Leave it in for about 24 hours, and check to see if your hygrometer is accurate, it might just be that it's not calibrated correctly. And you might just want to stick with beads, the factory pucks and gels that are made for humidifying cigars, it's a bit dodgy to use stuff that isn't made for humidifying cigars as a humidifier.
Might want to go ahead and invest in a digital hydrometer, u can pick one up usually for about $15. You will love the beads, you will probably through that other puck u had away.
Yes, it does matter if your hygrometer is calibrated correctly, even though your beads may be maintaining the correct humidity, some extra will sneak in from the surrounding atmosphere. Or the air will suck out some moisture (this happens to me, I live in a relatively dry area.).
Beads are the easiest they last forever so they are a good solid investment. You just spritz them with a little distilled water and they are good to go for a while. A hygrometer is a must to be able to tell if your cigars are at the right rh. The foam pucks are pretty much worthless i usually just take the foam out and throw some beads in its place and use that in my travel humidor. The beads are the way to go and definitely salt test your hygrometer so that is it reading properly. Also to check your seal you can do the dollar bill test or put a flash light in it and close it and turn out the lights i personally prefer the dollar test. For that just put a dollar half in half out and close than try to pull it should have good resistance on it and barely be able to be pulled out. Perform that around all areas of your humidor. If you do get the beads don't over water them a little goes a long way. Thats about it hope this helps.
check amazon - cheapest one I ever found sold for $15 from cheaphumidors. Whichever you choose, make SURE it's adjustable (the Caliber III, a new one out, isn't adjustable).
Comments