Substrate to REDUCE humidity?

[CntrlF8]

Is there such a thing? My humidity is constantly too high, above 80% quite frequently. I'm experimenting with different diameter bowls to see what I can do with that. I know about the rice in a bag thing, and I'm going to do that as a last resort, but any suggestions on a different substrate to use? Using newspaper only now...

[JLC]

Newspaper is your best bet for substrate. I'm assuming you're using a tub-enclosure? What kind of holes do you have for ventilation? What's the ambient humidity in the room? Setting up a fan nearby to circulate air around the enclosure may help. Also, the smallest diameter bowl you can find...placed as far away from the heat source as you can put it.

[CntrlF8]

I'm experimenting with ventilation holes right now also, I should've mentioned that... My primary problem is that I'm having cool-side temp issues too, which I'm afraid will be compounded by ventilating the tubs. This is in a Reptile Basics closed rack, btw... Only one side exposed to the environment.

Room humidity seems pretty stable in the 44-50% range.

[fishmommy]

you might try shredded paper or Aspen bedding
maybe even Carefresh.

They are all moisture absorbant, and have a lot more surface area to absorb humidity from the air than a flat sheet of paper.

[Tainted Glory]

I had an issue with humidity in my RBI rack as well. I remedied the problem by drilling a total of ten holes in each tub (8 along the front and 2 on the sides, toward the front). I now only fill my water dishes half way and keep them on the cool side. A combination of these things has stabilized my humidity to where I like it.

I'm using newspaper substrate btw,

[CntrlF8]

I had an issue with humidity in my RBI rack as well. I remedied the problem by drilling a total of ten holes in each tub (8 along the front and 2 on the sides, toward the front). I now only fill my water dishes half way and keep them on the cool side. A combination of these things has stabilized my humidity to where I like it.

I'm using newspaper substrate btw,

Well, the depth of the water makes no difference whatsoever. Surface area is what impacts the evaporative coefficient, and thus the humidity. I've been working with various water dishes, and think I've got the right ones now. I also melted holes every 2" all the way around the upper lip of the tubs, so it's very well ventilated now. I'm using 2 different combinations of water bowls. One larger single bowl for my adult tubs, and 2 smaller bowls for the tubs I have dividers in. It's maintaining humidity in the 52-57% range right now, after 2 days.

[Rapture]

sounds like you're all set...

[Tainted Glory]

Thanks for the clarification. I think I'm going to add holes all around my tubs, too.

[Kagez28]

try using a smaller water dish, like a soufflé cup, and keeping it as close to the cool side as you can.

[CntrlF8]

sounds like you're all set...

Now if only I could get my cool-side temps up to 80...