My humidity will not go high enough. Why?

There are a few reasons why you may not be achieving higher humidity levels in your incubator, but there are ways you can help your incubator reach those much needed higher levels.

If the incubator has manual humidity control without a humidity display, you may find this question more useful:

'How do I monitor the humidity in an incubator which does not have a humidity read out/display'?

If the incubator has manual humidity control but does have a humidity readout/display, then the following tips may help you achieve the humidity level you desire.

1. Ensure the incubator is in a warm room with a temperature of between 18°C-22°C.  A cold room will make it so much harder for you achieve the humidity level you want. Cold air will draw moisture out of the incubator. Make sure the room is warm and that the incubator is not exposed to wide temperature changes or a draught. This is essential to having the humidity level you need.
2. If the incubator is not getting to the level you require, you want to double-check that the vent on the incubator is closed. If the vent is open, you are allowing that much-needed moisture in the incubator to escape.
3. Make sure there is water in the troughs. If the instructions suggest to only fill one half or one trough the start of incubation but the humidity is not high enough add some water bit by bit to the other trough.
4. Use humidity blocks or pads. Humidity blocks and pads are a great accessory to use if you are not getting the humidity level you want. Humidity blocks and pads increase the surface area of water in the incubator which in turn will increase the humidity. 'The Larger the surface is of water; the higher the humidity'.

 If the incubator has automatic humidity control.

1. Check the set level. Check the humidity setting is set at the correct level you want. If the humidity is not increase it can be because the humidity setting has not been increasing to the higher level, you want.
2. Ensure the incubator is in a warm room with a temperature of between 18°C-22c. A cold room will make it so much harder for you achieve the humidity level you want. Cold air will draw moisture out of the incubator so ensure the room is warm and the incubator is not exposed to wide room temperature changes or a draught is essential to having the humidity level you need.
3. Make sure the vent on the incubator is closed. If the event is open, you are allowing that much needed moisture in the incubator to escape.
4. If the incubator uses a pump, ensure the tubing is not blocked. Check for air bubbles, splits, or blockages like scale if you use tap water. Also check that the tube is in the water supply or for the Brinsea Advance pump ensure there Is water in the pump. If you have a incubator like the Rcom 20 Max, Rcom 20 Pro, Rcom 50 Max, or Rcom 50 Pro which has a built-in humidity heater ensure there is water in the incubator for it to heat up.
5. Make sure you are using humidity blocks or pads with the incubator if has a humidity pump. The pump will drop water onto the pad which spread out, increasing the surface area of water, and therefore increasing the humidity.
6. For incubators with pumps ensure the pump is working. If the reading is below the set level, then this could indicate an issue. Set the humidity level as high as possible to try and force a pump, look to see if the motor turns or on some incubators like the Rcom 10 Pro + and Rcom King Suro Max 20 you can test the pump by pressing and holding the + for 5 seconds. If the pump is working check the tubing and replace if necessary.

If you are still experiencing issues with getting your humidity high enough in a incubator with automatic humidity control then please contact us here.