Humidity And Coins

You can buy silica gel packets they do a good job of absorbing moisture. I don't know how you're storing your albums, the coins in the tubes should be ok.

You may want to check around for a thing called a Hygrometer. This measures humidity. And as to gel packs of any kind, they will do little to nothing for an entire basement. If you keep your coins in an enclosed container and then use the gel packs, should help. However, if you have excessive humidity in your basement, every time you open any container with those coins, humidity rushes into that container and you will be constantly doing something with gel packs. So much depends on where you live, the type of heat for your home, air movement in and out of your home, air leakage from places like windows,doors, framework. In addition to that, there is the newness of your home. For instance a new home with a concrete basement will dessipate moisture from the concrete for years.
I again suggest you acquire a Hygrometer. If your humidity is a steady 30% or higher you should look into a Dehumidifier. Excessive humidity is also not to good on furniture, clothing, woodwork materials in the home and especially the growth of germs, bacteria, fungus, insects, etc. Attempting to dehumidify an entire basement with gel packs is out of the question.
If your humidity ranges stay at approximately 25% or less, don't worry about the coins. My basement is a steady 20% and has been for over 35 years and my coins show no signs of toning, tarnishing, corroding, etc.

Well...I would say that "any" level of humidity is NOT good for coins....short term or long term ! It can "seep" into plastic Mint sealed holders and everything over time. The sets from the '70's & '80's often have "rust/corrosion" spots on them and they've NEVER been opened ! Proving that they AREN'T airtight as people might think. So, removing the "humidity" equasion, in my humble opinion, would be a smart move......
My girlfriend was running a humidifier in my bedroom on several weekends at one point. It took me awhile, embarrasingly enough to admit, to realize that I had some very expensive proof coins (gold & silver) just laying under the bed !! I felt HORRIBLY DUMB !! And remedied the situation...a few years from now, that "damage" may begin to show...I don't know but I was certainly "freaked out" when I realized what I'd done there !! They're safe in a bank box now, of course......and I don't run a humidifier anymore for the ones I do keep at home to "work on".
Just my opinion though.......

humidity = bad

Buy some of those super large ziplock bags for your collection.

Since our first high humidity weekend is underway, I thought a little more detail might help someone in conditions such as I am in Florida. I also welcome suggestions or corrections.

Most of my coins will now go to the safe deposit boxes for the summer. I put rechargeable silica gel packs in these boxes but a check with a cigar hydrometer shows the humidity level to be low. I presume (hope) there is some consistency in the bank's conditions and they do have back up power. The only thing left at home are common coins I'm working on or intend to sell.

Those at home are in zip-lok bags with small gel packs and in small containers or albums within those. Our air conditioning runs all the time (except during hurricanes!). I toss the hydrometer in from time to time to check they are under 50% (ambient humidity in the house is 67% during the summer).

Before taking to the bank, I photograph sets I'm working on because nothing is more frustrating than seeing an interesting coin for sale and wondering if I have one in better condition already.

Most of my significant purchases are fall through winter but if I do buy something in the summer I put it in a 2x2 and move it to the bank as is. In the fall I will transfer those to the appropriate album or longer term storage at home.