Struggling with Humidity

[amwilliams]

So I've been trying to get the humidity up n my tank to 80% (I know 85 would be ideal but small goals for now). I'm also trying to keep heat up too and this seems to be a pain point for me. After messing with some ZooMed heaters, I caved and bought an Ultratherm and insulated it, and for the most part it keeps the tank around 80 (maybe dips to mid 70's at night). But man, the humidity just won't go any further than 75%. I feel like I've tried what has been suggested. I have multiple moss pits, I have a bubbler in the freshwater pool (located in front of the UTH for evaporation). I spray daily just to keep everything squishy. My lid is a solid sheet of plexiglass with a finger-sized hole so I can easily lift it, but I feel like it's small enough to not be the main culprit here. There is constantly condensation on the inside of the glass and it certainly feels humid. I calibrated the hygrometer, so that guy is good. Substrate is about 2/3 play sand, 1/3 EE (maybe a little more than a third).

I'm stumped! Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions?

[KrabbyKris]

As I was reading I was going to suggest a new hygrometer lol but it seems you have that covered. They have foggers that can be set on timers and people usually have great success with those! Hope this helps!

[Kermie16]

Ok. This is an odd question but only asking because this happened to me. Before I knew
About the compressed blocks of EE, i used the loose EE. When I switched to the compressed blocks my
Humidity improved a lot along with the bubbler pools which I saw you already have. Another question would be how often your bubblers are on? All the time or on a timer? One more question, where in your tank is your hygrometer located? Hermit crab level, tank top? Do you have a second one in the tank to compare the humidity?


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[CrabMater]

Im going to suggest you add a bag of coco fibers (eco earth, brand or equivalent) to your sand. I was just having this same problem, no matter what i did i could not get my RH over 70%. I added a good amount to my substrate, ( which is beach sand and Eco Earth) but the additional EE really helped. Im 78-80% now. I have seen a HUGE difference in the energy levels in the crabs. Way more afternoon excursions. My analog dials are both giving me the same humidity reads, but digital hygrometer will be the real test. I hope this helps you.


Sandcastle consistency= you put your finger in the substrate, if the hole doesnt collapse you are right on tje money.

[KrabbyKris]

One more question, where in your tank is your hygrometer located? Hermit crab level, tank top? Do you have a second one in the tank to compare the humidity?

This is a great point. A lot of people over look the positioning of the hygrometer.

[Kermie16]

To add to CrabMater - when u add more sub and u have a crab already buried, don't pack the sub down firmly so that any caves they have made do not collapse Good luck and please keep us posted!!


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[amwilliams]

Hygrometer is at crab level on the substrate (near a couple of the coves where I find them sleeping a lot). Bubbler is on all the time. I used the compressed EE blocks. I do already have quite a lot of EE (I may have been playing that down) and everything is at a good sandcastle consistency (holds it's shape). No guys down right now. It's just right on the cusp of 80% - which I'd just feel better getting it to tip TO 80 or a bit above.

[CrabMater]

Thank you Kermie! I neglected this fact. Please do a shell count before adding substrate. I was very lucky none of my boys were down. Packing substrate on dug in crabs may collapse underground tunnels. Molting crabs may be too weak to dig out to saftey, ultimatley being smothered. Please let us know how it goes.

[Kermie16]

Maybe just one more thought - only because I've gone through it personally (so much trial and error! Lol) but did u soak ur moss in fresh water, wring it out gently then put it in or just mist it? I have found that dunking it in FW first, then wringing it out gently and putting it in the moss pit helped tremendously as well.


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[amwilliams]

Maybe just one more thought - only because I've gone through it personally (so much trial and error! Lol) but did u soak ur moss in fresh water, wring it out gently then put it in or just mist it? I have found that dunking it in FW first, then wringing it out gently and putting it in the moss pit helped tremendously as well.


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I did pop it in and just mist it. I will try soaking it, thanks!!

[Just Jay]

the hole might seem small but when i want to bring my humidity down i will crack the same size hole and if i forget about it for to long the humidity can drop by up to 10% so try putting a towel on the top. also i added some netting sprayed with salt water and that helped alot with my humidity problems.

[Rawrgeous]

I also will mention that analog gauges tend to be more inaccurate, I had to get a digital, because even after calibration my zoo med one just wasn't working right. Larger water dishes would create more surface area to raise the humidity, as well as the suggestions above. If you still can't get it up, a fogger might be the next best choice. I use a cheap humidifier from Walmart with dechlorinated water for a few minutes if I ever need a quick boost.