humidity concerns

[childofgod]

Hi, I am very new to the hobby. I have only been set up for a couple weeks or so. I have had good luck with keeping the humidity up until the last two days. I have a herpkeeper with the humidity alarm set at 79% it keeps going off. I have a completely covered top, a misting system that goes off for 15 sec. two times a day and a fogger that's on for 1 hour two times a day. I did put in plants a couple days ago I didn't think that would have done it. So if anyone could help me out here I would be very appreciated. Thanks to all.

[RanaVenenosa]

Any pics of your viv so we can see the design ?? Also, please add your location as that helps get you in touch w many local froggers, but also can tell us about other challenges w humidity, such that if your living in Arizona vs Florida.

And a big Welcome to Dart Den!

Scott

[childofgod]

I hope this will help.

[Philsuma]

What's your top covering consist of ?

Are your lights too hot ?

Is your probe set to high in the viv ?

Some thoughts.

[RanaVenenosa]

Additional ques: what is temp in room vs temp in the viv? Is your light within a hood? if so any fans? Was this a reef tank setup conv into frog viv?

[childofgod]

The stand is from a reef tank, the tank is brand new, the lid is a newly purchased glass lid for a fish tank, I am using a brand new T8 lighting under a canopy that was recommended to me a local pet store. No fans, when I went to bed at 10, with the lights off, the humidity was at 100%. The alarm work me at 4am at 79%.

[childofgod]

Sorry mist a couple questions the room temp is about 68 deg. and the tank was 72 deg. when it went off. It's about 80 deg. during the day. Yes the probe is high in the tank. Where should it be?

[Philsuma]

probe should be mid-way to closer to the bottom. The bottom third percent of the glass.

[RanaVenenosa]

Few things - if the tank is new, it can take a few weeks to stabilize the humidity as the materials need to absorb the moisture. Your temp is too high for a 68 house temp. You need a fan integrated into your lid. I would also add some form of vents on the lid to allow excess heat to escape. Make sure to test the temps at bottom, midway and top of viv to have good understanding of your viv environment. Dont let temps go over 83 as you moving into danger zone. Ideal is to manage temps at max of 80F, you always want a buffer. If you work w high altitude frogs or Phyllobates you need to consider 77-78 as max temp. My 2 cents.

-Scott

[Rusty_Shackleford]

You might want to experiment with raising the lights up from the glass top by a few inches. This might help keeep the temp. in the viv. lower. I use little cut pieces of 1x2 to raise up some CFL's away from the top glass. It does lower the temp by a few degrees. In the winter I have the option of removing the blocks to keep the viv a little warmer.

[Philsuma]

Every frogger should invest in a Temp gun...only @ 30 bucks and worth it's weight in gold.

lighting-misting-systems-tweaks-modifications-f39/temp-gun-use-t5520.html

[childofgod]

I was under the impression that the tank should be about 70ish at night and 80ish during the day. Is it ok for the frogs to be at 68deg.?

[Philsuma]

68F is fine. Drops to 60F for "winter" or off-season is ok too.

80F is when you need to pay attention and closely watch - warning for temps too high

"normal room temperatures" for most peoples homes are what I go by - low to mid 70's....plus or minus.

[childofgod]

I am looking to install a fan today... should the fan blow in or out of the viv ?

[Philsuma]

It could almost be either one, depending upon what you are trying to achieve. Are you trying for general clearing of glass to see in better, or airflow to help plants like orchids ?

Generally, those small computer fans get placed in safe housings and put inside the viv.

I use a clip fan that's pretty strong to blow across the outside top - reducing the heat from my lights and clearing the front glass a bit...all outside the tank.

[childofgod]

Looking to reduce heat from lighting.

[Philsuma]

Easy then.....go to bed bath and beyond or similar store and buy a small fan - I like those "clip" fans and then, just direct it to blow across the top of the outside of the tank and light fixture. Should reduce @ 3-4 degrees.

[childofgod]

My top is not vented should I put in some venting.

[Philsuma]

believe it or not.....try it first without any visible vents or gaps. Just direct the fan...near...over...the top and give it a few hours to a day and see whatcha got. You'll be suprised what airflow will do on it's own - finding it's way into gaps and cracks you don't see. You may have to experiment on fan power / speed and direction - tilt ect....but give it a go without any hard mods and see where you are at.

[childofgod]

Thanks a lot for the info.