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Help with Tub Set-up

Posted By:

caitlync

In Relation To:

Andromeda [BCI-F-1]

I recently moved into a small apartment and moved my boa into a tub out of an aquarium. I have been having problems with the humidity being too high and she keeps getting substrate packed in the sides of her mouth. She is about a year and a half old and three feet long. I have used a tub beofre to keep my blood python in and have never had any problems with the humidity being too high. I have put more holes in the tub two seperate times now. I even added holes on the lid. I had a larger water bowl in it (big enough for her to soak) and now I have a bowl about half that size. At first I though it was because the substrate was too moist because it was new but now it is completly dry and the humidity is still 10% too high. At first the humidity stayed over 90% for three weeks before the substrate dried out. After adding more holes the hum was still in the mid 80's. I added more holes and the smaller water bowl and the hum is still in the upper 70's.

I am using the same substrate that I was using in the aquarium and I never had any problems with it getting in her mouth. It is jungle earth (by Zoomed I think). I have never had a problem with it before.

Any substrate suggerstions other than newspaper? and any humidity suggestions?


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Mouth , Caging
Tags:	Boas, Caging, Humidity, RTB, Setup, Substrate, Tubs
Species:	Boas > Large Boas > Boa constrictor imperator
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

8/9/2010 2:30:49 AM

WrathRaptor

Actually, I wouldn't bother with a substrate change. The bigger issue here is air circulation. From your description it appears that you have adequate ventilation. My suggestion would be to rig a small computer cooling fan to run next to the tub, creating an air current that is directed through the ventilation holes. These fans are pretty cheap to buy at any local electronics store. Additionally, you'll need a length of power cord with a plug on one end, and some simple wire screws which can be purchased at the same place. Take some wire strippers and remove the coating on the wpower cord wire. Twist the copper ends together, and then screw on the wire screws to the copper ends, wrap in electrical tape. Then mount it to the side of the tub. It may seem kinda complicated, but its all really easy to do.

I hope that helps.

Member Comment

8/9/2010 3:51:17 AM

ReticulousReptiles

i just use paper towels, but i get the thicker paper towels, the kirkland brand from costco, they keep humidity perfect. and my tubs are just small dog bowls, the snakes dont really need to soak in them. the only time i let them soak is when they are shedding, i put a bigger bowl in there till they are done then switch it back out with the small bowl. try paper towels, or like wrathraptor said use a small fan to get better air flow in there. you can buy pretty small fans from wal mart also for like $5.

Member Comment

8/9/2010 5:54:34 AM

bsharrah

How are you measuring the humidity? Most devices are not accurate enough to determine differences of 10%. I know many people want to believe they are but unless you threw a couple hundred dollars on a good hygrometer, all that thng can do is tell if it is present, and not so much the actual percentage. How are you heating it and where is the water bowl? The bowl should be on the opposite end of the tub from the heat. What is the humidity like in the room the tub is located? I have read many threads where people have problems keeping high enough humidity in tubs and cages but never heard of difficulty with too high of humidity. Should be a simple fix as long as the room itself is not humid. I would also suggest the paper towel or newspaper substrate though. The Jungle Earth offers no benefits and several problems, and could also be the cause of the increase humidity. Good luck.

Member Comment

8/9/2010 12:22:39 PM

Synath

Jungle earth is good at holding humidity. Use repti carpet or aspen if you just totally refuse paper towls and newspaper. Much easier to clean that way. No use in it being aesthically pleasing when their in a tub.

Accepted Answer

8/10/2010 9:42:29 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

For all my rack tubs, I use either aspen or newspaper with a small to medium size water dish at the front of the tub (away from the heat source.) When I notice them going into shed, depending on the time of year, I just push the water dish a little closer to the heat source to bump the humidity a bit.

Member Comment

8/11/2010 6:38:19 PM

Nitram

what kind of rack are you using? i noticed you said you poked holes through the lid? a rack that uses the lids of tubs too? what are the chances of poking more holes? lol. or cut out large portions of the lids and replace them with a screen mesh or something. id replace the substrate before incorporating a fan, especially those computer fans that create a lot of vibration which could have a negative stress related effect. i use newspaper & kraft paper for my boas, works like a charm. especially if the snake is getting her face fulla the stuff, id lose the eco earth. if youre afraid of it looking ugly, get some fake silk stuff at michaels or something to line the floor with. itll look super cool, wont add to the humidity, but will not be fun to clean when she poops. good luck.

Member Comment

8/15/2010 6:19:20 AM

Queen_Ross

I know you said other than newspaper, however when they are in the tubs it works so great. Why do you not like Newspaper? We have 16 of our Boa's in tubs because they are in the rack system and we use the newspaper with water bowls that are not big enough to soak in but are comparable size to each tub. it seems to work perfectly. I know everyone has thier own likes and dislikes so I understand if this will not work for you, just a suggestion from one Boa lover to another.

Good luck.

Member Comment

8/15/2010 6:23:57 AM

Queen_Ross

@ Bka Mama.....We do the same thing, medium waterbowl away from heat source, it seems to work so well. I also agree that when they are in tubs there is no use in worrying about if it looks the best. Newspaper is also really great because it makes it so much easier to clean and cuts cleaning time in half....Again good luck

Member Comment

8/22/2010 8:49:52 PM

Herp_junky

It definitely sounds like a substrate issue. I recommend going with aspen if you don't like newspaper. That would atleast be the first step I would take to see what kind of difference you get. As far as air circulation putting holes at the lower front of the tub and the on the opposite side up high will help pull air through.

Member Comment

1/25/2011 11:41:51 AM

abi21491

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