Kitty Litter Update

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axegod75

Joined Jan 2005

2K Posts | 0+

So Cal

Discussion Starter
• Jul 28, 2005

• #1

For anyone interested in using this for humidity regulation here's what I did:

As CastleCrest mentioned in a other thread, you have to "train" the beads (or crystals). I did this by putting 1 pound of them into an old humidor with a Cigar Oasis set for 65%. Every few days I would take out the Oasis and check to see if the litter would hold at 65. It took about 14 days to maintain that percentage. So I guess it works. But since you need to work with them, I wouldn't recommend using them as an initial humidification method. I picked up some dog rockets at a local gas station and I've put them in with the litter to test long term usage.

 

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CastleCrest

Joined Aug 2004

2K Posts | 1+

• Jul 28, 2005

• #2

Keep us posted on how it works?

I wonder if you put a bowl/cup of water in there overnight
will they absorb enough water to push you up over 65%????

 

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axegod75

Joined Jan 2005

2K Posts | 0+

So Cal

Discussion Starter
• Jul 28, 2005

• #3

Will do CC. I also have another pound in "training" so when they're ready I'll give your idea a try.

 

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CastleCrest

Joined Aug 2004

2K Posts | 1+

• Jul 28, 2005

• #4

Is this the Kitty litter you used?

http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...D=1122594649258

 

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axegod75

Joined Jan 2005

2K Posts | 0+

So Cal

Discussion Starter
• Jul 28, 2005

• #5

That link isn't working, but it's probably the one I used since mine's from Petsmart:

Exquisicat Pearl Fresh

 

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CastleCrest

Joined Aug 2004

2K Posts | 1+

• Jul 28, 2005

• #6

axegod75 said:

That link isn't working, but it's probably the one I used since mine's from Petsmart:

Exquisicat Pearl Fresh

Click to expand...

That is it!
Thanks just wondering as another friend of mine recommended
I try it and well I'm lazy

 

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axegod75

Joined Jan 2005

2K Posts | 0+

So Cal

Discussion Starter
• Apr 2, 2006

• #7

It's been 8 months since I conditioned and placed the "pearls" in my coolidor. First thing I did when I arrived home from the airport Friday was check on their status:

1. The pearls have taken on a slight yellow tinge and smell like tobacco which put a smile on my face.

2. The Little Havana "perfecto" hygrometer had a reading of 64º F and 63% RH.

3. According to the min/max button on the perfecto the temp fluctuated between 60-68º F and only between 61-66% RH.

The door was opened every couple of weeks by whichever family member came over to check on my place.

...So I guess they work!

Oh, and I took out the doggie sticks when I was back here for Thanksgiving and replaced them with the good stuff 8)

 

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Capt

Joined Jul 2005

3K Posts | 0+

MI

• Apr 2, 2006

• #8

Can I have the dog rockets?!?!?! Please! Please! :wink:

 

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soupwell

Joined Feb 2006

237 Posts | 0+

Norman, OK

• Apr 2, 2006

• #9

I bought some of this exquisicat stuff the other day, and tried to shortcut the "Training Period". I don't have an Oasis, I don't have the real beads, the only thing I do have is my florist foam with 50/50 PG/H2O. This holds my little 50ct pretty rock solid at 67%, but I'm looking for (cheap!) larger capacity humidification options for when I upgrade to the big boy in a couple of months. I don't think the tiny florist foam humidifier has got the oomph needed to train any significant quantity of beads.

So, I tried to shortcut: I just poured distilled water on the beads until they quit absorbing, then added a few more to soak up any remaining moisture. I placed in a tupperware with my digital hygrometer, and the reading was too high. I've let them air out some, and now they're back in there, down to 75%. I think with a little more work, I can get them to 65% where I want them.

My question is, do the "real" heartfelt beads behave better than this? Are they locked in at 65% to the point where they won't overhumidify, even when saturated? Or would the heartfelt beads also have given me 87% readings if I tried to use them this way?

Thanks!

 

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Steppinup

Joined Feb 2006

37 Posts | 0+

• Apr 3, 2006

• #10

Don't want to hijack a thread but I'm confused.

Why use beads or cat litter? Are the crystals and things they sell online at cigar.com and other cigar sites not any good?

Seems like a lot of trouble "training" beads when you can spend 10 bucks on a jar of crystals.

Is this because you like your humi at 65 and the store bought humidification devices keep things at 70?

 

phisherman

Joined Oct 2005

2K Posts | 1+

Lost in translation

• Apr 3, 2006

• #11

The cat litter is about 1/4 of the price. They work pretty well if you follw the rules. See this link for a more in depth explaniation.

http://www.cigarwise.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10823

 

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FreedomGuns

Joined Oct 2003

746 Posts | 0+

• Apr 3, 2006

• #12

Steppinup said:

Why use beads or cat litter?

Click to expand...

I can't speak for others, but I just can't stop myself from looking for a better or cheaper or different mouse trap. I use florists foam, kitty litter and Humi-Care Cigar Gel, as well as a shot glass if I am desperate in very dry times.

axegod75 said:

The pearls have taken on a slight yellow tinge

Click to expand...

My "crystals" developed a yellow tinge also.

 

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soupwell

Joined Feb 2006

237 Posts | 0+

Norman, OK

• Apr 3, 2006

• #13

Hey phish- that link requires a login.

 

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Barcochris

Joined Feb 2006

2K Posts | 3+

Kelvin's House

• Apr 3, 2006

• #14

Soup PM sent

 

phisherman

Joined Oct 2005

2K Posts | 1+

Lost in translation

• Apr 3, 2006

• #15

soupwell said:

Hey phish- that link requires a login.

Click to expand...

It just might. Then again you might want to join. :wink:

 

Bikeman

Joined Oct 2005

3K Posts | 14+

Central Canada, eh?

• Apr 3, 2006

• #16

I have been using the K crystals in my 2 humis, and three Tupperdoors, and all 5 are sitting very pretty at about 62 - 65%. I did not bother to train the beads, but just keep a pretty close eye on them. If things drop too far, I throw in a water pillow for a couple of days, and it goes right back up with no problems.

There you go, and another success story, and saved some money too. Maybe someday I will invest in the Heartfelt beads, but the shipping they want to Canada just doesn't make it worth while.