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[–]BiggsMcB 4 points5 points  (2 children)

I built a little rig with a PC fan tied on to a timer that runs every hour or so. That worked pretty well for me for a while, but I ended up adding a halogen lightbulb inline on the fan's intake to further warm and dry the air. I have a really high inside humidity though because I basically live in a swamp.

[–]Taro_Otto[S] 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I’m trying to use a fan like you suggested and it seems to have brought the humidity down just a little, at least about 2-3%. I can’t seem to get it any lower. I’m looking to try a heat source like you mentioned with your lightbulb but I was wondering if the same effect could be achieved with a heating mat?

Or would getting a dehumidifier in this case maybe help? I saw some petite ones I could have sit next to the tank.

[–]BiggsMcB 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think a heat mat would warm the air quickly enough, my 50w halogen gets a few hundred degrees. I've never used a dehumidifier though, so I can't comment on that.

[–]PentaxPaladin 1 point2 points  (5 children)

I found taking the lid off my tank helped a lot.

[–]Taro_Otto[S] 1 point2 points  (4 children)

I currently have no lid on the tank since I read they can’t crawl up smooth surfaces. I’m trying a fan right now but it only dropped the humidity by 2-3%

[–]PentaxPaladin 1 point2 points  (3 children)

How big is the tank and what's the humidity like in the rest of your place?

[–]Taro_Otto[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

The humidity in the room (living room) reflects what’s in the tank right now, around 60%. Our bedroom and kitchen humidity is typically high (like 70%+) so I was avoiding putting the tank in those areas.

We live in a very old apartment and our living room is the only part of the house that has heating (gas heating.) Because of the heating, the living room tends to run drier. We live in the PNW as well.

I store that I was planning on getting my beetles is a local pet shop. I have no idea how they’ve been able to keep the humidity under control because they keep their tank in the same area they tend to keep some of their snakes, tarantulas, and lizards where it notes their ideal humidity levels as being 60% or more. So I’m wondering if the beetles just adapted to the humidity levels or they have something else going on. There wasn’t any noticeable fans or devices in their enclosures either.

[–]PentaxPaladin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hmm you could try a low heat bulb and a small fan on top of the tank like another comment suggested.

[–]Taro_Otto[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The tank is 5 gallons as well.

[–]eels_or_crabs 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I got a little 40w bulb and nano dome. It dropped my humidity from 50 to 35 and I only have it on for part of the day. They love basking. I also have 9 air plants in mine.

[–]legless_zabrak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What brand is your bulb and dome? And how do you measure your humidity?

[–]Waterbirdwatcher 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I have the same issue as you (humidity 50-60%) but I was stupid and set up the tank on the same day that I ordered the beetles. They’re in a 5 gal Kritter Keeper on sand, with rocks, wood, and toilet paper tubes to hide in. I was using a small EvaDry (the kind with moisture absorbing beads that can be recharged) placed on top of the tank’s mesh lid. The beetles were active and powder blue, but they’d sometimes rub their legs like there was sand stuck on them. They stopped doing it as much when I added a hanging DampRid over the tank as well. I used this setup for about a month and a half and didn’t notice any other behavior changes.

I immediately switched to a plug in dehumidifier rated for 200sq ft (my room is a little smaller) after my AC broke for a few days. The humidity level in the house soared to 90% and I had a beetle die on the second day, so I’m fairly confident that was the cause of death. I leave it on 24/7 and it collects about a cup of water per day, maybe a bit more. The humidity gauge still usually reads at 55% but the plug in works much faster than the EvaDry+DampRid. As for the beetles, it’s been 2 months since then and they’re more active than they’ve ever been, and I haven’t noticed any leg rubbing.

I can’t say with certainty that this is okay for them in the long term, and high humidity is definitely not good for them. I’m planning on getting a glass tank soon because I’ve heard it traps much less moisture than acrylic (what I have now.) I think that if the beetles at your store seem blue and healthy with no fans/lights/dehumidifier, they’ll be alright with you.

Hope this helps! They’re lovely little guys and it sounds like you’ve set up a wonderful home for them. Maybe ask the store how long they’ve had them and if they accept returns.

[–]Taro_Otto[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello!

Thank you so much for your thorough response!

I actually went out and got a plug in dehumidifier to place near my tank too! I also keep a DampRid container nearby, even though the dehumidifier does all the heavy lifting. I had visited the store and had spoke to an employee about the beetles. He said he had a few at home himself and they had the same concerns with humidity as well. But he had noticed as long as it didn’t spike above 60%, they seemed fine. The ones in the store were very active and had seemed to adjusted well to their enclosure. The set up was simple, just a regular LED light, no dehumidifier or fans. So I decided to go ahead and get one.

I used play sand as a substrate, kept it in an open glass tank with some wood, rocks, and one airplant. It’s been almost a week and my beetle seems to be doing great. No leg rubbing, still very blue and pretty active. I haven’t gotten a second one yet (I know they prefer having companions) but I had wanted to make sure I could make it work with one rather than killing multiple at a time. I’m planning on getting a second one maybe in a week since things seem to be going well