Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've seen these around and was wondering if they are a feasable option in BRB enclosures to keep up the humidity, and if anyone has used them with success.

As it is, I can maintiain humidity by misting 2x daily, and keeping the substrate moist, but anything to simplify the process is welcome.

Any other suggestions?
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Danielle

Herps:
1.0 BRB
1.0 Amel Motley Corn
----------------------
Other critters:
1.0 Great Dane
1.0 Siamese
1 Senegal Parrot
1 Blue Fronted Amazon

I do not have any experience with misters or foggers. I do question having to spary 2 times per day.

What substrate are you using? I have read that Cypress holds moisture better and is what is recommended if using mulch. I know many people here use paper for its ease of use and cost. I am currently using cypress, but will probably switch to paper when I move to a cage designed for snakes.

Also, what is you BRB in and how is it heated?

Currently I have my baby BRB in a 10 G aquarium with under tank heat hooked to a proportional thermostat. Glass aquariums are usually not the best option for reptiles, as they do not have good insulating properties. With that said I have the screen tops 90% covered with plastic wrap and a towel. I also have a large water dish directly over the heat pad. The large water dish has more surface area for evaporation to take place.

With all this said I can go about 2 days between having to use my spray bottle.
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Mike

0.1 BRB
1.0 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

Mike,

I'm using a combination of Cypress Mulch, Coconut Husk and Sphagnum Moss as substrate.

Quetzal came to me in a 30 gallon aquarium w/screen lid heated with a UTH, but due to worse humidity issues (even with the majority of the lid covered), was moved to a comparable melamine enclosure. His first and only shed with me has been very successful, and he's not been dehydrated.

After reading all of the responses, I'm willing to bet my issue lay with the vent, which is quite large. I've now sealed the majority of the grate, and already see a difference.

Thank you!
-----
Danielle

Herps:
1.0 BRB
1.0 Amel Motley Corn
----------------------
Other critters:
1.0 Great Dane
1.0 Siamese
1 Senegal Parrot
1 Blue Fronted Amazon

Are you using a thermostat?

When I tested my python cage it was always where I wanted it, but then when the house was warmer (just a few degrees) the temps were quite a bit above what I wanted. BRB's require much cooler temps vs most other boa's and python's.
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Mike

0.1 BRB
1.0 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King

IMO they're a bandaid for a more serious problem. If your enclosure is set up properly, manual misting or any other automatic misting/fogging system is not required. Babies do require high humidity. Adults do not require as high a humidity. Too much emphasis is placed on the number, not the results. I do not mist my animals - EVER!!

There are two main factors to humidity:

Evaporation, or getting the water into the air. This is a natural process and if the water is available, it will evaporate and need to be replenished. I achieve this with a large surface area water dish and for the adults/yearling a damp moss hide box.

Dissipation, once the water is airborne, the natural tendancy is for it to equalize with all the air it comes in contact with. You need to limit ventilation to keep the water inside the enclosure. Worst case scenarion is a screen topped fish tank. The warm humid air will rise and be replaced by the cooler drier room air. Kind of like your bathroom after a hot shower. If you keep the door closed, it stays humid, even cloudy. once you open the door, that airborne water spreads out evenly throughout your house and does not feel humid any more.

A mechanical fogger / mister has two problems IMO.

1) I've read they vibrate and can be irritating to herps. They don't like the constant vibrations.

2) You're depeding on a mechanical device to provide humidity and can become complacent. If it stops working, how long until you notice? If the cage is set up properly in the first place, simple water bowl maintenance will achieve your desired humidity.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
20.28 BRB
13.18 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Dave,

Thank you for the information. I'm certain it's the ventaliation now, as the vent on his enclosure is quite large, (something to remedy in future building endevors), and sealing most of the grate has seems to have made a world of difference.

Quetzal's set-up is status quo from what I've read (Large water dish under heatsource, Cypress Mulch/Coconut Husk/Sphagnum Moss substrate to retain moisture, humidity box), so I couldn't figure out why I was having such a difficult time with it.

I didn't want to have to use a fogger if I could help it.

Thanks again.
-----
Danielle

Herps:
1.0 BRB
1.0 Amel Motley Corn
----------------------
Other critters:
1.0 Great Dane
1.0 Siamese
1 Senegal Parrot
1 Blue Fronted Amazon

np
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
20.28 BRB
13.18 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Danielle,
...Everything Dave posted is exactly right. Get a large enough surface of water in the cage with a large water bowl and limit the ventilation so that it does not escape. Nearly all snakes need plenty of ventilation. Rainbow Boas are the exception. They do fine with very limited ventilation.
...Misting and spraying?? If you absolutely have to add humidity to the cage do it the easy way. Hand misters and sprayers deliver very very little water per each squeeze of the handle. Rather than spending time spraying twice a day just pour 2 to 4 ounces of water onto the substrate.
Jeff

>>I've seen these around and was wondering if they are a feasable option in BRB enclosures to keep up the humidity, and if anyone has used them with success.
>>
>>As it is, I can maintiain humidity by misting 2x daily, and keeping the substrate moist, but anything to simplify the process is welcome.
>>
>>Any other suggestions?
>>-----
>>Danielle
>>
>>Herps:
>>1.0 BRB
>>1.0 Amel Motley Corn
>>----------------------
>>Other critters:
>>1.0 Great Dane
>>1.0 Siamese
>>1 Senegal Parrot
>>1 Blue Fronted Amazon

Thank you Jeff.

As I've responded to Mike and Dave, I'm almost certain it has been a ventilation issue from the start. I've sealed off most of the very large vent and it's made a huge difference in reatining the humidity.

Kind of a "Duh" moment.
-----
Danielle

Herps:
1.0 BRB
1.0 Amel Motley Corn
----------------------
Other critters:
1.0 Great Dane
1.0 Siamese
1 Senegal Parrot
1 Blue Fronted Amazon