High Humidity

[Picklechips]

Struggling to lower the humidity in this enclosure. It seems to hover around 85-87% without ever being misted or moistened, literally just used the substrate mix out of the bag.
Im pretty new to the hobby and this is my first T so I’m just very wary of causing any harm to this juvenile.
I believe it’s currently in premolt so it’s barricaded away into the cork hide.

Any suggestion on how to control this that is better than cracking the door open time to time would be very much appreciated.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Humidity gauges are wildly inaccurate, ditch it and just monitor how wet the soil is. If it truly was high, proper ventilation would help lower it, which you already have. Whats the species? Depending on the species, you might not even have to worry about moisture in the sub as long as it has a water dish.

Edit: I see its a t albo, I THINK those can get by with just a water dish and overflowing it some once a week, but tbh I have never kept them, so I'd wait for someone else.

 

[Finikan]

Dont go humidity hunting. It can be deadly for your tarantula.

 

[Wolfram1]

all looks well, stop monitoring the humidity

a good way to balance moisture is to never let things (the dirt) dry out 100% but at the same time to always leave at least one corner dry when rehydrating the soil and adding water slowly so you dont overdo it by accident.
also if there is condensation inside the enclosure in normal room temperature you added too much water

 

[viper69]

Stop worrying about humidity- live is better for both of you. Don't mist etc

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Struggling to lower the humidity in this enclosure. It seems to hover around 85-87% without ever being misted or moistened, literally just used the substrate mix out of the bag.
Im pretty new to the hobby and this is my first T so I’m just very wary of causing any harm to this juvenile.
I believe it’s currently in premolt so it’s barricaded away into the cork hide.

Any suggestion on how to control this that is better than cracking the door open time to time would be very much appreciated.

For starters what size is your T? What tarantula do you actually have?

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Stop measuring humidity (any humidity ranges on care sheets are random nonsense anyway).

Just overflow the water dish to moisten a corner and repeat when it dries out.

 

[Dorifto]

Do not chase any specific numbers, hygrometers are a helpful tool to keep an aproximate idea about conditions inside, not for achieving any specific number. Our enclosures and nature differ in a lot of things, but the biggest one, is ventilation. You will never achieve same ventilation levels, so trying to achieve same humidity levels inside it's a nonsense, simply keep them close.

Regarding to your readings, perfectly normal. Usually the substrates right out of the bags are moist. So that moisture it's the one that it's providing humidity to the air. Eventually it will decrease, don't worry.

I'd start worrying only if I'm having condensation on the walls, that means that it's too moist there and that the air it's reaching saturation point.

 

[Smotzer]

Disregard humidity gauges and your keeping will be much simpler!

 

[Picklechips]

For starters what size is your T? What tarantula do you actually have?

Only a juvenile, this was taken on Sunday the day I brought it back but it’s barricaded itself in. I believe it’s in premolt currently

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Only a juvenile, this was taken on Sunday the day I brought it back but it’s barricaded itself in. I believe it’s in premolt currently

That looks identical to my Honduran Tliltocatl albopilosus, (although mine is an adult female now at 5 inches dls). At that size it will want to be in it's burrow more often than being out and about.

I'd scrap that enclosure and get something cheap like a medium size Kritter Keeper 5x8x6. I just measured my medium one that my 3 inch A. geniculata is in.

You'll also want to use contact paper to block off some of the air vents to help keep moisture in longer. Not too much that it gets stagnant in the enclosure

You'll want 3 to 4 inches of substrate. Start a burrow hole and put a corkbark piece over it. Your T. albo will dig out the rest of the burrow.

I have found that my New World terrestrial T's like a small flat piece of corkbark on the substrate to stand on. I also use fake moss rocks, (light as a feather) that they like even more. If you're interested in the moss rocks I'll send you a link in pm. When I received them I rinse them thoroughly then pat dry. Been using them for years with no issues. The trick to using them since they weigh nothing is digging out same size hole in sub then fitting them in where half of it or close is buried.

Substrate just get Eco Earth or Reptisoil. Make sure when you squeeze it with your hand no water drips out. This is if you use coco fiber bricks.

Put a water dish in, like a cap from 1 gallon of milk or orange juice. That's it, that's all you need for now.

Do alot of research on substrate types and enclosures. In the U K. you have alot more options on enclosures than us in the U.S.

Anyways best of luck, make sure you read on handling and the risk.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

Don't worry about exact numbers for humidity, what you want is good ventilation to prevent stagnant air and access to fresh water. For this species, providing a water dish and overfilling it once a week or so to moisten the substrate on one side of the enclosure is perfectly adequate.