Need rainbow help quick

default · 04-26-16, 08:51 PM

Hey all, so I am basically new to snakes and got a rainbow this sunday.

I need cheap ideas to increase humidity in the cage. Im working on a cover that isnt mesh (and the plan is to get a plastic vision type cage for the long haul) but I am worried about how low it is (mid 60s).

Im using cypress mulch for substrate and moss for hides until I can get better hides (will keep moss in it), and the cypress is moist but not quite mud.

I was thinking of one of those ultrasonic humidifiers in the tank, but wasnt sure if it would be ok with the snake or not. something like a USB mushroom i saw or those early 2000s lamps that "smoked"

also, can anyone point me at a good plastic cage for Floyd, big enough to hold him when hes grown? Id like to buy the one and be done with cage shopping

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-26-16, 09:21 PM

Try mixing some EcoEarth in with the mulch, I've found it dries quickly on its own, and EE slowly releases humidity.

If you can adequately lower the air flow and increase the amount of humidity being put into the air, you shouldn't need a mister. Misters just throw water onto stuff, it's when water evaporates that you get humidity.

default · 04-26-16, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Try mixing some EcoEarth in with the mulch, I've found it dries quickly on its own, and EE slowly releases humidity.

If you can adequately lower the air flow and increase the amount of humidity being put into the air, you shouldn't need a mister. Misters just throw water onto stuff, it's when water evaporates that you get humidity.

thanks.

upon further investigation, EE is ALL that I have for substrate (dont know where I got cypress...been reading a ton so probably there)

lewis13 · 04-27-16, 11:49 AM

Get a cheap plastic tub from Walmart with locking handles. Drill holes low on the sides and fill with Cyprus mulch. Should take care of most of your humidity problems and it is relatively cheap until you get your vision cage. Another solution would be to cover the screen top with thin plexiglass or aluminum tape to trap moisture and increase humidity. Hope this helps.

Snakesitter · 04-27-16, 02:29 PM

^^ The plexiglass cover is the quick and effective route. Have a local hardware store cut it to the size of the top, and drill only two or three ***small*** holes to start. Holes are easy or add, but tough to take away....

BTW, mid-60s is not a huge crisis level for the short term.

SWDK · 04-27-16, 06:20 PM

You can add a humidity hide to your enclosure. Research them and build on appropriate size for your snake. They work really well. Cheap and easy to build out of a Tupperware container and spaghum moss.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v6M9uo4jX1s

default · 04-27-16, 08:43 PM

i am shocked to say the least

I came home and grabbed a towel to throw over the cage for now, and the humidity SHOT up to around 85! PERFECT!!!

I WILL be looking into a real enclosure soon, so if yall could give suggestions that would be awesome.

default · 04-27-16, 09:27 PM

and for the first time since bringing him home, hes moved out from under the moss and roamed a bit. SWEET.

Thank you all for helping an idiot. Feels so rewarding. Cant wait to feed him friday!

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-27-16, 11:28 PM

If you can afford it, I'd suggest a PVC enclosure. I've got a couple cages from Animal Plastics, and I'm quite happy with them. They're easy to modify and hold in heat and humidity the best out of any enclosure I've ever tried. They're also easy to disassemble, which means it would be a lot easier to transport their cages vs a company that sells their cages in one whole piece (Boaphile is the first to come to mind).

For an adult I'd suggest a T11 or T12 if you go with Animal Plastics, and basking shelves have been greatly appreciated by both my ball python and retic, so getting one included may be a good idea.

These guys grow slowly, so you shouldn't need a full-sized PVC enclosure for a good 1-2 years. If you get a big tub from Wal-Mart or Target in the meantime, it should hold him until he's big enough for his permanent home, without the problems you've encountered in the tank.

Snakesitter · 04-28-16, 02:05 PM

I will second the vote for a PVC enclosure. However, I find the preassembled ones to be a benefit rather than a negative, so like Boaphile over AP -- quicker to set up, stronger as they are one piece, and less places for germs to lurk and multiply in seams. However, you won't go wrong either way.

default · 04-29-16, 07:26 PM

yeah thats the next thing. the plan was to get Floyd and a setup for now, since itll last a while until he needs to go bigger, and slowly buy good stuff like the PVC and such.

On that note, what size should a full grown rainbow need?

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-30-16, 06:22 PM

I would suggest a 4'x2' with 18"-24" of height myself. Rainbows don't get that big usually, so you shouldn't need anything bigger unless you want to provide a bigger cage.

Lefitte · 05-01-16, 06:13 AM

I also agree with the storage bin for now and the pvc for later, it's what I'm doing for my brb. I have an AP cage for my king and I love it. Here's my brb's storage bin and my king's cage. They're nearly the same size. The bin was under $20 for a huge clear Hefty bin with locks on each side. I believe it's like 30x20" where my AP cage is 36x24". He'll be getting a 4x2'

Snakesitter · 05-03-16, 02:01 PM

I use 4x2s with 12" height for all my adults. You can go as low as 3x2s, or one foot of floor space per foot of snake, but I always prefer to give them a bit more.