Humidity

[LaSunshine]

You've made the right choice. As I explained to the poster above in 2016, that old info is incorrect and it leads to the death of a large percentage of the babies that hatch annually. Dave wrote that site to directly contradict the work we were doing here 10 years ago. He's since gone back on it all, but the site still sits there. I haven't talked to Dave in years now. I don't do FB or any of that stuff, so I hope he's doing okay.

Keep soaking daily. Keep your humidity 80% or higher, and your CHE should be set on a thermostat so that it runs day and night to keep the ambient temps above 80F.

I have a thermostat linked to a Che. During the day, I have a flood light on for him. The thermostat reader usually reads 84 degrees. He’s in a 100 gallon tank and I placed a wood top to keep in the humidity. I add water by spray bottle a few times a day. I also wet a small towel daily and place that on top of his house, which is under the
CHE. Does this sound ok?
The problem I have is evaluating the humidity as well as the temp on the hotter /cooler flood light side (where thermostat reader isn’t). I have purchased different types of gauges and I don’t trust any of them! Can you suggest something (inexpensive, please)?
baby Yoda is pretty cute and I love him... want the best for him... but... I’ve spent Soooooo much already! Thank u!

 

[LaSunshine]

Ps

I have a thermostat linked to a Che. During the day, I have a flood light on for him. The thermostat reader usually reads 84 degrees. He’s in a 100 gallon tank and I placed a wood top to keep in the humidity. I add water by spray bottle a few times a day. I also wet a small towel daily and place that on top of his house, which is under the
CHE. Does this sound ok?
The problem I have is evaluating the humidity as well as the temp on the hotter /cooler flood light side (where thermostat reader isn’t). I have purchased different types of gauges and I don’t trust any of them! Can you suggest something (inexpensive, please)?
baby Yoda is pretty cute and I love him... want the best for him... but... I’ve spent Soooooo much already! Thank u!

ps the thermostat reader is place right in the middle of the tank.

 

[LaSunshine]

He also gets 15 min of regular sun On most days ... an average of about 75 minutes a week in the sun. Please let me know... is this right?

 

[LaSunshine]

Sorry, one more thing, the flood light is there to provide... ? I’m assuming additional heat and “sun” like place to lay out under. Am I missing something?

 

[Tom]

Ps

ps the thermostat reader is place right in the middle of the tank.

The probe for your thermostat should be over on the cool side, away from all the heat.

 

[Tom]

Sorry, one more thing, the flood light is there to provide... ? I’m assuming additional heat and “sun” like place to lay out under. Am I missing something?

That is correct. Its a simulated sun for when they are indoors.

 

[Tom]

He also gets 15 min of regular sun On most days ... an average of about 75 minutes a week in the sun. Please let me know... is this right?

Just fine.

 

[Tom]

I have a thermostat linked to a Che. During the day, I have a flood light on for him. The thermostat reader usually reads 84 degrees. He’s in a 100 gallon tank and I placed a wood top to keep in the humidity. I add water by spray bottle a few times a day. I also wet a small towel daily and place that on top of his house, which is under the
CHE. Does this sound ok?
The problem I have is evaluating the humidity as well as the temp on the hotter /cooler flood light side (where thermostat reader isn’t). I have purchased different types of gauges and I don’t trust any of them! Can you suggest something (inexpensive, please)?
baby Yoda is pretty cute and I love him... want the best for him... but... I’ve spent Soooooo much already! Thank u!

I just use the thermometers from Walmart or the hardware store. They are close enough.

Spraying the substrate doesn't do much. Its good for their shell if you spray the tortoise, but doesn't help with the humidity much. You need to dump water into a thick layer of substrate for that. Shouldn't need a wet towel. Too much ventilation if that is needed.

 

[LaSunshine]

The probe for your thermostat should be over on the cool side, away from all the heat.

What should the cool side be? 80degrees?

 

[LaSunshine]

What should the cool side be? 80degrees?

Why on cool side? Not questioning your expertise... is it better for the thermostat? Or tort? Thx ?

 

[MichiganMan]

Why on cool side? Not questioning your expertise... is it better for the thermostat? Or tort? Thx ?

I'm guessing if you put it on the hot side it will constantly turn off and your cool side will end up being cold. If you put it on the cool side then it wont shut off until your cool side is the desired temp. If that makes sense.

 

[Tom]

What should the cool side be? 80degrees?

Yes. The coldest part of the whole enclosure should not drop below 80 day or night.

 

[Tom]

Why on cool side? Not questioning your expertise... is it better for the thermostat? Or tort? Thx ?

What Michigan man said...

If the probe is near the warm side and heating elements, it will cut off when the warm side reaches the set point, but the cool side will never get warm enough. We don't want the thermostat to shut the heat off until the coolest portion of the enclosure is warm enough. And remember that 80 is the minimum. If the warm side gets up to the high 80's or low 90s during the day, that is a good thing. Most people don't keep sulcatas and stars warm enough. They like it hot. Just not too hot.

 

[LaSunshine]

What Michigan man said...

If the probe is near the warm side and heating elements, it will cut off when the warm side reaches the set point, but the cool side will never get warm enough. We don't want the thermostat to shut the heat off until the coolest portion of the enclosure is warm enough. And remember that 80 is the minimum. If the warm side gets up to the high 80's or low 90s during the day, that is a good thing. Most people don't keep sulcatas and stars warm enough. They like it hot. Just not too hot.

Ok. So 80 is the lowest... what’s the highest comfortable hot spot?

 

[LaSunshine]

The probe for your thermostat should be over on the cool side, away from all the heat.

Tom, should the hide be in the middle or on hotter side?

 

[Tom]

Ok. So 80 is the lowest... what’s the highest comfortable hot spot?

It should be around 95-100 directly under the basking lamp, and ambient in the whole thing can creep into the low 90s each day.

Since the whole enclosure is warm, it doesn't matter where you put the hide.