[This message has been edited by phrozendata (edited April 11, 2000).]

I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to read it through the glass in my aquarium tank if the humidity is too high. Do they make a thermometer/hygrometer that sticks on the inside of the aquarium? Where can I find this wonder-meter? How much is it?

1) The Holmes, and other similar units, are set to be most accurate within the human "comfort zone," roughly 40%-55% rH. They are increasingly inaccurate above and below this range, and certainly not accurate at 80%-100%. They're for residential use, not for mycology. (I learned this the hard way--I bought a $38 Van Cort Instruments analog thermohygrometer that would not read above 80%.) Likewise the humidor models, which are set for highest accuracy at around 70% rH at 70? F.

2) These units, digital in particular, will not last long in a high rH environment. They'll get internal condensation and corrode or flake out.

If you really want to get something worth using, you've simply got to spend the $$$. If you don't, you'd be better off just checking your chamber walls for big drops & little drops and saving your $10-$20 for Ball jars.
http://www.fungiperfecti.com/catalog.html lists about what you can expect to pay to get something worth using:

Digital Thermohygrometer, $49.95 (Measures 32-122 F (0-50 C) and 25-95% rH. Temperature accuracy of ? 2? F from 32?-104? F (?1? C from 0-40? C), humidity accuracy of ? 5% rH from 59-104? F). All digitals are not the same--I've checked out other units at around $20-$40...they weren't as accurate as this one is above 80?F. Even this unit required some help--I had to seal the edges of the case and the battery compartment w/ good electrical tape to help keep the wet out.

Polythermal Professional Hygrometer, $119.00. Accuracy of ? 3% rH; it's analog dial. If you're _really_ nutty about rH.

my .02

ind.oOOo.lio

------------------
"I'm psychedelic this time coming rainbow,
Look at the green lights and yall see my brain glow,
five colors; yellow, black, red, green, and purple"
--Dr. Octagonecologyst

If anyone has one of these really good ones would you be able to test some humidor models for accuracy at higher rh and let us know what the best one is.

As far the garden dial, you're right, jonah, no go.

You're talking about 85% rH for casings and 100% rH for cakes, a 15% spread. Which means you have to have at _least_ a +/- 5% guage to make it worth a damn: if it reads 85%, could be 80%, could be 90%. Chances are the garden dial is _maybe_ +/- 15% rH, which means: 85% could be 100%, could be 70%. And it's coil won't go past 80% or so anyway. Blech.

Then again, I'm anal enough to spend $165 on an accurate humidistat that controls my humidity for me, hands-off.

Lots of folks grow by keeping track of the condensation on their terrarium walls and do just fine. But I went the high-tech way ('cause I'm not around much), so I don't know much about that more intimate hands-on approach. Perhaps someone should start a "Measuring Humidity Without A Hygrometer" thread and see if the expert types have some advice.

[img]http://members.aol.com:/jblck001/airguide.jpg
[img]

It says humidity is accurate to +/- 3% but im not sure what range it's in. Looks pretty nice though

I don't know how big it is though, or if it would fit in my 10g aquarium.

Here's the one Im getting:

a Caliber humidor thermometer/ hygrometer.
this is super accurate....

right?

This looks to be EXACTLY the same meter as the one I got from www.fungiperfecti.com, which is listed as +/- 5%rH. The Taylor claims a maximum of +/- 4% rH...so it's got to be one or the other.

The fungiperfecti meter is $49.95; the "Taylor" goes for $46. It's got a nifty bracket; max-min temp, and max-min rH memory.

The weatherplace hygrometer is nice n' accurate (+/- 3%). But it's just a hygrometer, without the memory of the digital. Memory's handy...let's you make sure that things are OK when you're not actually looking.

Having bought one already, I'd say that the "Taylor" (in quotes because it's made in China at the same factory mine was)is the one.

Maybe it is more water resistant though..

------------------
Visit http://www.drooldonkey.org Global Psychedelic Community, Forums & Chat, Teks & Tips.

Hey Hippie--what's the "observe condensation" method for terrarium humidity control? I am dependent upon machines and my kung fu is weak.