Humidity issues

[Tortiouse firl]

I currently have a sulcata who is 6 months. I struggle to get the humidity up in a large enclosure Wich is 7 feet long. I have tried misting the enclosure every day creating a humidity hide and even keeping water bowls in the tank but nothing is keeping the enclosure up in humidity levels. The humidity will not get past 30% and I know having around 80% is crucial for baby’s . Is there anything else I can do other than Misting and creating a humidity hide? I take him baths every day, to keep hydrated as well. I also looked into having a humidifier, but heard it causes respiratory issues.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

I currently have a sulcata who is 6 months. I struggle to get the humidity up in a large enclosure Wich is 7 feet long. I have tried misting the enclosure every day creating a humidity hide and even keeping water bowls in the tank but nothing is keeping the enclosure up in humidity levels. The humidity will not get past 30% and I know having around 80% is crucial for baby’s . Is there anything else I can do other than Misting and creating a humidity hide? I take him baths every day, to keep hydrated as well. I also looked into having a humidifier, but heard it causes respiratory issues.

I'm going to guess it is an open top? Get a greenhouse as close to the size of his enclosure as you can. This will make a huge difference.

Check out this thread that Littleredfootbigheart put together. It will help you see different ways you can close things up and get that humidity higher.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! If we could get a little more housing information from you that would be great! It’ll be so helpful in giving pointers to help your humidity issueyou may have covered all this in previous threads, but a refresh would be good so we’re all on the same page

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of basking bulb do you use?
What’s your indoor uv type?
Is it a closed chamber set up?
What do you use for substrate?
What kind of monitoring do you have?

A photo of the full set up would be great if you’re willing to share!

Some off the bat advice, misting does very little in keeping humidity where needed, the lukewarm water pour method in a closed chamber is your best bet, I have some handy links I can share once we get a better idea on your set up

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Oops I just realized I forgot the link. Here you go

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Tortiouse firl]

I'm going to guess it is an open top? Get a greenhouse as close to the size of his enclosure as you can. This will make a huge difference.

Check out this thread that Littleredfootbigheart put together. It will help you see different ways you can close things up and get that humidity higher.

It’s actually a closed chamber that’s why I struggle and I have plexi glass completely covering.

 

[Tortiouse firl]

Hello! If we could get a little more housing information from you that would be great! It’ll be so helpful in giving pointers to help your humidity issueyou may have covered all this in previous threads, but a refresh would be good so we’re all on the same page

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of basking bulb do you use?
What’s your indoor uv type?
Is it a closed chamber set up?
What do you use for substrate?
What kind of monitoring do you have?

A photo of the full set up would be great if you’re willing to share!

Some off the bat advice, misting does very little in keeping humidity where needed, the lukewarm water pour method in a closed chamber is your best bet, I have some handy links I can share once we get a better idea on your set up

°.Right now I use a TB 10% UVB. During the day I use a Arcadia 75 W heat bulb which keeps the basking at around 95 to 100 on the course side of the tank it stays from around 85 to 90°. I also have a closed chamber with plexiglass on top and stacked enclosures. For my substrate, I use coco coir, and Cypress mulch mix together. I will also include how I monitor temperature and a photo of my enclosure. Thank you! PS the temperatures on the gauge are not correct. I just had to turn the lights on because it is nighttime.

 

[Tortiouse firl]

Oops I just realized I forgot the link. Here you go

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Thank you!

 

[Megatron's Mom]

It’s actually a closed chamber that’s why I struggle and I have plexi glass completely covering.

Oh good. So now check out where your humidity gage is sitting. Is it down at tortoise level? Next check it you have any gaps, air vents. Close them off if you do.

 

[COmtnLady]

Your substrate doesn't seem to be damp. In order to keep humidity up its good to have a damp, packed down, coco coir base.

Try pulling it out, putting it into a bucket (clean, no soap residue, not used around oily or nasty stuff - I'd create a dedicated "only for tortoise use" new bucket and keep it only for use around the torts) with warm water until it gets good and wet, push it down/sink it. Once it is wet, wring it out and pack it back into the bottom of your enclosure, then put some of the dry stuff on top and pat it down into the base of your enclosure. A good base should be two to four inches deep. That should provide the basis for the humidity.

Once you get a good reading, any time it begins to drop all you have to do is pour a cup of warm water into each corner until its back where it should be. If you don't start with the damp hand-packed base though, trying to keep the humidity stable will make you crazy. If there is nothing to hold it, there is no way to balance it.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

°.Right now I use a TB 10% UVB. During the day I use an Arcadia 75 W heat bulb which keeps the basking at around 95 to 100 on the course side of the tank it stays from around 85 to 90°. I also have a closed chamber with plexiglass on top and stacked enclosures. For my substrate, I use coco coir, and Cypress mulch mix together. I will also include how I monitor temperature and a photo of my enclosure. Thank you! PS the temperatures on the gauge are not correct. I just had to turn the lights on because it is nighttime.

Thank you for the photos and info! Nice looking enclosure that! I’m right in saying the zen habitat has a mesh top? Did you cover that with some sort of plexiglass or even foil before stacking the others on top? If not I’d definitely suggest doing that asap! As well as giving the suggestions above a go comtnlady could be right, perhaps your substrate isn’t damp enough too?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Another thing is, that your substrate isn't that deep. With deeper substrate it is easier to have a damp lower level.

 

[EppsDynasty]

Humidifier on an InkBird Controller. Humidifier is ok as long as it is not a 'Cool' Humidifier, or a fogger these are a no no for breathing. Those can even cause respiratory issues in Humans.