Hygrometers, Humidity, Help!

[bnaz]

I currently have my two Phal. orchids in their own humidity trays and sitting within an uncovered 5.5 gallon fish tank. As of now, there are no stones/water on the tank base, just the orchids in their own little pebble trays. I was wondering if you think this is helping with the humidity levels for my plants. I'm likely going to put pebbles on the bottom of the tank, and a thin layer of water as well.

Also, what kind of hygometer do you use? Are the cheaper ones still accurate and effective? I'd really like to get one for around $10 if at all possible. HERE a link to Amazon's listing for hygrometers, if you see the one you use, could you point it out for me? c:

As always, help is so much appreciated!

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't know what your humidity is like, but I don't do anything to up the humidity around my orchids - the potted ones seem good as long as their roots are kept happy - can be quite dry here in summer (days especially - tho this year has been a bit of an exception)
basically, my plants get whatever humidity there happens to be

[Lady_Vamp]

I bought mine at a hardware store for a little less then 10$. It's a digital thermo-hygrometer with max and min in F or C with an uncertainty of measurement of +/- 1 C according to the producer. I also have the outdoor version of this first one (but without max and min if I remember correctly) and the exoterra type hygrometer (not digital) which I don't really use since you have to glue it to a wall (or something like it) and I like something I can move as I need to.

So cheap can still be accurate! I hope this helps.

PS : The exoterra takes a lot more time to show instantaneous changes in the environment (say you have two rooms with orchids) so I'd go for digital at your place

[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by Lady_Vamp

I bought mine at a hardware store for a little less then 10$. It's a digital thermo-hygrometer with max and min in F or C
...
PS : The exoterra takes a lot more time to show instantaneous changes in the environment (say you have two rooms with orchids) so I'd go for digital at your place

Yes, I wouldn't buy any of the analog hygrometers, they are so inaccurate that they are useless.

[Kelo]

I have six digital thermometers and not one of them has the same temps! I think unless you buy expensive equipment you wont get totally accurate readings. As long as you are in the region of where the readings should be you'll be doing grand.