As anyone who has ever kept a leopard gecko before can tell you, these reptiles require humidity levels of 30% to 40% to survive and thrive. But what happens when humidity levels rise above this threshold? How can you bring them down?
To lower humidity in a leopard geckos tank, open the door to increase ventilation. This is the most common solution to this problem. Another thing you can do is install a screen at the top of the tank.
5 Ways to lower humidity in a leopard gecko tank
1. Improve ventilation
One of the major causes of humidity is a buildup of condensation and heat. Improving airflow in the tank is integral to lowering its humidity.
To do this, you can leave the door of the tank open or install a screen on top. Alternatively, you could add a USB fan to the tank. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which ventilation suits you and your leopard gecko.
2. Use a smaller water bowl
If your leopard gecko isn’t drinking all the water in its dish, the water may be evaporating and increasing the humidity. So if you want to reduce the humidity levels in your pet’s tank, a smaller water dish is one of the best places to start.
Not only will it reduce the amount of water available for evaporation, it will also reduce the surface area across which evaporation can take place.
You need to remember that using a smaller water bowl means you will have to fill it with water more often to keep your gecko hydrated.
3. Lower the humidity in your house
The high humidity in your leopard gecko’s tank may be due to the high humidity levels in the room it is located. So you have to lower the latter for the former to also reduce.
Fortunately, you can easily do this in several ways. For one, you can open the room’s windows more frequently. This will let in fresh air from the outside and lower the humidity.
Alternatively, you could install an HVAC system or ceiling fan to improve air circulation. If you want to take things a step further, you can get a dehumidifier and place it near your gecko’s tank.
While these devices are usually costly, they are pretty effective. Some can remove up to 10 ounces of water from the atmosphere daily.
So even if you’re not financially ready to get a standard size dehumidifier, try getting a mini one. They are still effective yet cost much less. Moreover, you can easily place them inside your gecko tank.
You need to keep a few things in mind when using a dehumidifier. For one, you need to monitor the tank’s humidity regularly – it can easily drop below 30%.
Secondly, always ensure that you provide a humid hide that your leopard gecko can go to when the need arises.
4. Switch out any plants in the tank for fake ones
While live plants make your leopard gecko’s habitat look more natural and comfortable for them, they also increase the humidity levels in the tank.
You should switch these plants out for faux ones when things get too humid.
5. Switch out the substrate
One thing you need to know about tank substrates is that some hold more moisture than others. For instance, organic mulch and soil usually hold more moisture than modern substrates like reptile carpets and tile substrates.
The former can make your leopard gecko’s tank more humid. To combat this, you should opt for modern substrates where possible. You can use silica packets or rice socks if you can’t afford this.
Related: How often you should clean your leopard geckos tank
How can you tell that the tank is too humid?
The first sign that your leopard gecko’s tank is too humid is a hygrometer reading above 40%.
That’s why it’s important to buy a high-quality hygrometer. Don’t worry if you can’t afford a hygrometer right now – there are other ways you can tell that your gecko’s tank is humid.
One major sign of this is steam or fog in the tank. Another common sign is water droplets rolling down the tank’s inner walls.
Another thing that happens when the tank’s humidity is too high is fungal growth. This is because fungi like black mold thrive best in super humid environments.
Ultimately, such fungi can make your leopard gecko sick and lethargic. Beyond that, the high humidity levels can make your gecko develop respiratory issues like pneumonia.
Related: The ideal tank temperature for a leopard gecko
How can you tell that the humidity levels are too low?
The first sign that tank humidity levels are too low for your leopard gecko is a hygrometer reading that is below 20%.
Other signs include stunted growth, dehydration, and shedding problems. Shedding problems are particularly common among leopard geckos that are growing rapidly. After all, regular proper shedding requires high levels of humidity.
So if you notice that your leopard gecko’s skin is dry and has some patches that have refused to shed, you should check the tank’s humidity levels.
This condition is usually called Dysecdysis and results from a failed shedding process. If nothing is done about it, this condition can restrict blood flow to your leopard gecko’s tail and arms. It can also lead to poor vision.
How can you raise the humidity in the tank?
Generally, you can raise the humidity levels of your gecko tank by reducing ventilation and adding more water to it.
For instance, you can cover a big part of the tank screen and even cover other openings. This will trap air inside the tank and keep the moisture in it from escaping.
Another thing that you can do is use a bigger water bowl in the tank – this will provide more water for evaporation. If this fails, you can add live plants to the tank or use moisture-rich substrates.
If you choose to use a soil substrate, ensure that you properly maintain it to maximize humidity. Ensure that the soil is deep – around 3 inches deep.
Secondly, add a little water to the soil whenever you notice that it’s drying out – ensure that it doesn’t get mushy, though.
Finally, mix up the soil every week to ensure that all the soil is evenly moist.
Should you mist your leopard gecko?
Misting your leopard gecko around twice a week is advisable. All you have to do is spray your gecko’s body with some water.
When your reptile moves to hotter parts of the tank afterward, this water evaporates and increases the humidity levels. Ultimately, this is a great thing to do around the time your gecko usually sheds.
Final thoughts
When it comes down to it, maintaining the right humidity levels in your reptile’s tank is integral to their health and comfort.
Always ensure you have a working hygrometer and that you monitor its measurements. If you notice serious deviations from the ideal, don’t hesitate to swoop into action!
