sphagnum moss / heat mat??

[Jaganath]

H i folks - setting up a viv for a tree boa and using sphagnum moss as the substrate - can I use a heat mat?? Will it make the viv nice and humid OR will it kill the moss? Am I better off using a heat lamp with a damp substrate?

Thanks,
Aaron.

[Clancorns]

Is it an ATB?
If so no need for damp substrate. Just provide the moss in a moist hide (it will dry out if directly on top of the mat). And remember to spray the viv well, i used to do it once a day, obv a water bowl should be provided. If you make the viv too humid itself rather than a damp area it can cause breathing probs.

[Jaganath]

Hi - it's an ETB, assuming the same advice applies.
Apparently they are susceptible to all kinds of illness/eating problems if things aren't just right, so spending some serious time/money getting the viv set up just right and the temp/humidity cycles bedded in.

[Wilko92]

ETBs arre gorgeous
But they do need a very high humidity - above 70%, so you need to make sure that the viv has good ventilation so that the air doesn't stagnate and the high humidity ends up causing breathing problems.

[Jaganath]

Yeah they're amazing, totally fallen in love with them

The viv I bought had 4 small 40mm vents in, so I'm replacing them with 80mm hi-flow vents to keep the air moving and a mini-fogger on a digital timer to get the humidity just right day and night.

Luckily the viv already has a habistat thermostat and heat lamp so temperature should be fine, but read so much conflicting info about damp substrate and heat lamps v's dry substrate and heat mats I wasn't sure of the best comb for a high humidity snake.

I'm waiting on the store to get back to me to tell me when the babies come in so have at least a few days to get the levels set.

[Wilko92]

Luckily the viv already has a habistat thermostat and heat lamp so temperature should be fine, but read so much conflicting info about damp substrate and heat lamps v's dry substrate and heat mats I wasn't sure of the best comb for a high humidity snake.

I'm waiting on the store to get back to me to tell me when the babies come in so have at least a few days to get the levels set.

It is unfortunately the problem with the internet! Information overload and not all of it the same ... Maybe you could look on other reptile forums and find a helpful (and well known/respected) ETB keeper/breeder who could tell you how they keep their ETBs? (If there isn't one lurking on IV ofc)
At least you've got a couple of days to sort everything out. And good luck with them when you get them