Humidity and Open Tables

[nuttytortoisekeeper]

Hey everyone, before we knew any better we had purchased one of those Tortoise Table type enclosures for a juvenile Russian. We of course since discovered this forum and done our best to make changes. As opposed to throwing out all the open table supplies we had gotten we did get a humidity controlled humidifier. The room we keep the table in is small enough the humidifier has no problem holding 60% humidity and we could bump that up as well.

In addition we dampen and place wet moss in his log hide near the basking spot, and in the cool area every day to provide an even higher humidifier/temperature gradient for him to move about in.

The question is has anyone used a humidifier to solve the humidity problem before and has it been adequate or do we just need to go get a closed container?

We do enjoy the open table as it makes it easy to keep an eye on him while we work via a remote webcam but obviously his health needs to come first.

 

[Minority2]

A closed chamber setup doesn't necessary have to be a sealed and shut container. You can easily use something like a clear greenhouse cover or plastic film to created a "closed chamber" effect without actually having to cover your table with something you cannot see through.

Here are some examples of what I am referring to:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GOO83UK/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BM8HHKK/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Another more detailed example provided by fellow member Tom:
https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/

Rigging a humidifier to work inside a closed chamber is not same using a humidifier to raise the humidity levels of an entire room. For one, the humidifier runs longer and works much harder to keep a room at a stable level. This equates to more energy usage, more routine maintenance, and more refills required.

You'll still need to place a probe inside the your table to make sure you'll getting accurate readings.

 

[wellington]

If you are reading humidity in the enclosure of 60% then you should be fine. If it's the room reading
60% then it's going to be a lot lower in the enclosure. You can do what Minority 2 suggested if the enclosure humidity needs bumping up.

 

[Tortoise04]

Hey everyone, before we knew any better we had purchased one of those Tortoise Table type enclosures for a juvenile Russian. We of course since discovered this forum and done our best to make changes. As opposed to throwing out all the open table supplies we had gotten we did get a humidity controlled humidifier. The room we keep the table in is small enough the humidifier has no problem holding 60% humidity and we could bump that up as well.

In addition we dampen and place wet moss in his log hide near the basking spot, and in the cool area every day to provide an even higher humidifier/temperature gradient for him to move about in.

The question is has anyone used a humidifier to solve the humidity problem before and has it been adequate or do we just need to go get a closed container?

We do enjoy the open table as it makes it easy to keep an eye on him while we work via a remote webcam but obviously his health needs to come first.

What moss are you using? I was looking for some tortoise safe moss to put in their enclosure.

 

[TechnoCheese]

What moss are you using? I was looking for some tortoise safe moss to put in their enclosure.

I wouldn’t recommend using moss. A lot of time they just eat it.

 

[nuttytortoisekeeper]

A closed chamber setup doesn't necessary have to be a sealed and shut container. You can easily use something like a clear greenhouse cover or plastic film to created a "closed chamber" effect without actually having to cover your table with something you cannot see through.

Do these block the UVB at all or do I need to fix the light under the film?

 

[TechnoCheese]

Do these block the UVB at all or do I need to fix the light under the film?

You need it under the film.