Yup. If you heat with wood or are in New Mexico then the use of sponge is crucial. Your ambient climate (house specific) is what rules. If your in AZ and use a humidifier then your ambient RH is far higher than a person in the near arctic using dry wood heat in home. The relative RH in your home (air coming into incubator) is what we all have for variable. Plugs out and circulation wide open in AZ with AC on full tilt will recquire less water than a person in ME with wood heat.