TRYING TO MAINTAIN 80% HUMIDITY

[LilHurricane]

So, I purchased a small humidifier and hooked it up to a hose going to the tank. Everything is sealed. My question is, I leave the house at 7am and don't return until 6pm. The humidity levels drop significantly during the day. What should I do?

I have added the tropical soil to the sand castle sand. I don't have the cover light on, but they are by a window that I leave the blinds slightly open so they know it is daytime (it's dark in my house). I looked into a timed power strip, but I've had a difficult time finding one that can be set several time per day, not just once or twice per day. Right now, I don't go back to work until Sept 6th and have been trying to see how often I need the humidifier to come on. If I leave it on, I think it will get too humid.

Advice if you have any....thanks!!

[soilentgringa]

Put the humidifier on a timer.

Humidifiers can be great, but you have to be careful not to flood your tank or oversaturate the substrate.

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[LilHurricane]

To not over-saturate, the humidity should be at what?

[soilentgringa]

To not over-saturate, the humidity should be at what?

Anything over 80% is safe, but you have to keep an eye on your tank.

There's no magic number that prevents this from happening, you just have to monitor their conditions frequently.

For example, my tanks have been stable for two years.

I have sandcastle substrate and bubblers in the water pools.

Humidity is always in the mid 80's. I don't use lamps, only Ultratherms and natural day/night lighting.

I live in an apartment that is always 73-74°F and it is always just been easy to maintain those conditions.

Some people live in areas that are really dry, which can effect humidity, or that have harsher winters than Texas, which poses issues with heating.

What works for one may not for another.

So the best thing I can suggest to you is to keep an eye on your tank and your substrate, use a timer on the humidifier, and if the humidity gets really high, crack the lid for a bit to allow it to drop.


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[LilHurricane]

Cool. I'm in Texas also - near San Antonio. I'm going to try to keep the humidifier on the lowest setting and see if it will maintain, instead of turning it off and on. Thanks for your input! It really is appreciated.

[MrTeacherDude]

I have a timer I got from Walmart that I can set 16 times a day. When I have humidity problems, I set the timer hooked to my homemade humidifier to come on for 10 minutes on low at the beginning of each hour on all even hours.

[LadyJinglyJones]

I looked into a timed power strip, but I've had a difficult time finding one that can be set several time per day, not just once or twice per day.
Advice if you have any....thanks!![/quote]

Zoo Med makes timers for single outlets for around $15; check the lighting section of your local hardware place for slightly less expensive timers ($12 average on a single outlet here in The North, so I'd expect less in the States. )
Aquarium & reptile outlets will usually have them, as they are key for allowing pet owners to have a life.

They look like plastic boxes with egg timer dials on them. Usually the plug-in is a bit inconspicuous, on the side. The key thing is the rim of depressable 15 min increments... these you push down to set the 'off' periods, usually. You could have it fog once ever two hours (or whatever works) for 15 min. on a 24 HR cycle.

LJJ

[KayedeeLove<3]

I agree with soilentgringa! Just be safe and check all the way to the bottom of your sub (a straw will work) like once a week until your comfortable with the out come! Good Luck!

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[isadoraisacat]

I agree with soilentgringa! Just be safe and check all the way to the bottom of your sub (a straw will work) like once a week until your comfortable with the out come! Good Luck!

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My humidity is so high i never have to mist all i do is keep the moss pit damp and it seems to keep me well above 80 never been lower than 80. Winter with the heater going may be a different ball game though. It's not an easy task to balance out heat and humidity.

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[hprmom]

Here's what the timer LadyJinglyJones mentioned looks like:
woods mechanical timer

You can get these (other brands) at Lowe's or Home Depot, but the 2-pack from Amazon for under $9 was a good buy for me! Mine set in half hour increments, but you can get them in 15 min increments. You can also get a single timer that will control 2 devices.


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