Need help with humidity control

Keinelust99 · 04-06-16, 02:06 PM

Hi I need some help and suggestions with humidity control in my
boa's enclosure , I use a radiant heat panel hooked up to a thermostat to keep the enclosure at 86f with the basking spot at 91f ,
the promblem I am having is the humidity it gets to dry in there
I have a cool mist humidifier which I modified to pump into the enclosure
but I have to run it on the lowest setting all the time to keep it between 60% and 70%. I would like to know if you guys can recommend something like a thermostat for the humidity like the herpstat which I could control both
I will be upgrading the enclosure soon to give her more room so I'd like to start buying equipment to prepare for the new one

trailblazer295 · 04-06-16, 08:26 PM

What kind of enclosure? Glass, wood, pvc? What are you using for substrate?

Keinelust99 · 04-06-16, 10:04 PM

enclosure is melamine and sealed , substrate is expensive outdoor carpet

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-07-16, 02:14 PM

Yeah the sort of info trailblazer is asking for will be tremendously helpful, we can't help you with what you've given us.

Keinelust99 · 04-07-16, 03:36 PM

sorry for the huge delay in replying, but I'm new to posting here and all my replys have to checked by a moderator first, so the enclosure is 4 1/2' by 2' by 3' so its 3 feet tall 2 feet depth and 4 and a half foot long, the heat source is a large radiant heat panel the enclosure is melamine and sealed with aquarium silicone with front sliding and locking glass, the substrate is outdoor carpet the thicker kind not the cheap plastic one, I have a few fake plants as she destroys anything real i have tried, the ambiant temperature is 85 to 86 with the basking spot at 90 to 91 . and thank you guys for your replys

Keinelust99 · 04-07-16, 03:45 PM

This is the enclosure

trailblazer295 · 04-07-16, 04:23 PM

Could try putting the water dish under the rhp, that will evaporate more water. Also a moisture holding substrate like cyrpess mulch would help. A automated misting system for a boa would be overkill.

Keinelust99 · 04-07-16, 04:32 PM

ok next time I'm out ill pick up some cypress , I used it in the past but wasn't a big fan
the humidifier is just to keep the humidity proper I'd like it to only come on when it needs the extra boost I try and keep everything at all the proper levels ,I will for sure make some changes on the next enclosure I make. this one suited its purpose but just not big enough anymore

trailblazer295 · 04-07-16, 04:42 PM

I use Cypress for my boa and BP. It requires moistening every few days to a week depending what your home conditions are like. Winter is worse for me, summer I find it's a lot eaiser to maintain.

Keinelust99 · 04-07-16, 04:50 PM

Yeah same thing with me, I'm in Quebec lol

Keinelust99 · 04-07-16, 04:54 PM

what kind of enclosure are you using for your boa if you dont mind me asking?, luckily I am now able to respond faster lol

**Andy_G** · 04-07-16, 05:15 PM

Is that astroturf, Keine? Definitely better alternatives out there.

Also...it is definitely an option to move water under or over a heat source to raise humidity, but this will accelerate micro-organism growth, so be mindful to change your water and clean the dish more frequently if you plan on doing this.

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-07-16, 05:15 PM

I much prefer EcoEarth myself, I can easily keep up 70-80% humidity in my 6'x2'x3' wooden enclosure, but it's way overkill in my T12 PVC enclosures.

So, switch the bedding, maybe block off any extra ventilation, put a bigger water dish, and maybe that will help? ReptiCarpet is hard to sanitize and doesn't do much of anything for humidity.

I did just get cypress mulch for my two new rainbows' tubs because sphagnum moss and EcoEarth are molding, even though I've doubled the air holes. So I guess I'm about to find out how good it is. It's the same sort of wood bedding as ReptiBark, but I'm hoping it holds humidity better. When I used ReptiBark, once it dried from the bag there was no hope for humidity and I often found tiny splinters in my ball python's skin.

trailblazer295 · 04-07-16, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keinelust99

what kind of enclosure are you using for your boa if you dont mind me asking?, luckily I am now able to respond faster lol

48x24x16 pvc snake cage. He is just a little noodle at the moment so years from possibly outgrowing it.

Keinelust99 · 04-07-16, 06:34 PM

I'll give the cypress another try, I just like the carpet because I can switch them out easily so there is no trace of excrement or urine, I found with the cypress you can spot clean but never get out every trace there is always some that will stay. as soon as summer hits I'll be upgrading so there is alot of things I will change, I've had her about 6 years now so I would like to build her the perfect enclosure