Why can't I keep the humidity up in my tank?

[Est. 1983]

Hey guys, I am having a hard time keeping the humidity at the level that I want...I am using a exo terra 18x18x24 terrarium...I am misting twice a day...and just hooked up a humidifier to the terrarium that runs for 4 hrs and still am not able to keep the humidity up...Please someone write back and tell me what it could be...

[Grimm]

Um...Are you using one of those useless puck style guages? Those things are terrible. Mine was stuck at 150% humidity when it was in my tank.

If you are using a reliable meter, then it could be one of the following problems.

-Too much ventillation from the mesh top. Try getting glass cut to size so the mesh can be covered.
-Not enough REAL plants could be a cause. They definately help in maintaining high himidity.

I think if you posted a picture of your tank it would help a lot. Personally I think if you are using a humidifier you should not have a humidity problem. It is probably the measuring tool that is at fault.

[froggsong]

Also, if it IS a digital meter, it could need new batteries, or the humidity sensor could be fried. This can happen when exposed to 100+% humidity for too long, or being sprayed directly from misting (or being under the output from your fogger).

[Est. 1983]

I will post pictures...if someone could explain how to add them to a post...I click on the insert image tab and it says type in a url...any thoughts on this...I will say that I don't have any live plants in the terrarium...I don't think I want to have to do that much work...i clean out the terrarium (take out all the plants and clean them and change the substrate) every 3 weeks...I do use the temperature and humidity gauge that came with the terrarium...I was also thinking about getting a piece of plexiglass and cutting it to within the top of where the screen sits...so if you guys could tell me how to upload my pictures i would show you exactly what i am working with...

[froggsong]

Upload them to a hosting site, either the gallery here or to something like photobucket. Then gram the IMG code, and paste it into the thread. If you grab the IMG code, all you have do is paste it, you don't have to click the button.

I think it's likely your meter, if the one that came with it is a puck meter (like a round dial).

[Est. 1983]

i added pictures to my account...so if you guys could take a look and find out what i am needing to keep up the humidity...

[Est. 1983]

here is a link to my terrarium...okay guys...have at it...


You can see my two whites tree frogs in the upper right...another question...why is the big one a brown color...sometimes she is a lighter green...but more times than not she is brown...plus how do i tell if they are male or female...i could add more pictures to let you see them more close up if need be...

[Grimm]

Yup, its the guage that is the problem. Almost 100% guaranteed especially since it is place near the bottom section of the viv.

A ventillation fan would help to spread the humidity throughout the tank also.

Honestly, I was expecting much worse when you said no live plants, but it doesnt look too bad.

[Est. 1983]

I had the fog going into the top of the tank and it made it so cloudy in there that you could not see anything at all...I looked like cheech and chong were in there smoking it up...So i moved the tubing to the bottom of the terrarium to make it look like low lying fog...two questions...do you think if i get a sheet of acrylic plexiglass and cut them to fit into the screened sectioned of the mesh lid(i would drill holes into the plexiglass to allow some venting) would help with keeping the humidity in the tank...and secondly...will any digital hygro-termo gauge work...and where can i find a cheap one that will get the job done...possible a store around my city...

[froggsong]

Is that gauge on the outside of the door glass?