Humidity problem

[Francesco]

Ok my tank was doing fine on humidity. Top covered kept it at about 60% now it won't keep it at all I spray it down and i see it on the Gage then 5 minutes later I see lines like there is no humidity. What's going on?


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.563917,-122.373328

[LizardPants]

First, I'd get a new hygrometer, or test the one that you have. Don't trust the 'stick on' analog dials that you find at pet stores. A $12 Accurite from Target will do much better.

That's just a start. For something nicer, check a cigar store, or if you want even better accuracy (maybe overkill) a lab quality hygrometer from Cole Parmer.

[Francesco]

I have a zilla hygrometer and thermometer it was working great, I have another one and it works great on my other tank


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.563936,-122.373340

[LizardPants]

Is that a digital thermometer/hygrometer combo, or a dial? No one on here will tell you that those stick-on dials are any good.

[kitedemon]

What kind of a drop are you seeing? My first thought as well is the instrument they are notoriously poor digitals are very sensitive to any contamination of the probe. If you are seeing dramatic changes rapidly I'd assume the instrument is at fault. IE it reads 30% spray the inclosure it reads 70% and ten mins later it is reading low agin. You might check the probes cord, if it is crunched at all it will deliver false readings (they are a resistive, any change in the resistance of the wire will change the reading.) Analogue dials are much more robust the types with metal face cards and calibration screws seem to be quite good. You could pick one up (smoke shop) to check the zilla.

[LizardPants]

This? http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-R-Zilla-.../dp/B0043XHZJ4

Those can still be off, as can Accurites. I'm just having a hard time believing your humidity is low in Seattle, so my first suspect is the hygrometer. There is a way to test it though, Google the hygrometer salt test.

If your hygrometer is right, I'd consider switching to a tub set-up. Details of which you can find here.

[LizardPants]

Looks like KiteDemon types faster than I do...

[Francesco]

I just took the temp/hygrometer from my humidor so now it reads 90% humidity and 80 ambient


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.564126,-122.373560

[LizardPants]

See

[kitedemon]

Humidor ones tend to be very very good. Some of the digital ones have the calibration on the front and it moves easily too easily it might get changes by cruising snakes... mine did.