Anyone tried Aqua Gems?

[LostAbbott]

Well I am in Seattle, which is a fairly wet and cool climate. I currently have a digital hygrometer and am using the gel thingies. For the size of my humi it looks like 2-4 oz of Shilala beads would do the trick and it would be cool if I can use just those.

Unfortunately his site does not answer questions I have. Do I need to add water to his beads? How long before they need a recharge? Should I have a separate humidification element with them? I would have e-mailed him on his site but I think others might have this question as well.

Reading around here it does sound like 70% is too high and I should try and get it down to 65%. I also like the idea of getting something in there that I can just kind of forget about and not worry if it is working or not.

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by LostAbbott

...it looks like 2-4 oz of Shilala beads would do the trick and it would be cool if I can use just those.

Unfortunately his site does not answer questions I have. Do I need to add water to his beads? How long before they need a recharge? Should I have a separate humidification element with them? I would have e-mailed him on his site but I think others might have this question as well.

I thought that the FAQ on my website answered this -- I will update the FAQ to make sure all the information is there -- you do not add water to HCM beads. They are preset to a desired RH (65%). There are instructions for rasing or lowering the preset RH should the need arise. You raise the RH by putting the beads in a sealed enclosure (with a hygrometer) and a sponge that has been dampened with distilled water. You raise the RH by putting the beads in a refrigerator for a short period of time and then moving the beads quickly to a sealed enclosure (with a hygrometer) while they readjust to the higher temperature. In both cases (raising or lowering RH) repeat as needed until you are at the desired RH.

If you have any questions please feel free to post here or to contact me directly.

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by LostAbbott

Well I am in Seattle, which is a fairly wet and cool climate. I currently have a digital hygrometer and am using the gel thingies. For the size of my humi it looks like 2-4 oz of Shilala beads would do the trick and it would be cool if I can use just those.

Unfortunately his site does not answer questions I have. Do I need to add water to his beads? How long before they need a recharge? Should I have a separate humidification element with them? I would have e-mailed him on his site but I think others might have this question as well.

Reading around here it does sound like 70% is too high and I should try and get it down to 65%. I also like the idea of getting something in there that I can just kind of forget about and not worry if it is working or not.

The FAQ answers all of those questions... Read it, it will help answer any question you might have.

As for the amount of beads, don't guess how much you need, use the tool on the website. I have an 8oz bag in mine, while the tool recommended 3.5oz. My new humidor I will be ordering 2oz while the tool suggests 1oz. It never hurts to go extra, infact I think it is recommended.

GL!