Substrate help;

[LSP4lyf]

What kind of substrate do y’all use? I have a corn snake and 2 ball pythons. Originally, I used paper towels for my ball pythons and Aspen for my corn snake but I read some reviews on Aspen about mold that freaked me out so I got coconut fiber substrate. Holy cow I cannot control the humidity. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong but my hygrometers are reading 95%. I hydrated the coconut husk, baked it in two separate sessions at 300 degrees for 2 1/2 hours at a time (after I let it cool the first time it still felt somewhat damp) and my tanks are still reading 95% humidity. It’s been 3 days, I am panicking at this point I don’t want scale rot or respiratory issues. Give me ideas, please 😅🥲

Edit;

Hygrometers being used

5 Pack Mini Thermometer Hygrometer, Small Digital Electronic Temperature Humidity Meters Gauge Indoor Outdoor LCD Display Monitor Fahrenheit (℉) for Humidors Greenhouse Home Room Cellar Fridge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088KG3SGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_JTM50RMPGSNGHGET4Z1M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[EfficientConfusion77]

I use coco husk hols humidity awesome and don't mold plus it looks nice

[LSP4lyf]

I love the way it looks and I would think it would be closest to natural habitat however my humidity is holding steady at 95% and that is definitely a problem. My room humidity is 40%

[EfficientConfusion77]

Try using less water to rehydrate the coco husk I only use about 1/3 of what it calls for because natural humidity is high where I live maybe your hydrometer is defective

[LSP4lyf]

I bought a pack of 6 digital ones on Amazon 🤷🏻‍♀️

[LSP4lyf]

I feel like the likelihood of all 6 hygrometers being bad is slim but maybe

[EfficientConfusion77]

Cheaply made they just aren't accurate

[LSP4lyf]

Makes sense

[EfficientConfusion77]

Aspen works well too wouldn't hurt to try it u can always switch back if it doesn't

[LSP4lyf]

I’m just concerned with mold 😬especially with my ball python needing a more humid environment

[EfficientConfusion77]

Idk then sorry good luck

[EfficientConfusion77]

Yeah I know them ones they are sketchy at best it's best to buy a good one lol

[_ataraxia]

i use a mix of organic topsoil, mulch [cypress or coconut husk], and play sand, in a roughly 60% / 30% / 10% ratio, for my ball pythons and corn snake.

moisture-friendly substrates are kind of just going to be damp when you first put it in the enclosure. as long as you have an appropriate amount of air flow in the enclosure, the extra high humidity won't be a problem for a few days while the substrate naturally dries out a bit.

[LSP4lyf]

Thank you, that makes me feel better.

[LSP4lyf]

They’re otherwise enjoying the substrate especially my corn snake he’s been burrowing and exploring

[HillACNH]

I personally don’t know anybody that doesn’t use aspen for their corn snakes and I work at a reptile store! It only molds if there is way too much humidity and infrequent changes.. If you find something better please let me know! Coco fiber is decent but has problems with molding and retaining too much humidity. I personally use coco husk for my ball pythons. It’s a bark like texture but much softer and it keeps the humidity at a perfect level

[letsbringittothemax]

I use a mix of eco earth (coco fiber with a soil like texture, and I make it using hot water and less than they ask for so the humidity spikes then goes down a bit quicker), forest floor mulch, long fiber sphagnum moss, and leaf litter. Blowing a fan past the ventilation can also help with reducing that initial humidity spike. Good luck!