HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello,

I recently upgraded from a 20 gallon long to a 55 gallon! Well Ive noticed in my 55 gallon at the surface of the substrate the humidity hangs at a steady 80% or higher. If I move my hygrometer maybe six inches off ground on platform it can drop to about 60%. I'm just not sure why it would be that great a drop. I used two different hygrometers and both have functioned great in the past.

I have two pretty decent size pools both equipped with bubblers, a lid covered almost entirely with foil, and a big moss pit. I know it can vary in different areas especially in big tanks but isn't this too extreme? Please help! Thanks

What do you use for heating, a heat bulb? If so, it probably drying out the tank leading to drastic humidity range in your tank. Otherwise, have you calibrated the gauge? After a while, it is common for a gauge to "loose" it effectiveness while reading.

aussieJJDude wrote:What do you use for heating, a heat bulb? If so, it probably drying out the tank leading to drastic humidity range in your tank. Otherwise, have you calibrated the gauge? After a while, it is common for a gauge to "loose" it effectiveness while reading.

No heat bulb just two UTH. I'm going to calibrate now to make sure thanks

Oh, something that "sticks out" and worth investigating! When you mean:

...a lid covered almost entirely with foil...

Do you mean that the lid is foil and doesn't cover the entire top? If so, probably all the humidity is escaping through there -the gap.

aussieJJDude wrote:Oh, something that "sticks out" and worth investigating! When you mean: Do you mean that the lid is foil and doesn't cover the entire top? If so, probably all the humidity is escaping through there -the gap.

I calibrated it and it seems to be working fine. The top to my tank is one of those lids you can get at pet smart (no hinge in middle) and probably over 90% is covered with foil I taped over it. I just don't understand what it could be

Is it possible for you to post pics of the the tanks and lid? I very confused, the only other thing i can think of is if you live in a dry climate and is sponging all the moisture out..

Hmmm. Can you add a moss pit up where the humidity drops? Or maybe try covering a little bit more of your lid? I think as long as they have large areas within safe ranges they'll be fine. I know in my tank, the humidity drops near the heat bulb during the day, but further away from it the humidity is fine.

That about matches my tank. Up top it's around 60% and then at the soil it's closer to 100% from the fogger. Humidity wants to settle, so it will always be more humid at the bottom.

Thanks for the help guys! I think I'll try to add so moss in those areas.