Hygrometer

[Foxhill]

Since I upped the temperature in my 2 small tanks the hygrometer is struggling to get up to the 75% even though im providing plenty of moisture like lots. there brand new,   what do you recomend as a good one, do you use the digital ones?      I may be over thinking this one

 

[ausar318]

I use a dial rather than a digital. The main reason is that I’m too cheap to buy a digital one, but honestly, a hygrometer is a hygrometer. I use them not as a statement of fact, but rather a point of reference. 

The important thing to remember is that hunidity in the tank, whether it be a plastic one or a glass aquarium, will have a gradient effect.  The humidity will be higher the closer to the substrate/water source. 

Heres an example. For my orchid mantids, I keep their aquarium at about 65-70, based on the hygrometer. Orchids require much more humidity, around 85-90, but mine have all done fine with molting and thriving. The humidity is actually around 85, but the hygrometer is at the top of the aquarium, so it registers the humidity to be much lower than it actuall is. I tried to get it to register a steady 85, and I basically poured a gallon of water in there, and I’m pretty sure that’s too much ?

So rather than trying to buy a new one, I would try to find out how inaccurate your hygrometer is, and go from there. It gets easier once you get the hang of it

 

[Aristalochia]

You wont get a hygrometer that is accurate above 80ish percent unless you spend a lot. The cheap guage style are my preference  but digital type will be fine too. If your substrate is moist and your lid allows for some ventilation odds are good that you humidity is fine already. Personally I've had more trouble from too much humidity than too little. 

 

[Synapze]

I use very inexpensive meters with no problems. They aren't 100% accurate, but close enough. If you have a mantis that can't survive a 5% humidity variance, you'll probably need to invest in a more accurate and expensive meter.

I bought a batch of 5 for about $10 and they work just fine.

 

[PowerHobo]

@Synapze Where in the world did you find a lot of 5 for that cheap? ? I've had my eye on a 5-pack of digitals for about twice that amount, but I've been hesitant to pull the trigger.

 

[Synapze]

@PowerHobo eBay. I'm currently bidding on some more, but you can find these all over eBay. Most are from China, but they arrive a lot faster than you'd think. Product isn't perfect, but it gets the job done. There are also many "Buy it now" listings if you don't like auctions. There are also round varieties which work great installed by cutting a hole into the enclosure. They just snap in place. Some have small probes as well.

 

[Foxhill]

Thanks for all your advice, Ive cleaned out my tanks and re did them both and I think that Ive sussed it out. Ive put the hygrometers right in the middle of the tanks rather than on the tank walls and ive added a small container in each filled with water with air holes drilled to provide a constant water vapour release along with the misting. As you said Ive realised that the hygrometers are just a guide rather than absolute accuracy but thanks a lot for your comments on that one!