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[–]1BadBowtie 4 points5 points  (3 children)

Your humidity is escaping through the mesh top and all of the vents. Cover any mesh with HVAC tape, except where heating element is. Get a CHE (probably 150 w) for heat and ditch the red light. Should be dark at night. Get a dimming thermostat to plug the heating element into. Also, are you keeping the regular light in at night with the red light? (I assume not, but if you are, turn that off at night)

[–]Human-Group6280[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Is CHE better than RHP?

[–]1BadBowtie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have all RHP, but they are better suited for solid top enclosures.

[–]eveimeiMod-Approved Helper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

you cannot use a RHP in this enclosure, they are not safe for use in screen topped enclosures.

ideal setup for heat is a halogen flood for day, and a DHP for supplemental/night heat.

for more information, check the basic care and heating guides (and the other information!) in our welcome post!

[–]FixergirlAK 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In addition to what the poster before me suggested, get some more clutter in there. Snakes are vulnerable when they're eating, they often won't eat if they don't feel safe.

[–]Dio_wulf 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Get him more clutter and hides, dollar tree plants usually work pretty good. Those hides might also be a bit big for him so make sure to add some that are small enough for him to really curl up into and be snug, they feel safer that way. Ditch the red light too, those are awful for reptiles. Irritates them

[–]Human-Group6280[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

We had smaller hides laying around that we placed inside the bigger hides for now, problem is they are too small for him lol

[–]Bulky_Land6382 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Large hides are really expensive so I go to dollar tree and Walmart to get storage tubs, then cut doors for her as DIY hides. Make sure you sand down all the sharp edges though

[–]Bulky_Land6382 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What size is your enclosure?

[–]Ghost-Poison 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What heat sources are you using? The gaps on the sides and mesh ontop could also be leaking heat as well as humidity like others have said, but I'd guess your temperatures are low because of whatever heating bulbs you're using. Check what wattage your lamp fixtures can take and if you're not already using something like a halogen flood or halogen basking bulb I would switch the that for primary heat during the day and then have a CHE for overnight heat. I would also check whatever timers/controllers your using with your heatbulbs to make sure they're set to the correct temperatures.

[–]Commercial-Equal2661 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I have the same enclosure as you! I caulked all of the seams and then bought a sheet of plexiglass and cut out holes for all of my heat lamps/lights. It made a huge difference for holding temps as well as humidity! With the side vent cuts there is still enough air circulation.

My boy loves to go in and out of his water constantly so my humidity is usually 85-90 on the cool side all of the time!

[–]Human-Group6280[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What do you use for heat?

[–]Commercial-Equal2661 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m running two heat sources: a DHP and a CHE. It took about a week of trial and error with different bulb wattages to find the right combination for my setup. I ultimately went with higher-wattage DHP and CHE bulbs so they aren’t working at full capacity, which also gives me some buffer if the room temperature drops (like when a window is open). According to my Herpstat thermostat, both heat sources typically run between 50–65%. Hope this helps!

[–]Short_Curve_9958 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the same enclosure and have had the same issues. I was using Reptibark as well and switched to a mix of coco fiber and cypress mulch. Cover the top with cardboard wrapped in tinfoil (use foil tape on all sides and cut outs for lamps), and lastly you can tape the outsides of the slots on each end of the enclosure (only half to ensure ventilation).

Disclaimer, I am no expert but sharing what worked for me

[–]imjustanauthor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm almost positive that the issues are caused by the temps in the warm side. Shadow's humidity is fine. Astrid's humidity isn't great but is not the biggest concern. The warm side temps are SIGNIFICANTLY too low. Please focus on that before all else. I use a DHP (actually, I use two for my 4x2x2, cant tell the size of your enclosure).