New to the whole humidor experience....

[TNRonin]

First off, I'm new to the boards, with that said I'm using the gel crystals (I bought some of the crystal tubes on ebay) and I'm now using the tubes with the moist soil crystals I bought at a local nursery.

I was recently given a humidor and before that I was using a tuperware type of device with the tubes. I noticed that the humidity was WAY too high, and occasionally I would have some mold on a stick, but only on the ones I handled (makes you wonder where your hands have been).

Since I got humidor things have stabilized. It wasn't seasoned (as I understand it, and I will have some work to do). With this humidor I got a couple of older sticks that were way dry and they are getting softer, and the really soft sticks are getting firmer.

I would like to continue to use the gel and noticed on another thread the mention of a 50/50 mixture. Am I correct in assuming this is a 50/50 glycerine/distilled mixture? If so where do I get this glycerine? Then there are the beads. I gotta let you know on the front end I'm a cheap bastige and I will cut costs where possible.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.