Humidity Thread.

I just bought a four paws Reptile Humidity Indicator. Pic Related. Not a fan of these types but couldn't find anything at wal-mart and this is all the exotic pet store had... I was not impressed.

http://www.reptilesupply.com/images/045663790103.jpg

Also, general, "What do you use to gauge your humidity thread"

I use these, they have them at Wall*Mart, but if you local one doesn't for some reason (they usually are in the strangest places: paint section, light bulb section, one time I even saw them in the auto section) you can buy them online.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

They measure 2 temperatures and humidity. Costs $12

I can't say about accuracy of the one you posted I have not used one. Hygrometers are very easy to check so I would recommend testing it. (salt test) Most will recommend digital hygrometers (Hi Aaron :-) I am not one of them. Cheap digital systems use electrical resistance to measure humidity. The calibration of resistance types is very difficult (same way most digital meters measure temps too) ANYTHING that changes the resistance changes the reading, dust dirt pee bent cord and many other causes.

I like analogue ones with METAL face cards (paper cards often warp and jam the needle) the metal type designed for cigar humidors are calibratable so that with the simple salt test you can check and adjust them if they need it.

http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Bezel-Rou...023356&sr=8-22

The listed specs on the last accurite I owned was +/-2ºF and +/- 20% RH The best one I had was 1.8ºF hight and 15% low. so it read 92 it was actually 93.8 and it read 55% it actually was 45% I never will trust them I have the ability to check (I calibrate instruments at work makes sense doesn't it) But most don't have 1000$ thermometers kicking around.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kitedemon

I can't say about accuracy of the one you posted I have not used one. Hygrometers are very easy to check so I would recommend testing it. (salt test) Most will recommend digital hygrometers (Hi Aaron :-) I am not one of them. Cheap digital systems use electrical resistance to measure humidity. The calibration of resistance types is very difficult (same way most digital meters measure temps too) ANYTHING that changes the resistance changes the reading, dust dirt pee bent cord and many other causes.

I like analogue ones with METAL face cards (paper cards often warp and jam the needle) the metal type designed for cigar humidors are calibratable so that with the simple salt test you can check and adjust them if they need it.

http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Bezel-Rou...023356&sr=8-22

The listed specs on the last accurite I owned was +/-2ºF and +/- 20% RH The best one I had was 1.8ºF hight and 15% low. so it read 92 it was actually 93.8 and it read 55% it actually was 45% I never will trust them I have the ability to check (I calibrate instruments at work makes sense doesn't it) But most don't have 1000$ thermometers kicking around.

---

I agree that they are not the best, but for the price I like them. I have a 4 channel lab grade data acquisition unit alone with some temperature and humidity probes (along with others as this isn't actually for my snakes but my engineering degree :) ) on the way so I will be able to run some tests of my own soon enough. Maybe I'll stick with these, maybe I won't. Only time will tell buying the mean time the accurites have served me well so I will continue on with them until I have reasons otherwise.

The best gauge for humidity is whether your snake sheds in one piece.
If it doesn't shed in one piece then you need to up the humidity, if it does shed in one piece then you've got plenty of humidity.
I don't trust any cheap hygrometer but I do trust the snake's shed.

Jerry has this one right for sure.

I deal with instruments everyday so I tend to use them as a crutch. I am also crazy fussy with them I will accept 5% up or down but I really want less than 1%. I don't have the ability to calibrate to this accuracy, the salt tests are only to 1% +/-.

I have been trying to learn to let it go and have managed to not toss a thermometer that when tested today was 1.2ºF high.

Ok I just did toss it. I really should not write in posts like this my standard is too high un reasonable for most to manage. The accurite is likely fine just keep in mind it is likely off by a bit and plan according say set the hot spot to be 91 and if it is high be a degree or two it is still fine same for a degree or two low. Assume it is within a 3 or 4 degree range and set based on this. Same for the hygrometer (40-80% can't even think about that) if the snake sheds it is good.