Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I think I may have accidentally cracked the underside of my glass cage by means of a rapid temp. change when I sprayed water in it. At first I thought I had too much cypress mulch piled up as bedding and that retained the heat and caused the crack. I have sealed the crack and will just use a heat rope for that cage, but I don't want my other two cages to undergo the same damage. What is the best way to mist and water down a glass cage while still using the UTH's? Spraying hot or warm water would seem to do the trick, but is there a certain substrate that will keep the water from touching the glass but still be thermoconductive? Also, I find that cypress mulch sucks at retaining humidity, despite numerous claims to the contrary. I think that Exo-Terra's Jungle Earth combined with some eco-earth coconut soil works best, what do you guys think? Also, are dry sheds or shedding in bit's and pieces a direct result of insufficient humidity and does zoo-med repti-shedding aid help any? Thanks for all the info in advance.

If you have cages with glass bottoms, i would assume that you have screen lids. The screen lid would be the reason fo your loss of humidity. I have never used a glass bottom cage for reptiles so i dont have much insight on the cracking. As for the shedding, yes humuidity determines weather your snake will have a full shed or a bad shed.

i use a glass cage for my anaconda i use a uth and i have never had a problem with it i also line the bottomof the tank with linoleum easy clean up, wipes right up and use a towel on the screen cover till the heat lamp and you should be able to keep humidity better, if you want put a moist towel insteed

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Thanks a lot JJpython, I will definitely try the linoneum. Seems like a great idea. As long as I can get a good tight fit, no water should be able to seep through both all the jungle earth and the edges and heat enough heat should still transfer from the glass through the linoleum, since I have a desert heat wave instead of a jungle. Great help, thanks!