Terrarium - how to keep high humidity without constant misting?

[victorhooi]

I've setup a new terrarium, and I'm having some issues keeping the humidity high, without overflowing the tank.

The tank is a Exo Terra Terrarium Large Wide, which is 90cm x 45cm x 45cm. (I also have a second smaller one, which is the Exo Terra Terrarium Medium Wide, which is 60cm x 45cm x 45cm).

For misting, I'm using a MistKing Starter System, with two nozzles - one at each of the front corners of the terrarium. Target humidity is set to 75% (with 5% difference, so it starts misting when it falls to 70% RH). The reason for this humidity is to get the sphagnum moss growing quickly. (Optimal humidity for this is apparently around 80%, 23-25 degrees C, and 200-300 PAR).

For lighting, I'm using a HLG LED system - around 135W for the Medium, and 240W for the Large tank. I've dimmed it slightly, and it's around 280 PAR in terms of lighting.

For substrate I'm using the EpiWeb IIS panels (basically black mesh that plants can grow on), so there's a pool of water at the bottom, the Epiweb and then sphagnum moss on top.

I do have a heating coil underneath the Epiweb to heat the water - however, it seems with the LED lights, it keeps it warm enough anyhow (around 25 degrees Celsius), so I have that off at the moment.

The top of the Exo Terra is metal mesh, so I've put a little bit of plastic cling wrap, to try to reduce the evaporation.

I've attached a photo of the terrarium currently.

The misting is working well, to keep the humidity around 70-80%.

However, the issue is, with all the constant misting, the water level keeps rising, and overflowing through the front. Also, I'm going through my misting reservoir super quick.

What do people suggest, to keep the water levels in check, whilst still maintaining 70-80% humidity?

Would completely covering the top with say, acrylic sheet help? Would a little fan inside the tank help? Or what else would help to keep at the target humidity?

[Tropfrog]

Exoterra are good enclosures for low humidity setups. But for high humidity it simply have far too much ventilation. You need to cover a lot more of the mesh to get humidity up.

There is also a challenge with measure relative humidity. Real accurate sensors is just way too expensive for this kind of application. You simply cannot trust the reading.

I use humidity control in my terrarium as well. The way of using it that works best for me is almost completelly sealed top. Just a small hole with a fan. I use 20 seconds of misting to increase humidity to near 100% every other hour. The humidity controller is connected to the fan and set at lowering humidity to 70-90%, different for different seasons.

 

Br

Magnus

Edited August 16, 2021 by Tropfrog

[Sedumzz]

You may want to loook for some misters??? I've seen electronic ones at local Targets, but that's in the U.S.

I'm pretty sure you can find a few cheap ones for like 10-20 dollars on amazon. You'd just put them in a jar of water and it would make fog..

Not sure if that would be what you want, but it would also look cool I guess.

[Wort]

Hi, I hope the OP found a solution, but for anyone else in the same situation here's my tips.
Definitely agree with @Tropfrog Exo Terra Terraria have way too much ventilation for high humidity. A sheet of perspex or glass can be slotted over the existing grille with minimal fuss.
Also agree with @Sedumzz we call them "Foggers" in the UK, and they can be acquired at pet shops selling reptiles. They use water much more slowly than a misting system.
I use a false bottom in my terrarium. I cut a sheet of stainless steel mesh to fit the internal dimensions of the terrarium. This I wrap in a single layer of Jute or Hessian fabric. I cut a hole for a plastic tube in one corner, push the tube through. I put some supports on the floor of the enclosure (suitably sized river pebbles are good, or "Caster Cups," used to protect floors from furniture feet). The grille assembly is then rested on these supports and substrate (Compost mix) added on top. The pipe can be pushed almost to the base of the enclosure, with which a hose can be pushed down below the substrate and used to syphon off excess water.
Hope this helps.
Cheers from Bill.