RETF enclosure humidity

[RainforestReef]

Hello I am new to keeping red eyed tree frogs. I mist the tank at least twice daily and sometimes when I look at the hygrometer when I get home the humidity is all the way down to 40% so I mist more. Is this normal? I have a screen top. Also will the humidity getting low in between mistings hurt the frogs? Thanks!


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[daybr4ke]

Honestly, 40% is rather low for these frogs. For a short time it should be fine, but for extended periods it could be unhealthy. Humidity does however, drop across the day. This is one reason automated misters and/or foggers with regulators(like a thermostat. Might even make combo thermostat/humidity regulators. I havent gotten one yet.) A screen top circulates more air in and out of the tank than, say, a plastic or glass top.
Also, what kind of thermometer/hydrometer(s) are you using? Digital or analog? Digital is generally considered more accurate. I would recommend at least 2 thermometer/hygrometers to help measure temperature and humidity gradients.
As for keeping humidity stable, you could cover around 1/2 the tank's top to keep in moisture but still allow for some circulation. You could add a mister/fogger on a schedule so it goes off once half way through your work day. You could test it on the weekend to make sure it works at keeping humidity at 60-80%, no higher no lower. Wouldn't want it to overmist and give then respiratory infections or just not do enough. A cheaper and lower tech solution is a dripper. They sell them at stores. Exo terra and some other brands make them, but you might be able to make your own. Actually, I might look into making a DIY dripper soon myself.

[RainforestReef]

Honestly, 40% is rather low for these frogs. For a short time it should be fine, but for extended periods it could be unhealthy. Humidity does however, drop across the day. This is one reason automated misters and/or foggers with regulators(like a thermostat. Might even make combo thermostat/humidity regulators. I havent gotten one yet.) A screen top circulates more air in and out of the tank than, say, a plastic or glass top.
Also, what kind of thermometer/hydrometer(s) are you using? Digital or analog? Digital is generally considered more accurate. I would recommend at least 2 thermometer/hygrometers to help measure temperature and humidity gradients.
As for keeping humidity stable, you could cover around 1/2 the tank's top to keep in moisture but still allow for some circulation. You could add a mister/fogger on a schedule so it goes off once half way through your work day. You could test it on the weekend to make sure it works at keeping humidity at 60-80%, no higher no lower. Wouldn't want it to overmist and give then respiratory infections or just not do enough. A cheaper and lower tech solution is a dripper. They sell them at stores. Exo terra and some other brands make them, but you might be able to make your own. Actually, I might look into making a DIY dripper soon myself.

I do have plans for a misting system in the future. I am thinking sooner rather than later now. I use a digital and analog hygrometer and the digital one work about half the time. I find the analog is more consistent


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[daybr4ke]

Interesting about the hygrometers. I use a zoomed cheap digital and it responds for me really fast and accurately.

[RainforestReef]

Interesting about the hygrometers. I use a zoomed cheap digital and it responds for me really fast and accurately.

I think I may have a faulty one. Im gonna switch it out because I have a cheap digital one on my mountain horned dragon tank that works great


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[RainforestReef]

Update: just got a mist king with hygrostat controller


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