Humidity Control

[BuckeyeBalls]

Alright I have an update on the humidity situation. I went to Scales 'N Tails to check on their UTH prices (youch those can get expensive) and talked to them about what they do for humidity control. They clucked their tongues at my 55 Gal tank and even more so when I told them that I used aspen bedding.

They showed me some of the Eco Earth (which my wife uses for her Firebelly frogs) and cypress bedding. They let me feel the batch they had in a few tanks and it was indeed much more humid. Since a bag was only around $25 (much cheaper than a fogger or a UTH) I picked one up and am giving it a try. I just swapped out the aspen for the cypress and will see how it does. Wish me luck

Yes the eco earth and cypress hold the humidity better.

That should bump it up.

[thedarkwolf25]

Yes the eco earth and cypress hold the humidity better.

That should bump it up.

If the cypress doesn't do it we may go with the Eco Earth since she buys it anyways.

[gman8585]

Yep damp towel works perfect ,right on top of aquarium

[Piedlover]

Found all this information very helpful Thanks

[thedarkwolf25]

Btw, just how damp should the cypress be? Just barely damp or somewhat wet? I don't want her to get RI or scale rot but how damp is too damp?

[BuckeyeBalls]

Btw, just how damp should the cypress be? Just barely damp or somewhat wet? I don't want her to get RI or scale rot but how damp is too damp?

I dont think they can get a RI from to wet only to dry.

But uh... idk.. not saturated with water... a spray down should last awhile

[thedarkwolf25]

I dont think they can get a RI from to wet only to dry.

But uh... idk.. not saturated with water... a spray down should last awhile

Ok good, so just slightly damp then (I don't want to risk scale rot either)

[thedarkwolf25]

Ok an update, I think I have the issue solved! At first the humidity was still too low (analog gauge said 35%) and I was getting frustrated and pissed off. I started looking at under the tank heaters again and my wife (the smarter one here) suggested that I swap out the 150 watt Inafred bulb for the same wattage Basking bulb.

I had originally purchased the basking bulb but went to the infared after reading that if left on 24/7 it can screw with a BP's day/night cycle and stress them out. Well anyways I did it and wow what a difference! The humidity jumped from 35% to 70%! Now I think that is a little too high for her unless she is shedding so I won't be adding any water to the substrate and the humidity should start to go down. At any rate I think I finally have a solid hold the humidity. Thanks guys for all the help!