Humidity

[MysticCaribou]

Hi,
I have two Cherryhead hatchlings. Humidity, as always is an issue Is there a way to measure the humidity in the different parts of the habitat. Something like the infrared temp gauge only for humidity? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

These are just ten bucks from Lowes or the Home Depot

 

[jockma]

These are just ten bucks from Lowes or the Home Depot

ALWAYS get stuff like this from Home Depot. The pet store hygrometers don't stand a chance against these.

I think some temperature guns also measure humidity. I think the price for those might be scary so I'd go with what @ZEROPILOT suggested.

 

[MysticCaribou]

Thank you Jockma, ZEROPILOT - Thank you. can I just lay them in an area or do they need to be mounted?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I've got mine velcroed/ double sided taped to the walls.
They have a clip on the back. I wouldn't just lay them down because they are water resistant, but not water proof.

 

[MysticCaribou]

I have one velcroed to the side - but it is just measuring the humidity there - being a few inches above the substrate. And I can't remove it, as the velcro is stuck. I want to know what it is in the places that the torts seem to be most often. I'll buy the one you suggested and just lay it in the different areas. Thank you, I appreciate your advice.

 

[Yvonne G]

It helps a whole lot to cover the enclosure.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

There is a more elaborate one with a probe on a wire. You mount the meter wherever and place the probe in the substrate many inches away.
I've never had one.
I generally use closed chamber enclosures and the humidity is pretty uniform. (As Yvonne points out)

 

[jockma]

My tort ripped one of them off the wall. It was stuck on pretty good too. If you can't get it unstuck, let the tort go at it. (just kidding)

Closed top enclosure gets me to 85% humidity, give or take, and is easily maintained. I've never had it fall below 70% and that was after I accidentally left it open for a while. Honestly I rarely feel the need to look at the humidity gauges anymore because I can just know it's humid enough if it feels like I'm dunking my hand in warm butter when I reach in there.

 

[MysticCaribou]

Thank you everyone. I need to have an enclosure built for me. Anyone know of a set of plans for a good type of enclosure. I keep trying to make the tortoise table I have work, but it isn't and I need to get this done. No more of this 'make do' stuff. I'm too paranoid and I want these Cherryheads to make it. I surprise myself how attached to them I am. Here's what I have now.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Plastic marijuana has very little nutrition.

Joking, sorry. Do you know what type of wood that is? Simply cutting plexiglass sheets and dropping them in the roof frame work would work, but it could also cause mold and rot.

 

[MysticCaribou]

I know and it doesn't roll well either.
It's just plywood. Its a 'Zoomed Tortoise House.'

 

[Alexio]

What is the black liner that your using on the bottom of the enclosure under the substrate?

 

[MysticCaribou]

It's a heavy plastic tarp like thing that I cut to fit. I bought it at Home Depot.

 

[Alexio]

Okay as long as it holds water that's good so you can really moisten the substrate. I use the same plastic but in clear on the sides and tops of my closed chambers.
This one I used a blue tarp on the bottom and clear plastic on the top and sides. I prefer the 6 mil but the 4 mil is okay to.

 

[MysticCaribou]

I would have preferred clear, but the price was great on the black one. Thank you for the photo - that looks wonderful.

 

[MysticCaribou]

Plastic marijuana has very little nutrition.

Joking, sorry. Do you know what type of wood that is? Simply cutting plexiglass sheets and dropping them in the roof frame work would work, but it could also cause mold and rot.

I am getting the plexiglass as you suggested. Thank you. This will give me time to plan out the new habitat for them.

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Check out our enclosure section for ideas.
Also check out @Pearly thread on a humid enclosure for redfoot hatchlings. Its really helpful and she's included many pictures.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/pearlys-40-gal-tank-covered-top.139373/

 

[Pearly]

Thank you everyone. I need to have an enclosure built for me. Anyone know of a set of plans for a good type of enclosure. I keep trying to make the tortoise table I have work, but it isn't and I need to get this done. No more of this 'make do' stuff. I'm too paranoid and I want these Cherryheads to make it. I surprise myself how attached to them I am. Here's what I have now. View attachment 178416

Looking very nice in there

 

[Pearly]

Plastic marijuana has very little nutrition.

Joking, sorry. Do you know what type of wood that is? Simply cutting plexiglass sheets and dropping them in the roof frame work would work, but it could also cause mold and rot.

Bahahaha! Ed, you're too funny! i think the foliage is beautiful! I wouldn't mind growing it in my garden