Humidity drops with ecoearth - doing something worng?

[NewHerp293]

Now im just a beginner so take this for what it is...how often are you changing out substrate completely and/or parts of it? I know you just switched substrates, but other than a little maintenance for feces it seems you shouldn't really have to be messing with it at all. Also my snake requires relatively low humidity so this isnt an issue ive had to deal with

[kiiarah]

Well apart from spot cleaning, the entire tank is emptied and sanitized once a month. I was nervous about making the soil too damp but oddly enough the humidity only went to about 75% after dampening almost all of it. This morning, 8 hours later it is at 57% so it actually appears to be working.

I am thinking maybe with just misting heavily the humidity in the air was shooting really high, but of course only lasting a short time. Keeping the soil damp seems to keep the humidity release into the air more gradual, so for right now anyway it's looking much much better.

[pet_snake_78]

I just put in a second deli cup with water, that gives me 10% more humidity with a pvc enclosure. I use heat tape though which doesn't seem to dry out environments too bad.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by kiiarah

Well apart from spot cleaning, the entire tank is emptied and sanitized once a month. I was nervous about making the soil too damp but oddly enough the humidity only went to about 75% after dampening almost all of it. This morning, 8 hours later it is at 57% so it actually appears to be working.

I am thinking maybe with just misting heavily the humidity in the air was shooting really high, but of course only lasting a short time. Keeping the soil damp seems to keep the humidity release into the air more gradual, so for right now anyway it's looking much much better.

Yeah, EcoEarth does best when it's the source of humidity, and is being heated up to release moisture. You get all that water in the bedding to provide moisture rather than the small bit you spray into the air. Sounds like you have your humidity about where you need it now, just keep an eye on it. I usually re-wet it once it's completely dry or almost completely dry. Letting it go through cycles will keep mold from growing.

[kiiarah]

Hey everyone, just wanted to update this thread. The dampened substrate has been working marvelously. Seems that the substrate needs water added every few days, but with the heat lamp running that is understandable I think. I have been misting the surface after the rest is dampened as the surface dries out and it has been working very well. It has still required extra misting the last week or so because he is in a shed cycle and it doesn't like to stay as high as the 70% I have been aiming for. Luckily there is a big storm moving through so for the last three days the humidity has been naturally around 65-70%. Maybe I just need to move somewhere like Seattle lol. I feel at this point like if he has any issues shedding it won't be due to any issues with husbandry, everything has gone very well so far this time. Thank you all for your suggestions, I think he is a happy comfortable snake finally.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Glad to hear everything's doing well now! Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.