Keeping the humidity up...

[mswagnon]

Hey All,

Well, I recently dived into the world of crabs (last week on Thursday), and they are quite amazing little creatures. I have fish (Discus, silver arowana, BGK and many more), gerbils, and now my five beautiful PPs. Each presents their own challenges, but as I intend on opening my own pet store sooner or later, hopefully sooner, these are fun little challenges for me.

My question is this: At first I couldn't keep the temperature up using a few of the UTHs on the side, but I was able to keep the humidity up just fine with a glass top. However, I ended up getting rid of the UTHs and glass top, and I got a mesh top with a heating lamp, and I have the temp up to 81 degrees. But I cannot keep the humidity in. I have placed a piece of cardboard over the mesh with a hole cut around the lamp and I made sure it is not touching so that it doesn't catch on fire, but the humidity just goes straight through. Is it okay for me to run a humidifier running into the terrarium to keep it humid? I cannot imagine that it would be an issue as long as I am running dechlorinated water through it, but I would like to get a regular one and just run it by the tank as my room is kind of dry anyways, and it would be healthier for me as well.

So... The humidifier would not actually be spraying directly into the terrarium, but to the side of it.

[megmaholm]

I'd suggest replacing the cardboard with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, just because the cardboard will probably get gross after a while from moisture.

A humidifier is an awesome way to keep your humidity up. I use one and run a hose from the top of it into a corner of the tank and just adjust it as needed. I've never thought to run one just in the same room to see if it helps, but honestly I don't know - if your tank lid is sealed to keep humidity from escaping, I'm not sure it'll let much in. It's worth a shot, though!

[mswagnon]

I'd suggest replacing the cardboard with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, just because the cardboard will probably get gross after a while from moisture.

A humidifier is an awesome way to keep your humidity up. I use one and run a hose from the top of it into a corner of the tank and just adjust it as needed. I've never thought to run one just in the same room to see if it helps, but honestly I don't know - if your tank lid is sealed to keep humidity from escaping, I'm not sure it'll let much in. It's worth a shot, though!

I will definitely replace the cardboard with plastic wrap, it'll look cleaner too. If I were to run the humidifier on the outside, I would most likely leave the mesh lid alone and not have it covered with the plastic wrap or anything. I think I shall give it a try and I will let you know if it works.