Humidity answers!

[deranged chipmunk]

the same question pops up time and time and time again. the post normally reads as follows: i just got a new (insert brand here) vivarium and no matter what i do, no matter how much i mist, my dial gauge reads only 40% humidity, what am i doing wrong?"

answer, you are doing nothing wrong. but there are a few things you need to look at. first, is the screen top completely open? if it is, try covering it with a piece of glass, plexiglas, plastic wrap, damp towel. second, if you are using an analog hygrometer (the gauge that reads humidity), throw it in the trash and get one that is digital. the analog hygrometers are notorious for being inaccurate.

there could possibly be other reasons for low humidity readings. but these are the most common ones.

if anybody would like to add to this, please do so!!

[Lija]

oh i will add

for all humidity problems i have just one answer - get a hydrotherm, plug it into fogger and live happily ever after and do not think about humidity ever again.

[Bolisnide]

How about calibrating the analog one, if purchasing a hygrotherm or digital gauge isn't possible?
http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...varia-use.html

[HerpDerp]

This really should be a sticky! There are so many factors for humidity and it would be great to get them all into one post. I ended up covering 3/4 of my screen top with plastic wrap to combat dry winter air. I used to tape the plastic wrap to the outside of the screen top but a few days ago I stretched the plastic over the top and then put the screen top over it. That seems to keep it on there good and prevents the screen from getting wet (I had some small rust spots).

Plants and moss are a great way to improve humidity if it's a big problem. Running water in the tank can also be helpful (waterfall, fountain etc). I know that an automatic misting system is ideal, but the truth is, it's quite an expensive investment that not everyone can (or will) make. It is something that I would like to have in the future but as of right now, it's not possible. I'm only gone about 4 hours out of the day on most days so I'm just super vigilant about misting while the air is super dry!

[Sasha]

oh i will add

for all humidity problems i have just one answer - get a hydrotherm, plug it into fogger and live happily ever after and do not think about humidity ever again.

I second that!

I also say that you need to humidify your whole house. If the air around your vivarium is dry it's going to take lots of extra effort to keep the vivarium humid.

[Bolisnide]

I agree with Patsy, humidify your house , that certainly helps.

[Jody1]

Well I have a fountain a water bowl and the high dollar mister and my humidity is very low like 20% I guess it's just my house I have the digital gauge and even when it mists it doesn't go up but a few % only thing I haven't done is buy a humidifier for my house

[tinkgirl77]

Or everyone can live in South Louisiana where our humidity is alway high because this whole place used to be (and some parts still are) a Swamp lol, I definitely havent had a problem keeping the humidity to high, I need to create more ventilation to lower it!