Struggling with humidity

MCB · 02-13-14, 10:40 AM

Hi All,

I’ve orchid bark for substrate, one very large ceramic type dog water bowl (in far the end) and a normal sized ceramic bowl under the heat source (a 150w ceramic). I’ve also sealed up three of the vents leaving just the one open.

I have two separate digital thermometers / hydrometers at each end of the viv. One is 2 inches off the floor and at the other end is about 12 inches off the floor (both are attached the back of the viv). I also mist spray once day. I am struggling to get either end over 50%. Any ideas as I thought I’d have done enough? Both meters can’t be wrong surly, can they…..? I’ve order a couple of the cheap stick on ones to see what they read (still in the post)

I’ve even turn off the rad in the room as to try not to dry the air out. The viv isn't sat on anything warm as its on a desk and air can circulate underneath fine.

Ideally i want to maintain 60%-70% as the viv houses my dwarf retic. Its a wooden viv by the way.

Has anyone had any experience with these humidifiers / foggers / misters that you can now get?

Mikoh4792 · 02-13-14, 10:48 AM

A clear picture of the vivarium will help us help you.

My initial guess jugding from the info you've given is that the ceramic bulb is the main culprit, along with ventilation. Especially since you are using a substrate like orchid bark(which is good at keeping up humidity levels). I'd like to see just how much ventilation there is in the enclosure.

I use unprinted newspaper and radiant heat panels for my enclosures, and without misting they stay at a constant %50-60 during the winter(very dry), and even higher during the summer. No misting at all. One big water bowl on the cool end.

Lankyrob · 02-13-14, 10:49 AM

In a well sealed wooden viv i easily maintained 80% humidity whilst using a CHE, i would guess at too much airflow as that is the natural enemy of humidity, pictures would help advise you.

MCB · 02-13-14, 10:55 AM

Here are three pictures:

Lankyrob · 02-13-14, 10:58 AM

That is basically the same set up i was using, are all the joints totally sealed?

The vents you have seem to be bigger than the ones i had, mine were just one and a half inch circles and there were only two.

Mikoh4792 · 02-13-14, 10:59 AM

Setup seems fine for heat/humidity. Maybe it has something to do with the vents being at the bottom? Otherwise I don't see what it could be. Those vents are not particularly large.

Or maybe your hydrometers are not reading the humidity levels correctly/ placed in the wrong spots.

Lankyrob · 02-13-14, 11:00 AM

It does look kinds dry, mine used to have steamed up windows alot of the time......

MCB · 02-13-14, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Or maybe your hydrometers are not reading the humidity levels correctly/ placed in the wrong spots.

Ive just amended a pic to circle where the hydrometers are.

I'll check all the joints / seals later and have masking tape in hand!

PS Theres only one vent left open, I've sealed the others.

Mikoh4792 · 02-13-14, 11:09 AM

Try placing the probes on the side walls, instead of directly above the vents. and also more near to the ground since that is where it counts(where your snake spends most of it's time). Also which vents are you covering?

pdomensis · 02-13-14, 11:18 AM

I would give it a good misting to see how the hygrometers react. It might just be dried out and needs replenishing.

MCB · 02-13-14, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Try placing the probes on the side walls, instead of directly above the vents. and also more near to the ground since that is where it counts(where your snake spends most of it's time). Also which vents are you covering?

All but the top right are sealed up. Just darkened the room and moved the tank away from the wall, seems like theres a number of joints not totally sealed so I'll get those sorted and move the sensors tomorrow, see how that goes.

I've already spoken to the guys who are building my new viv and expressed how much I need the joints sealing up

Tgunz127 · 02-13-14, 11:58 AM

An aquarium airstone in the water dish made my humidity jump to 90% .. I have to turn it down a bit

MCB · 02-13-14, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tgunz127

An aquarium airstone in the water dish made my humidity jump to 90% .. I have to turn it down a bit

Sounds like a decent idea.

Just done some viv maintenance sealing gaps and repositioning the sensors, and also given it another good misting.

Lets see if this improve tomorrow

pdomensis · 02-13-14, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tgunz127

An aquarium airstone in the water dish made my humidity jump to 90% .. I have to turn it down a bit

Clever idea. Does that also reduce algal growth?

Tgunz127 · 02-13-14, 12:18 PM

Lol I dunno about the algae ... I clean both my water dishes daily