Summer humidity

[alalsip]

So, I live in west Michigan and today I was thinking about how high the humidity gets. We can be at 75 with 100% humidity and we usually don't turn the air on until 85 or so. How would we combat that humidity level? I'm sure we will still have to have the basking light on, but it won't be on very high so I'm guessing it won't kill that much of the humidity. Anyone else live in an area like this? What is your experience?

We have a 100g glass tank with screen top. 36 inch t5 10.0 uvb and a 120 watt basking bulb. Tile substrate.

Falkor is just a baby so this will be our first summer! Thanks for your help!

 

[Dawn McNair]

I had the same thoughts living in central Texas..high humidity in summer. Hubby brought up the idea of those silicon packets that are in the tennis shoes. I forgot their name. But the remove moisture from air. He can get those from work and we were thinking of tying some up out of reach. Don't know if it will work, so would love to hear thoughts and solutions. Moos humidity is already in the low 50s.

 

[alalsip]

Yikes, we have the heat on here still. Humidity is lucky to reach 40 in Falkor's cage at this point

 

[Dawn McNair]

Oh it's in the 70s right now and we've had loads and loads of rain. You couldn't pay me to live up north! LOL

 

[cricket05]

Worried about the same thing here in Indiana -- awful humidity in the summer time. I will definitely take his water bowl out for summer, but am wondering about other options also. Dawn, anxious to hear about the silica packets! (I think that is what they are called?)

 

[Dawn McNair]

I will let you know. Hubby has to order from his supplier. Thank God my hubby works for Fastenal. I can get just about anything from him at cost! Even getting a temp gun from him. LOL

(I do miss when he worked selling appliances and getting new appliances at cost, especially considering we need a new fridge.). LOL

 

[PatsyB]

I wonder if a fan next to the tank would do anything. Do they make small dehumidifiers?

 

[Dawn McNair]

Hubby is bringing home some silica packs tomorrow. We will put them somewhere she can't reach them and see if that brings the humidity down any. If that doesn't work, I'll have to look into a dehumidifier. Not that it will hurt much having one in the house anyway in the summer. Lord knows our air conditioner would probably like it.

 

[jarich]

Humidity shouldn't be a problem, even that high, as long as the air is circulating well and the basking spot is getting the right temperatures. Problems happen when you have poor ventilation and high humidity, mostly due to fungal blooms.

The silica packets wouldn't do much unless you sealed the enclosure unfortunately. The dehumidifier for your house may help, and the AC will also do some of that for you too.

 

[Dawn McNair]

Well huh. The humidity has gone down in her enclosure. I'll keep an eye on it come summer time. Thanks for the info on the silica packs.

 

[alalsip]

Apparently humidity might be a problem. Looks like Falkor has a Respiratory Infection

 

[jarich]

What are the temperatures in your basking area and cool side? How cool does the enclosure get at night?

 

[alalsip]

Basking is 100-115, cool side is 85. Night time temps are 75. Humidity is 39 % at night and lower then 40% during the day. We have a sheet covering her enclosure now, so she not getting good ventilation though. But it's helping with the humidity... I'm at a loss for what to do. Or humidity is always higher then 70% and it's not going to get much better. We are 5 miles from Lake Michigan. And a dehumidifier won't work, her enclosure is in the living room which is completely open to the rest of the house

 

[jarich]

Humidity is not the issue with the RI, at those levels especially. Those temperatures sound good too. Im a little confused, are you covering the enclosure in an attempt to lower the humidity or to raise it? What makes you think he has an RI?