Suggestions for raising humidity please.

[CorgiNole]

About 10 days ago, I moved the girls (Goldie & Speedie) into a 20 gallon long tank. They have a slate substrate, temp on floor inside the warm/dry hide ranges 87-92 degrees. At 4 inches about 88 on the warm side and 73 on the cool side. UTH is on a zoo med thermostat (not my favorite tool but I did finally get it set - a little guesswork as it has a warmer/cooler dial not a digital temp). I've replaced their red lightbulbs for heat with a ceramic heat bulb.

Their damp hide is on the warm side and I have the probe for the humidity sitting behind the hide. Our house is dry, and the highest I've measured the humidity in the tank is about 35%. The damp hide has a moss substrate that is keep damp and there is water condensed on the top of the hide, so I know the humidity in there is higher.

So - any suggestions for raising the overall tank humidity would be great. I'd eventually like to upgrade them to an Exo Terra - at which point I'd like to add a waterfall (just because I like the look) but the floor space is a bit limited in their current setup.

Cheers, K

 

[Ignitius]

Actually I think 35% is a great level to keep them at! They don't need much and the moss hide is perfect for them. However housing 2 in a 20 gallon long might be cramped for them.

 

[CorgiNole]

They just moved up from an 18 x 18 - which they shared for over a year (bad information given to a new gecko owner that it was an appropriate size). Long term plan is the large (36 x 18 x 12) Exo-terra, but that is not in my budget at the moment.

K

 

[acpart]

I find that 2 in a 20 gallon long is fine. I keep 3 in a 20 gallon long with an extra 12"x12" heated second level. To reiterate: they need low humidity and are fine as long as they have a humid hide. A waterfall is not a good idea because it will raise the humidity, drown the crickets and possibly become a poop receptical.

Aliza

 

[CorgiNole]

So - to quote the care sheet:

Humidity
Maintain leopard geckos at humidity between 40-50%. The moist humid hide will have higher humidity. The moist humid hide is beneficial for hydration as well as for shedding. Locate the moist hide and one of the dry hides on the warm end. One (or two) large water bowls will help increase the humidity.

Since the house heater is kicking on more often as temperatures are dropping again in NC, the last few times I've walked by the tank, the humidity is in the 20-25% range again. I will try covering more of the screen to try to reduce humidity loss. 35% was the highest I have seen.

Cheers, K

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

So - to quote the care sheet:

Humidity
Maintain leopard geckos at humidity between 40-50%. The moist humid hide will have higher humidity. The moist humid hide is beneficial for hydration as well as for shedding. Locate the moist hide and one of the dry hides on the warm end. One (or two) large water bowls will help increase the humidity.

Since the house heater is kicking on more often as temperatures are dropping again in NC, the last few times I've walked by the tank, the humidity is in the 20-25% range again. I will try covering more of the screen to try to reduce humidity loss. 35% was the highest I have seen.

Cheers, K

Hi K ~

As with everything, folks have success keeping leos in more ways than one. It is impossible to cover ALL bases in a single care sheet. My goal is to recommend methods that work to give leo newbies good success with their often first reptile......a leopard gecko. Many leo newbies have scarcely done any research.

Our homes are usually thermostatically controlled. Just note that humidity varies greatly depending upon whether it is night or day and with the ambient temperatures. For me 40-50% is a ballpark number for leos. It is good for leo habitats not to be too dry, yet also for the leo not to be spending excessive time in the humid hide.

Air conditioned homes and other locations have more issues with low humidity. I live on the North Oregon Coast. We have lots of "heavy mist". ;-)

 

[CorgiNole]

Thanks for your input. Given Goldie's recent history of really poor shedding - the last 5 cycles have involved serious stuck shed on her entire head, I'm trying to cover all bases. Humidity bottomed out at 19 yesterday. Last night I placed a damp towel on half of the screen over their tank and there was a reading of 40 this morning - so we will keep on trying that for the next few weeks.

We are in NC - so once summer comes around, the humidity in the house creeps upwards so it is easier to maintain. And if Goldie will cooperate and can remove the shed from her face without assistance (gecko saunas) for a few cycles, then I can relax a little too. Overall she is looking so much better.

Cheers, K

 

[Conched]

Any chance you could describe the moist hide you have provided Goldie ?

I also live in NC and while the humidity is on the lower side, you can still provide a moist hide that will eliminate any shedding problems.

 

[CorgiNole]

The moist hide is a food storage box filled with moss. At last check humidity in there was 67% and there is generally condensation inside the lid. It is located over the UTH. It is a favored hide for both girls.

Cheers, K

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Good to hear that Goldie is doing better.

Are you providing vitamin A acetate in any way? Check out mod Hilde's post (#22 after the Leo Care Sheet) for the benefits of A, etc.

The dry diet I feed my crickets is my gecko's primary vitamin A source.

 

[CorgiNole]

Have not focused on A, but looking at that, I'll work on adding that to their diet as well.

Cheers, K

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Have not focused on A, but looking at that, I'll work on adding that to their diet as well.

Cheers, K

I use mainly an All Purpose Poultry Feed for my crickets' dry diet. A acetate is in it. Very sparingly do I dust with Zoo Med's Reptivite. Just about 2x per week I lightly dust with Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3.

Another good choice for the dry cricket diet is Zoo Med's Natural Bearded Dragon Food Adult Formula.