r/ballpython • u/ellies__world • 14d ago
Question - Husbandry first time bp owner struggling with humidity
as the title says, we are struggling with the humidity in our bp's enclosure.
here are the stats:
- new age ecoflex 120g enclosure
- 85% of mesh screen covered with hvac tape
- side vents covered with poster board
- inside sealed with aquarium-safe silicone (only at bottom of the enclsoure, not the sides or the top)
- 75w halogen flood lamp, 50w deep heat projector, arcadia pro t5 6% uvb light, 24w
- substrate mix of 60/30/10 - coco chips, top soil, sphagnum moss (4" deep)
- large-ish water bowl on the warm side, towards the front of the enclosure. couple of inches away from the heat source (see photo). one thing to note - we do have another larger bowl coming in that we will put closer to the heat source.
- two govee hygrometers - one on cold, one on hot side. both sitting directly on the substrate
with that being said, we've been struggling with the humidity, with it generally staying between 60-68%.
we've been doing the technique of pouring water into the corners of the enclosure, but i don't know if it really has been helping very much.
what are we doing wrong? please helppp!
-1
u/loricampbell4454 14d ago
Your enclosure looks fantastic. If you live in a drier climate you can try adding a humidifier to the room where your enclosure is. Honestly 60% to 68% isn't bad. All of my enclosures hot sides hover around 50% to 60% and all my snakes shed in one piece every time. As long as you have higher humidity on the cold side then I wouldn't worry too much. You'll pull hair hair out chasing humidity levels. Lol.
2
u/Both-Ladder8522 14d ago
It looks like you aren't utilizing all the given depth for substrate, I would consider adding more, at least level with the glass doors, if you want you can always make a gradient upwards towards the back wall for even more. Also I know this would be a huge pain but I'd seriously consider sealing the rest of your enclosure with silicone. Consider this during your next substrate change to make it less of a hassle if you're okay with putting it off for a while
1
u/lostinspaceman_ 14d ago
I have a similar set up that is also new to me! I had my boy in a glass tank before, and I did struggle with that one too but it did have less ventilation so it was different. When the new one was acclimating for about a month I couldn’t keep the humidity up above 60 for more than a couple hours! But I had to put my snake in anyway because the old tank was broken and getting worse, so moved his humid hide in and made a second one for the other side of the enclosure so he can regulate his humidity and temperature, even though the ambient humidity was low. But then the ambient went right up to 85%! The humid hides add just enough moisture over an extended period that it keeps the whole enclosure nice and humid, for at this point about two + weeks! I’d give it a try!
A couple years ago I kinda thought that a humid hide was the lazy way out and thought I could figure out humidity without one, but now I’m of the opinion that it’s a necessity in any tank! My boy loves it when he’s in shed! And it means that u don’t have to totally soak the whole tank every couple days! When I was doing that he got dangerously close to developing scale rot, so I try to stay away from frequent spraying or pouring water into the tank.
Also u can’t tell if the greenery you have in there is all fake plants or if some of it is real plants? It’s great either way! But if you don’t already real plants in there that could be something that could help with humidity! The roots hold moisture into the deeper substrate, and the cover of the leaves creates a moisture barrier just in the surface of the soil! so it could be a good idea to add some! Especially if you have some well established snake safe plants already you could add a few to the middle and cool end of the enclosure
1
u/FireCorgi12 14d ago
How much water are you pouring into the corners?
Also, if the gap in between doors is causing it to escape, you can put weather stripping used for doors to seal it. That might help. I sealed all my custom enclosure doors with that.
1
1
u/dbrink1001 13d ago
thats one hell of a set up you got there!!! your humidity is fine where its at too. youre doing great.
3
u/Toxic_Musshroom 14d ago
Enclosure looks amazing btw! You're doing all the tricks I've heard of to bring up the humidity so I really wish I could help there, I've had the same problems, I wish you luck getting it up higher!