Too much humidity?

[NickStar]

I'm a new Beardie owner, 6 days now actually, and I just upgraded my 10 gallon tank to a 40 gallon breeder Critter Cage. I had been hearing that the humidity gauge should stay between 10% and 30% humidity. Mine is at 40%, and I'm not sure how to lower it 10 - 20%. I've heard a dehumidifier can help, but they're so expensive it's ridiculous, does anyone know if there's another way to lower the humidity effectively?

 

[lauraj1055]

Do you keep a water bowl in the cage, or mist inside the cage?

 

[Kristen623]

I also noticed my temp gage will read at 40% humidity during the night when the lights are off. I don't mist the tank. I have a water bowl for drinking and no other water sources.

 

[lauraj1055]

I also noticed my temp gage will read at 40% humidity during the night when the lights are off. I don't mist the tank. I have a water bowl for drinking and no other water sources.

Some people use waterbowls, however this is not necessary as most dragons don't drink from standing water (however some do) I don't use water bowls in any of mine, and I bathe them 3 x a week, and I put water in the bottom of their greens bowl to keep them from drying out. Maybe try removing the water for a couple days and see if that makes a difference.

 

[Kristen623]

Thanks. I will try that! I've always wondered about the waterbowl. I never see him drink from it. When I prepare his greens, I do mist it lightly before placing the food bowl in his tank so there is a little water in it. How often should I bathe a 4 month old? I've been doing 1-2x a week.

 

[lauraj1055]

2 x a week is good for an adult.. a 4 month old I would do 3 - 4 times a week. Babies dehydrate quicker than adults.

 

[Kristen623]

OK. Thank you for that information. I want to keep my little guy hydrated. I just noticed you're from MA too!!! I'm on the North Shore.

 

[lauraj1055]

OK. Thank you for that information. I want to keep my little guy hydrated. I just noticed you're from MA too!!! I'm on the North Shore.

I live in Western MA, Berkshire County...

 

[NickStar]

No, I don't have a water bowl, I mist them twice a day, and in the morning's they drink the drops of water that rolls off of their head from the squirt bottle. The humidity actually went down to 30% on it's own ^_^ but.. For some reason he's still opening his mouth..

I bought a new ceramic heat lamp today with a 75W ExoTerra Intense Basking Spot. He seems to be opening his mouth a lot - I'm guessing to regulate his temperature.. The temp gauge says it's 100 on the left side of the tank and 80 on the other, humidity at 30%, I'm not sure what's wrong.

He IS going through his first shed right now though, actually almost shed his entire body on his own today, I think the warm bath I gave him last night helped him shed today, but I'm no expert.

But yeah, the humidity went down a bit, no water bowl.. But is the light I'm using okay for a 40 gallon breeder? I figured 75W would be no problem with an intense desert basking light like this, but once again, I'm no expert :/