Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking for a way to make my screen top hold humidity for a ball python. Can i tape plastic or something to it? Right now I am just putting magazines on top, but it doesn't seem to be working correctly. Any suggestions?
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1.0.0 Common Snapping Turtle (Aggro)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons
1.1.0 Western Hognose(hets for albino)
0.1.0 Western Hognose(RED)(66% het albino)

Yes, you will need to cover it, or part of it. The easiest way is to have a piece that covers the entire screen top, then have cutouts that you can remove to add ventilation as needed.

Material:
A great material for this is the plastic corrugated "cardboard-like" material that inexpensive signs are made from. You can order it at sign shops or just ask them for scrap. It is inexpensive, cuts easily with shears, and is moisture-proof.

Your other issue:
To have great humidity while still having some ventilation, you need the cage walls to insulate well. Glass doesn't. That is much of your problem. How do you fix it? Tape styrofoam insulation to the outside of the glass walls. You can buy the 1/2" thick stuff in 2'x4' sheets and cut with shears or score deeply with a knife and break it.

so would a plastic sweaterbox be better for humidity? If so, can I stick a heating pad to the plastic (on a dimmer of course)? Perhaps heat tape?
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1.0.0 Common Snapping Turtle (Aggro)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons
1.1.0 Western Hognose(hets for albino)
0.1.0 Western Hognose(RED)(66% het albino)

>>so would a plastic sweaterbox be better for humidity? If so, can I stick a heating pad to the plastic (on a dimmer of course)? Perhaps heat tape?
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Ball pythons do well in plastic sweaterboxes. The key here is to get one roomy enough. The Iris CB-70 is a fantastic box for ball pythons. You can get them at Container Store, many office supply stores and at www.reptiletubs.com.

You can use a heat pad or heat tape. Both are the same in effect, with the heat tape coming in any length you need (cut to length) and requiring you to crimp on the connectors yourself. Use a dimmer for sure.

I just put a sheet of cheap acrylic on the screen and great for holding humidity than you can get light penetration into the tank and its not so dark and works great.

If you use light ontop of tank for heat or plants just get piece cut so light wont sit on it.

it cost me couple dollars cut to my tanks screen size . Works fantastic other things look ugly clustered this you just lay flat on the screen and its invisible .

I've been known to simply tape a piece of Saran Wrap to the screen cover, covering about 2/3 to 3/4 of the top.

Steve

Posted by: hoot at Fri Jul 21 20:08:33 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I've been known to simply tape a piece of Saran Wrap to the screen cover, covering about 2/3 to 3/4 of the top.

Steve

Why would you want to do it fast and cheap when you can do it our way ? lol

Very good point! I'll have to rethink!

Another thing that I do is use clay pot hides. VERY gently and VERY slowly break pieces away from the lip of the pot, creating an entrance. Then use a file or sandpaper to smooth the sharp edges away. When the snake goes into shed, I'll remove the pot and soak it thoroughly in water, then put it back in. It will significantly raise the humidity in the cage, and create a "humid hide". Since I've been doing this, sheds seem to be much, much better.

Steve

Look buddy, if you think you can come here with inexpensive 1-minute solutions, then you'd better think again. We like to obsess and design and build. We like to critique others' designs. We like using expensive materials. None of your Walmart solutions are welcome here.

(Quit making me look bad)

OOPS! Sorry man!

Retraction - The saran wrap idea really doesn't work because, umm....

Uhh... The tape doesn't always stick (unless, of course, you use adhesive tape).
Hmmm... The saran wrap is really thin, and uhh, it tears easy.

One thing you DO have to consider is - It is so thin that if you're using an incandescant light for heat, it'll destroy the saran cover if you put the light directly over it. Put the light on the uncovered portion.

Steve