How do I keep my BP's cage humid? - Page 3

Mikoh4792 · 06-03-13, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

He has the tank, and the snake, so a bunch of "I told you so" probably isnt going to help. There is nothing wrong with using glass, and its not at all difficult to adapt the lid.

To the OP, after what you have already bought, the only other thing you need to buy is another hide for the cool side. (the cave type hides are better than the half log style ones as they like it dark and tight during the day while they are sleeping) That way you have a hide on the hot and cool sides. You can simply cover the screen top with a piece of wood or plexiglass and that will solve your humidity and heating problems. If you are still having a problem with humidity, buy a live plant, like a pothos, and put the entire thing with the pot inside the tank. It will increase the humidity and also give more ground cover for your snake to feel secure.

Basically this. I don't know if you already have a thermostat but you will want to get one of those if you don't already have one. Leaving your heat source on without any kind of controller can cause over heating.

You don't even need to get wood or plexiglass. Anything that can cover the screen top sufficiently will do.

ErikBush97 · 06-03-13, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

You already have a 20 gallon tank and an UTH. Glass enclosures are not good snake enclosures becuase people don't know how to make them good snake enclosures. Just cover the 3 sides of the tank and put something over the screen top to retain heat and humidity. You don't need to go out and buy another enclosure for it.

Glass tank
3 sides covered
UTH on thermostat
Screen top covered
Large water dish
Spray water occasionally

Can you just answer this question please. Which gauges are you using? It could just be that your humidity levels are fine but your gauges are inaccurate. It's not hard to keep humidity levels for a BP unless you dry the air out with a heat lamp or leave the screen top uncovered.

It's a zilla temp/humidity gauge that came with the tank.

Mikoh4792 · 06-03-13, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

It's a zilla temp/humidity gauge that came with the tank.

I wouldn't rely on those. The cheap stick on gauges bought from pet stores are usually inaccurate or stop working.

In my experience, the only ones bought from pet stores that have been fairly accurate are the zoomed digital thermometer and fluker's digital thermometer/hydrometer.

Amazon.com: Zoo Med Digital Terrarium Thermometer: Pet Supplies

Amazon.com: Fluker's Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer: Pet Supplies

I use both along with Accurite Thermometer/Hydrometers. A lot of people seem to like these

Amazon.com: AcuRite 00325 Home Comfort Monitor, Black: Home & Kitchen

These have probes so you can place them in more precise locations such as inside a hide or inside the substrate...etc

AcuRite Digital Thermometer with Temperature Sensor Probe and Humidity / Clock 00891W3

ErikBush97 · 06-03-13, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

He has the tank, and the snake, so a bunch of "I told you so" probably isnt going to help. There is nothing wrong with using glass, and its not at all difficult to adapt the lid.

To the OP, after what you have already bought, the only other thing you need to buy is another hide for the cool side. (the cave type hides are better than the half log style ones as they like it dark and tight during the day while they are sleeping) That way you have a hide on the hot and cool sides. You can simply cover the screen top with a piece of wood or plexiglass and that will solve your humidity and heating problems. If you are still having a problem with humidity, buy a live plant, like a pothos, and put the entire thing with the pot inside the tank. It will increase the humidity and also give more ground cover for your snake to feel secure.

Hey, man. Thanks for the reply, and for the info.
I have two hides, as suggested. And I'll definitely check out some plants. But one question; wouldn't putting plexi or wood over the screen displace the air, and eventually suffocate the snake?

Mikoh4792 · 06-03-13, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

Hey, man. Thanks for the reply, and for the info.
I have two hides, as suggested. And I'll definitely check out some plants. But one question; wouldn't putting plexi or wood over the screen displace the air, and eventually suffocate the snake?

You aren't supposed to cover the whole thing. just leave enough room for the heat lamp and if you aren't going to use your heat lamp at all then I would say 3/4 covered is fine. There still needs to be ventilation so covering the whole top would do no good. And if that didn't suffocate the snake, the air would still become stagnant, mold could grow...etc.

ErikBush97 · 06-03-13, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

You aren't supposed to cover the whole thing. just leave enough room for the heat lamp and if you aren't going to use your heat lamp at all then I would say 3/4 covered is fine. There still needs to be ventilation so covering the whole top would do no good. And if that didn't suffocate the snake, the air would still become stagnant, mold could grow...etc.

Thanks for the info, man.

Mikoh4792 · 06-03-13, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

Thanks for the info, man.

No problem. Let us know how everything works out.

By the way is the UTH hooked up to a thermostat?

Terranaut · 06-03-13, 04:35 PM

IMHO ....You should return everything they sold you and complain that they sold you a setup for a corn not a python. Buy a rubbermade tub. If you want to see your snake use the plexi you would have put over your screen as a window in the side of the tub. Get a uth and a thermostat. This setup is cheap and far superior to where you are going with yours.

A little "I told you so" IS appropriate here. Next time listen to us...not some kid at petsmart who knows nothing. They sold you stuff that will actually harm your snake if used as they suggest and your going to keep it? No way I would. I am sorry if I am blunt but everything I told you was accurate and a glass tank with a light is not ok for a royal. Tge people who make it work have spent more on fixing it than they did on the original setup. The most important part of your enclosure is having a heat source on a thermostat anf the didn't sell you one?....and you goi g to modify their error as opposed to listening to royal keepers here? Come on man

LadyWraith · 06-03-13, 04:46 PM

I agree 100% with Terranaut on this, just from personal experience. A fish tank is not really an efficient setup... I could NEVER keep humidity consistent, even with lid fixes etc. It took switching to a utility shelf, a 32 qt tub, and Flexwatt on a thermostat to achieve consistent temps and humidity. It's not fun having to mist this, cover that every day in the battle against low humidity.

smy_749 · 06-03-13, 05:13 PM

Keep the setup, put something appropriate in it. You most likely will wish you had it in the future, I always do. Put it to the side, and put the BP in a proper setup like that which was described here. Win win situation.

Terranaut · 06-03-13, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

Keep the setup, put something appropriate in it. You most likely will wish you had it in the future, I always do. Put it to the side, and put the BP in a proper setup like that which was described here. Win win situation.

This is not a bad plan at all. You most likely will buy another snake. We all do

now if it is a colubrid your good to go. That set up is fine for 90% of them.

Seriously get a proper setup for a royal. Constant misting, respiratory infections and bad sheds will just be frustrating and not an enjoyable experience for you or your snake.
This is cheap but I would use reptibark or cypress

ErikBush97 · 06-03-13, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

No problem. Let us know how everything works out.

By the way is the UTH hooked up to a thermostat?

No. I am watching the temps inside the cage, though. what do you mean "hooked up" to the UTH?

ErikBush97 · 06-03-13, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

IMHO ....You should return everything they sold you and complain that they sold you a setup for a corn not a python. Buy a rubbermade tub. If you want to see your snake use the plexi you would have put over your screen as a window in the side of the tub. Get a uth and a thermostat. This setup is cheap and far superior to where you are going with yours.

A little "I told you so" IS appropriate here. Next time listen to us...not some kid at petsmart who knows nothing. They sold you stuff that will actually harm your snake if used as they suggest and your going to keep it? No way I would. I am sorry if I am blunt but everything I told you was accurate and a glass tank with a light is not ok for a royal. Tge people who make it work have spent more on fixing it than they did on the original setup. The most important part of your enclosure is having a heat source on a thermostat anf the didn't sell you one?....and you goi g to modify their error as opposed to listening to royal keepers here? Come on man

Okay... It's getting pretty hard to keep up with everyone at this point.
Here's a setup update:
Glass Terrarium (Will change to a tub if needed)
One 5.0 UVB bulb (in fixture)
One UTH.
One side is 80-85 degrees, the other is 70-75.
Two hides
One water bowl
Some fake plants, one Pothos
According to the gauge, the humidity is fluctuating between 45-60% through out the day. And just one question, man. If I already have a terrarium, with correct heat/humidity, is it necessary to buy a tub? If you say yes, I will. It just doesn't really make sense. I'm not going to be stupid, and be like "Whatever!" if you say a tub is absolutely necessary, but I'd like to know why it is first.

valid · 06-03-13, 11:58 PM

You plug your UTH into the Thermostat and it regulate temps for you. It is very difficult to maintain temperatures with out one, regardless how often you check. I had one break o me, as as I live is a very arid dry area the temps in my tank rose very quickly (not sure where you live) - it caused my snake a lot of stress and more harm than anything trying to regulate the temps until I could get a replacement. They not 'cheap' but pretty much a one time deal and 100% worth the fee (and necessary). It just makes life easier for every one.

ErikBush97 · 06-04-13, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

This is not a bad plan at all. You most likely will buy another snake. We all do

now if it is a colubrid your good to go. That set up is fine for 90% of them.

Seriously get a proper setup for a royal. Constant misting, respiratory infections and bad sheds will just be frustrating and not an enjoyable experience for you or your snake.
This is cheap but I would use reptibark or cypress

I am using reptibark, and I am misting 3-5 times a day.
I made a video of his/her setup, because (for me) it's a lot harder to type every little detail and to show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcUpb9Emz_4