Humidity issues

[dbizal]

When I first set up my Vivarium the humidity was stable at 80%ish, however the past few weeks it has dropped down to 60%. The Exo Terra Digital Thermo-Hygrometer combo has been positioned in the same place since I got it and I literally have no idea why it is dropping so much?

Here is a video of my set-up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5hwPV9uGi4

Any help would be appreciated.

[rjm2653]

Looks great. I personally use gorilla tape and leave a bit of space around the light. You will have to replace parts of it once or twice per year. Usually just around where the light dries the adhesive. When I touched it up I only had to do a few pieces.

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[deranged chipmunk]

What does the lid of the tank look like? Plexi? Screen?

[dbizal]

It is a screen however I have placed glass over the top of it. Take a look at the video - I think I show it.

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[deranged chipmunk]

Couldn't watch the video earlier at work, I wasn't able to hear it. If there are any gaps between the glass and frame, seal them off with duct tape. For a dart Viv, the tank can be relatively sealed. It's the only way to keep humidity high. They don't need the ventilation that tree frogs need. Opening the tank each day for feedings and mistings will provide enough air exchange for them. Also, consider removing the screen before you get the frogs, it will eventually rust under the high humidity.

The waterfall looks awesome. I really dig it!! The plants on the background are crypanthus species, and unfortunately, the leaf that rotted won't grow back. but once the plant grows more, you can trim it.

The light should be fine, not too bright. Distilled water is not a necessity. People use it to prevent water spots when harder water dries. I use dechlored tap water to most with because my water is softish (pH 6.8) and never have an issue with water spots.

Otherwise, the tank looks great!!

[dbizal]

Thanks for the feedback ^_^ it took a while to get it done but I am happy with it.

I will look into taking out the lid and just replace it with a single piece of glass then. Might be better that way?

I still need to find a cheapish solution for heating the Viv... My room temp is pretty much what the frogs need but I just don't trust the weather here in England Haha.

Also I noticed some mites on the outside of my fruitfly cultures... Might have to invest in some of that mite paper and stuff I put the flies into before I feed them to the frogs when I get them.

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[deranged chipmunk]

A single piece would be good. As far as heating the Viv, an under tank heater stuck on the side may help. Go for the biggest you can afford, preferably one with a thermostat.

[dbizal]

I was thinking about getting a light with a dimmer and putting a Ceramic Heat lamp in it? Still looking for that though. I gave my Reader a good shake earlier and found there was some water in it... Could this cause readings to be off? The humidity is at 70% now apparently, although I may take it out and dry it out to see if there are any issues from water build up inside the reader. (I need to spray away from it, it seems haha).

I will get some glass cut to fit next week then, shouldn't be a problem as my cousin is a glazer...

I had a little move around the other day also, this is what it looks like now.

[dbizal]

Don't mean to bump, but would rather do that than start a whole new thread for the same issue.

I found that my Exo-Terra Digital Thermometer/hygrometer was in fact defect so I bought a standard analogue meter... It was gradually rising last night until now it is sitting at around 90-95% humidity. I have replaced the screen top with glass as suggested for keeping darts (As you know I want to keep D.Leucs) but I was wondering if this humidity is too high for the frogs I want to keep?

I also bought an Exo-Terra Rainforest heat mat which is keeping the temps stable - I might buy a thermostat though so I can turn the heat down at night but for now is it dangerous to keep frogs in the Viv without having the slight drop in temperature during the night?

Here is a pic of the top as it is now:

[deranged chipmunk]

the high humidity is exactly what you need for leucs. they prefer humidity in the 90's.

[dbizal]

Ah right, I didn't know if it was too high that it may actually harm them

Cheers for the reply Bill.

[deranged chipmunk]

Nah, you're good.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[dbizal]

Cheers buddy.

The Fogging system came today, but I forgot to buy an extra timer haha. Probably going to set it up so it comes on 3-4 times a day for 1 minute on the lowest to mid setting (so it lets out a controlled amount of fog).
Hopefully that will keep the plants moist - but would that be enough or should I still spray the Viv twice a day?

[deranged chipmunk]

I run my fogger every other hour for 5 minutes in my steam punk tank, but I still hand most every evening. The humidity is good, but the fogger doesn't quite water the plants like I want.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela