Post by suebee on Jan 27, 2011 0:25:53 GMT -5
Some have Hygrometers but claim that they are having problems with keeping the humidity at the right levels.. First thing check your hygrometer.. it could be that is the problem and not the humidity in your tank..
Its pretty easy to do:
Things you need:
Tightly sealed see through container or Zip lock bag
Table salt a teaspoon full
A small cap like from a soda bottle to hold the salt
You will be looking to maintain maintain an exact 75% humidity in a perfectly sealed environment.
Put the salt in in the soda lid and add a few drops of water to moisten it. You do not have to dissolve it, just use a few drops of water.to make damp salt.
Next put the salt in its small container with your hygrometer into the airtight container or zip lock bag. Do not get any wet salt on the hygrometer.
Check to see that the current reading on the hygrometer is starting anywhere around the 40% to 80% range.
Seal the container or bag tightly.Leave any trapped air inside.
If you are not sure the bag or container is air tight put a secont zip lock bag or air tight container around it that you can see through.
Put it aside and wait for aprox 6 hours untill the gage seems to have stoped changing the humidity percentage and seems to be stable. Do not open the container. Read the gauge's humidity % level. It should be exactly 75%. If it is not note the difference as being the amount your hygrometer is out of calibration. If for example it reads 66%, the gauge is 9% low. If on the other hand it reads 80%, the gauge is 5% high.
Some gauges can be calibrated some can not be. If you gauge can be it sould of come with instructions to do so. Usually it takes a screw driver on the back of the gauge that works a dial on the front of the gauge. digital gauges can not usually be calibrated.
Ive seen other tests that use massive amounts of salt so i wanted to get the one i use posted to that people can check the hygrometers without tons of salt..
Hopefully this is clear!
Suebee
Just want to add a good place to have your hygrometer is close to where the crabs spend the time in the tank. It doesnt have to be sitting on the substrate, but it shouldnt be at the top of the tank edge either. I hang mine in a choya tree in the middle of the tank.. I actually have a digital one i got at walmart.. Walmart has two different digital ones.. You find them in the home department not the pet department. One is a off white and is about 5.00, not the best one i found it not to last even a year..The next model up is a black one and is about 2.00 more but ive had it for 2 years now.. It is very slightly off and i just keep that in mind when i check the gage..It has both the humidity and temp on it and it keeps a record of the lows and highs. I have heard great things about the Zoo Med Hygrotherm but your looking at close to 75.00 for that one. It is on my wish list however because it will work well with my fogger.
Its pretty easy to do:
Things you need:
Tightly sealed see through container or Zip lock bag
Table salt a teaspoon full
A small cap like from a soda bottle to hold the salt
You will be looking to maintain maintain an exact 75% humidity in a perfectly sealed environment.
Put the salt in in the soda lid and add a few drops of water to moisten it. You do not have to dissolve it, just use a few drops of water.to make damp salt.
Next put the salt in its small container with your hygrometer into the airtight container or zip lock bag. Do not get any wet salt on the hygrometer.
Check to see that the current reading on the hygrometer is starting anywhere around the 40% to 80% range.
Seal the container or bag tightly.Leave any trapped air inside.
If you are not sure the bag or container is air tight put a secont zip lock bag or air tight container around it that you can see through.
Put it aside and wait for aprox 6 hours untill the gage seems to have stoped changing the humidity percentage and seems to be stable. Do not open the container. Read the gauge's humidity % level. It should be exactly 75%. If it is not note the difference as being the amount your hygrometer is out of calibration. If for example it reads 66%, the gauge is 9% low. If on the other hand it reads 80%, the gauge is 5% high.
Some gauges can be calibrated some can not be. If you gauge can be it sould of come with instructions to do so. Usually it takes a screw driver on the back of the gauge that works a dial on the front of the gauge. digital gauges can not usually be calibrated.
Ive seen other tests that use massive amounts of salt so i wanted to get the one i use posted to that people can check the hygrometers without tons of salt..
Hopefully this is clear!
Suebee
Just want to add a good place to have your hygrometer is close to where the crabs spend the time in the tank. It doesnt have to be sitting on the substrate, but it shouldnt be at the top of the tank edge either. I hang mine in a choya tree in the middle of the tank.. I actually have a digital one i got at walmart.. Walmart has two different digital ones.. You find them in the home department not the pet department. One is a off white and is about 5.00, not the best one i found it not to last even a year..The next model up is a black one and is about 2.00 more but ive had it for 2 years now.. It is very slightly off and i just keep that in mind when i check the gage..It has both the humidity and temp on it and it keeps a record of the lows and highs. I have heard great things about the Zoo Med Hygrotherm but your looking at close to 75.00 for that one. It is on my wish list however because it will work well with my fogger.