that being dangerous somehow.

KORBIN5895 · 03-04-13, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray818

What type of rhp do you thing i should get? Size? A link would be nice if possible.

I haven't really seen them in stores...

Also when you say completely cover, doesn't the snake need air ventilation?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray818

Would i be putting the heat mat under the tank? I remember reading something about that being dangerous somehow.

With either heat source you need a thermostat to be safe.

As for covering the top you would need to drill a few air holes in the Plexiglas.

I am unsure of what brands there are or even what one I use. I currently have a 30w heating a 48"x18"x24" glass terrarium.

KORBIN5895 · 03-04-13, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray818

This seems to be the most accurate answer. Because as soon as i turn off the lamp, the humidity will jump high and maintain the same till i turn the lamp back on, then it will lower again. However, the tank is pretty big, and i dont know what else will be able to raise the temperature to 83F.

I would completely cover the top with Plexiglas, switch to cocohusk and get a radiant heat panel. Those three steps should solve the current issue.