paper towel substrate and humidity

**millertime89** · 10-18-11, 09:18 PM

I'm making the switch from cyprus mulch to paper towels as the substrate in my viv for my BRB. Regardless of why (another discussion), I've noticed that the viv dries out much quicker than it did with cyprus. I've only done half the viv (long story)and am having problems keeping it humid. I didn't have this problem before making the switch, and I'm wondering what some of you guys are doing to keep the humidity up when using paper towels? If I can't get the humidity to stay in the 70% range I'll probably switch back to the mulch. Room humidity is around 50% which is what the tank was at when I came back home this afternoon so I remisted. I'll post the humidity when I get home around 12:30 to see how its doing.

spots · 10-18-11, 10:33 PM

i started using a zoo med repti fogger on a timer. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...ty-bp-viv.html

**millertime89** · 10-18-11, 11:00 PM

like I said, with the mulch I didn't have any problems with the humidity, but it seems with the paper towels I CAN'T get it up.

spots · 10-18-11, 11:04 PM

Then i would say if you can go bark to the mulch?
But the repti fogger works great, as i don't have to think about if humidity drops well I'm at work or anything like that, or even if I go away for a couple days. I use bark mulch as well, but due to injury I have had to replace it with paper towel.

SSSSnakes · 10-18-11, 11:09 PM

Sometimes controlling the humidity is as simple as restricting the amount of air flow through your enclosure.

**millertime89** · 10-19-11, 01:23 AM

checked when I got home, 80%. I R confused now. Didn't mist, we'll see what it is at in the morning. Nero seems to enjoy hiding beneath the paper towels right on top of the glass bottom.
I'm gonna be working on building a wooden viv here in the next few weeks once my plans are layed out, so hopefully I can get away from using aquariums.

Lankyrob · 10-19-11, 02:53 AM

I find bark is good as it absorbs water when sprayed and then releases it slowly to jkeep the humidity up for longer.

Lumin the retic · 10-19-11, 03:06 AM

i tried paper towels last week and i dont like them at all they make the viv look poor and when the wee it soak thru alot of the paper. i changed to repti bark its £8.99 for 26 liters its very clean and dust free it holds humidity really well i spray the tank once or twice a week to keep the humidity around 60% im very happy with the change

ZARADOZIA · 10-19-11, 04:25 AM

When I first got Sasha, I did the same thing and used paper towels, she did the smae and crawled under them to lay on the glass. Like Lumin, I didn't like it at all and began experimenting with different substrates. I have found that I like spanish moss the best and she has lots of places to hid.

**millertime89** · 10-19-11, 11:09 AM

ugh... you guys aren't reading the post. I HAVE reptibark, I had it in the viv before, but for reasons to not be discussed I wanted to make the switch to paper towels. I might search around for some Spanish moss. I checked the humidity this morning at 10:30 and it was at 70%.

Lumin the retic · 10-19-11, 12:02 PM

i dont see any comments about repti bark ? think ur getting mixed up there lad.

(** I'm making the switch from cyprus mulch to paper towels as the substrate in my viv for my BRB. Regardless of why (another discussion )**

Lankyrob · 10-19-11, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

ugh... you guys aren't reading the post. I HAVE reptibark, I had it in the viv before, but for reasons to not be discussed I wanted to make the switch to paper towels. I might search around for some Spanish moss. I checked the humidity this morning at 10:30 and it was at 70%.

YOu never mentioned reptibark you said you were switching from cypress mulch ????

**millertime89** · 10-19-11, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

YOu never mentioned reptibark you said you were switching from cypress mulch ????

cyprus mulch=reptibark over here.
error in communication.

edit: or at least my bag of reptibark is cyprus mulch

youngster · 10-19-11, 04:04 PM

ReptiBark is made of fir trees. Not the same thing but maybe you have something weird?

zigzag420 · 10-19-11, 04:12 PM

if you are going to use paper towels you are going to have to restrict the air flow. the paper towel doesnt not hold as much moisture and not near as long as the multch. so if you want to use paper towel contrict the air flow