Humidity can be the biggest issue for most especially with a tank set up. The monsoon obviously was not the right idea as you're right you don't need standing water in the tank under the substrate. I'd say the humid hid box may be your best option, I use them in the winter months here in NC, the rest of the year I don't have the issues you guys in NV have. They are cheap, only a few bucks for those cheap Tupper Ware type containers and some moss.