A gecko might be a perfect choice if you’re getting your first pet.
This cute little animal is easy to maintain, doesn’t require regular cleaning, and can stay in the same enclosure for its whole life.
But providing this animal with the right conditions is essential to keep it healthy.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to lower the humidity in a gecko tank to keep it in perfect shape. We’ll also discuss increasing humidity levels if the tank is too dry.
So, read to learn more about this topic.
What Should the Humidity Be in a Gecko Tank?
Most reptiles require a high level of humidity to survive.
But there are different gecko types and some of which don’t survive in high humidity levels.
Green-eyed geckos, gargoyle geckos, and crested geckos should be kept in an enclosure where the humidity levels are between 50% and 80%.
House gecko prefers humidity levels to be between 60% and 70%, and the African fat-tailed gecko thrives when the humidity levels are more than 50%.
However, the leopard gecko is the most common type of gecko that can be kept as a pet, and these cute little animals prefer humidity levels between 30% and 40%.
This gecko inhabits desert-like environments and doesn’t tolerate high levels of humidity. So, too humid conditions can be harmful to this little pet.
This is why this animal should be kept in a well-ventilated enclosure with a screen top that allows air to pass through.
Yet. There should be a soaking spot and a private cave with extra humidity to help with skin shedding.
This is better than increasing the humidity levels in the whole enclosure, as this can make your gecko sick.
It’s pretty normal for the humidity level to increase for short periods. However, your pet will become sick if the humidity levels are constantly above 50%.
Too much humidity in the gecko tank will lead to breathing problems and skin infections. It also leads to the growth of bacteria and fungi that can harm your pet gecko in the long run.
If the humidity level is too low, your gecko will suffer from problems while it’s shedding its skin.
How to Monitor Humidity Levels in a Gecko Tank
The only accurate way to measure the humidity levels in a gecko tank is to use a digital hygrometer. Most devices can also measure the temperature to keep the gecko comfortable and healthy.
How to Lower the Humidity in a Gecko Tank
The humidity level can increase in your gecko’s enclosure if it’s not well-ventilated or you’re keeping too many animals in a small enclosure. Nevertheless, there are some tips to follow to help decrease the humidity level in the gecko tank.
1 – Increase Ventilation
This is the best and fastest way to reduce the high humidity levels in a gecko tank.
You can replace the top glass cover of the enclosure with a mesh one to provide better ventilation. A mesh top is the best choice for a gecko tank because it allows fresh air to pass through, and your gecko will be safe.
If you can’t replace the solid enclosure top with a mesh one, you can use an adjustable fan to help circulate the air inside the tank.
Having an adjustable head guarantees that you’ll be able to direct the airflow where it’s needed.
2 – Change the Enclosure’s Setup
Choosing the right enclosure, accessories, and setup is essential for your gecko’s health. So, the tank might be too humid because you’ve picked the wrong substrate.
Some substrates are more suitable for absorbing moisture from tanks, and you should stick to those when assembling the enclosure.
Reptile carpet, paper towels, tile flooring, and shelf liner will help maintain healthy humidity levels.
You should also keep the water bowl on the cool side of the enclosure. When you keep the water bowl in a warm corner, the water will evaporate fast, increasing the humidity level.
Live plants will also increase the humidity level in your gecko tank, so you might want to remove them.
3 – Reduce Humidity in the Room
You can install a small dehumidifier inside the enclosure. This mini device will efficiently decrease the humidity levels.
The gecko tank might be too humid because you’re keeping it in a damp room.
If you keep the enclosure in a garage or basement, this might happen.
So, you should keep the enclosure in a well-ventilated room and open the windows occasionally to let the fresh air in.
If you can’t move the enclosure to a different room, you’ll have to use a dehumidifier to make the room a little bit drier.
You can also use a fan and set it at a low speed to circulate the air inside the room.
4 – Use Rice-Filled Bags
Using cloth rice-filled bags or rice-filled socks will help absorb the extra humidity and moisture from an enclosure.
Using one sock, you can decrease the humidity level by 5% to 10%, so it’s a cheap and potent solution if you don’t want to invest in an extra device.
You can also use silica sachets, but make sure that your gecko has no access to them.
5 – Use a Heat Emitter
A heat emitter will decrease humidity but will also increase the temperature inside the enclosure. Several models are on the market, and they’re safe for your pet gecko.
How to Increase the Humidity in a Gecko Tank
In winter, the air becomes drier and less humid, which can be too harmful to your pet gecko. Moreover, when it’s time to shed its skin, this little animal needs some extra humidity to keep its body moistened.
Here are some methods to help increase the humidity levels inside the gecko tank.
Spray the Enclosure
Spraying the bottom of the enclosure with some water will do the trick.
It’s essential to keep a soaking spot inside the enclosure, so your gecko can hydrate its body. If the water has run dry, you need to add more.
If you live in a dry climate, you might want to install an automatic sprayer.
Use a Water Bowl on the Warmer End
Installing a water bowl and keeping it on the warmer end of the enclosure will help increase the humidity levels. It will also guarantee an extra drinking water supply for your gecko.
This bowl should be typically placed near the warm relaxation or basking spot. However, you need to fill it regularly to keep the enclosure humid and comfortable.
Install Water Features
Expanding the enclosure by adding a moving water feature will increase the humidity levels.
Adding a waterfall on the cool side of a tall enclosure will be an excellent addition. This will increase the actual water splashes inside the tank.
Installing the waterfall on the warm side will lead to more evaporation, which also increases humidity levels.
Use a Humidifier
Installing a small humidifier will make the tank more humid without actually increasing water splashes. A humidifier is usually set up outside the tank with a hose that goes inside.
Final Thoughts
The adequate humidity levels for geckos differ between various types.
The leopard gecko is the most common type of pet gecko, and this animal thrives in desert-like habitats, so it doesn’t require extremely high levels of humidity.
Yet, there are several potent ways to increase and decrease humidity levels in a gecko tank. This will make the enclosure healthier and your gecko happier.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard. I also like photographing wild birds, especially birds of prey.