Unregulated summer temps and my BCI
So I have my year+ old bci in an AP T8 4x2x1. She is heated with a pro products 75w rhp on a thermostat. I typically have the hot side set at 89 and the cold side ambient hangs at around 78-81. The last couple days have been pretty hot out and I don't have AC in the house. I am off grid and power my house with solar panels and a generator backup so AC is not an option. Her cold side climbed to 83 degrees today.
I know 83 is nothin to worry about but it's only May and I am worried that her cold side will be too hot come August. I bought 150% more eco-earth then is currently in her cage with the thought that the extra substrate would offer her opportunity to burrow in the soil I will moisten with cool water. I also got some sphagnum moss I could soak for her to slither around in. Her water bowl is huge.
My questions: I have read about frozen water bottles and other quick fix solutions in a pinch but prefer a more automated solution so I don't need to be changing out water bottles every time it is hot. Do you think my substrate/moss addition will be sufficient? Or should I add a cabinet fan on a high end thermostat? My thinking being if it gets up to say, 95 degrees, I could have the fan turn on and cause some evaporative cooling from the substrate and water bowl, turning back off at 90. It wouldn't run often and she has the humid hide if the air gets dried out. Any disadvantages of a fan I am not thinking of? I already have my eye on one, but didnt want to spend the money until I heard from you guys it was on ok idea. Is a mister an option for cooling, or is it primarily just for raising humidity?
Thanks so much for reading this novel. Appreciate any advice.
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