jpstod: Methods to Increase Humidity in Vivariums

[jpstod]

There is a Very Simple ways to increase humidity levels in a Vivarium. The simplest Method I found and easiest is to simply run an air line with an air stone attached and blow bubbles in the tank.Here is how I do it.

Equipment used ( Nothing Fancy)
Standard Aquarium Air pump and air hose

Standard Air Stones


On My ExoTerra tank I ran the Air Hose through the Opening in the Top and Behind The Standard Background

And buried it under pebbles. Look closely near the base of the Plant and you will see the air bubbles barely.

And here is a Happy juvenile White's tree frog hanging Out on a Brom.



On One of my Vertical 29 Gallon Tanks I nipped a corner of my glass and Notched the tank rim

Hid the Hose underneath the mosses and just placed the Stone in the back of the Tank out of sight. This Tank is tilted back so a Pond forms in the back

Here is an Adult White's tree frog on his throne all happy



On my other Vertical 29 Gallon did the same

Except I placed the air stone in the back in a simple plastic bowl and camouflaged it. This tank is not tilted.


Here you can see an Orchid that was discounted as dead last year at Home Depot is coming back to life

And a Moss Mixture coming to life.

And the Red Eyed Tree Frog Sleeping away in the Corner. 1 of 3 in the Tank


Nothing special needed nor is it a difficult technique to do.
This a simplified method of using a Canister Air Exchanger.
This Method cost me about US$12.00 for each Tank I do because I use 1 Aquarium pump per tank..and then buy air stones and line. I find the smallest and cheapest pump. I don't like to fiddle buy You could find a Bigger pump and an air manifold and regulate different lines into different tanks from one source.

[froggsong]

You can also do this by placing the air stone down into a bottle of water and running a tube from the top of the bottle into the tank. In fact, I might do that tonight on one of my tanks... I forgot I had an extra air pump...

[Epiphile]

So what type of humidity increases do you get with this method?

[beckdg]

excellent jpstod! froggy and i have discussed this and similar ideas a few times for humid fresh air. hence the post about adding humidity from a bottle of water (diy canister air exchanger). i think it's something way too often overlooked or not even considered. especially considering the price and simplicity.

epiphile... the increases are substantial... especially considering the price and simplicity.

this thread is being added to my links thread for sure!

[jpstod]

Although not air tight/sealed I have what would be considered a closed system so I get a constant high humidity.

I just put a Gauge in there and will see where it levels out at. So far the Gauge went from 55 to 72 and still Rising.

I started with an Air Exchanger, but I didn't see where it should Cost $20US+ myself. I was going to make my own I just never got around to it yet.

[froggsong]

Another great thing about a DIY air exchanger is that you can plumb it to multiple tanks and use only one air pump. It really can be quite inexpensive, both for electrical consumption and the price of materials.

jpstod, I like the look of the one you have, I didn't think to do one in a jar, but that inspired me, lol... It would be so much easier to plumb a jar than a tiny 2 liter bottle lid.

[froggsong]

actually, just curious... What is the purpose of the sponge?

[jpstod]

No Idea on the sponge. I always questioned if it really was needed.

I tried multiple hoses without a manifold. The closest tank got the Air mostly

[beckdg]

it's increased surface area for the air to pick up moisture. i'm sure of it. here's an idea... fill it up to the exact same volume of water say six times on days with similar humidity. 3 times with the sponge and 3 without. either record the time it takes to empty it to a given line or record the volume left over after a specific time. the latter is probably easier since you could just check it after work or something. i'll bet you $1 (the all important bet) that those days with the sponge more water evaporates in the same time frame. therefore it's producing more relative humidity overall.

obviously if you do this get back to us with your findings.

ps... the manifold would be important so that different length hoses will all benefit. think path of least resistance...

[jpstod]

Science / Math / Physics = To Much Work
That is why I just use one per Cage. No Guess Work involved

I found a good Use for it. I finally got around to putting Spare/Extra Plants in a Terrarium. I took the lid off and filled it with water and sat a Plant on top of it partially. I forgot to run a Fill Hose through the Hole to fill it with later. Glass front is just held in place with a few spots of Hot Glue.
Can you spot it.