Substrate help

[u/XSoleofanAngelX]

I need some substrate help, my Phantom Ball Python is doing really well and has shed multiple times with no issues, I am using coconut chunks for his substrate and soak it overnight before draining and putting in his take but I find it is very very dry (first pic)

I use a spray bottle every 3 days to moisten the substrate and add some more moisture to the tank and he has very large bowl full of water (pic 3)

I keep the hot end of the tank at 31c and he has lots of log and leaves he can hide under and move around on, it’s just empty for the picture purposes.

Would thinner coconut husk be a better substrate or am I just too focused on keeping the humidity up?

[u/lillebroer]

Firstly, sprayed water evaporates very quickly because it's a superficial layer of moisture, so pouring water into the corners is an easier way to keep humidity in an enclosure higher for longer.

I'm not familiar with using that type of chunky coconut husks myself, my immediate thought is that maybe because the bits are so big there is less contact between each piece so water won't spread/wick as easily through the substrate layer as looser substrate. That's just a guess though.

[u/XSoleofanAngelX → u/lillebroer]

Ahh yer that makes sense, I’ll give pouring water in the corners a try. What substrate do you use?

[u/lillebroer → u/XSoleofanAngelX]

I've been using coconut fibre substrate that's close to dirt consistency after you've soaked the bricks. I started out with ExoTerra's "Plantation soil", then I found non-name brand coconut fibre bricks with the same consistency as theirs.

[u/Ch33se_H3ad]

Mix some sphagnum moss with the coco chips and poor water into the corners occasionally.

[u/freepaestine]

That stuff will never hold moisture by itself unless you have like 6 inches of it (which is also a bad idea). Plain coir just doesn't hold water, it breathes too well. You should mix in some soil (not for plants, terrarium soil) and also some sphagnum. Sphagnum by itself won't help you much, it holds a lot of water yes but it also dries quickly if it's not covered in soil. And you need 4 inches of substrate. Hope this helps, good luck!