ExoTerra Fogger: Is it ok to use?

[ConnieCulmer]

Hey!

So I got an ExoTerra fogger for my Veiled Cham's (glass) viv.

After about 10 minutes of using it it ran out of water and stopped working, it also gave me a nasty electric shock when I touched the water (by accident) and I dropped a cricket in it by accident too and the cricket went white.

Is this type of fogging system okay to use, are they safe for him?

Do I still need to mist his cage?

Is there anything I should look out for/be worried about?

We bought it to increase the humidity and so we wouldn't have to mist his viv as I'm starting a new job soon and wont be able to mist as often, all decent misting systems are £150+ and I just can't afford that.

Please help!

Thanks.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

If all of that happened, I would hand mist and have a dropper until you can afford a Mist King. Good Luck!!! Can you please post a picture of your enclosure?

 

[Jevin]

I agree, it sounds like you got a defective unit, it shouldn't have shocked you. All the exoterra reptifogger is, is a a cheaply built mini ultrasonic humidifier. I use an ultrasonic to maintain my room at a 50% humidity for my own comfort, and do hand misting sessions to ensure my panther chameleon's cage is in the right range. But my room humidifier has never shocked me. As for the cricket turning white in the water, that would most likely be due to the fact that water is considered to be incompressible and an ultrasonic humidifier works by basically having a metal plate vibrating at a very high speed to atomize the water. Since water doesn't compress and you proved that it shocks you when you put your finger in the water, most likely the cricket was electrocuted and the white appearance was due to the way an ultrasonic humidifier works. The white appearance could also be mineral deposits that are deposited also as a result of the way a ultrasonic humidifier works and this white dust is particularly noticeable if you use hard water, hence why in the manual of most ultrasonic humidifiers, they recommend using distilled water.

Also, the little computer fan in the reptifogger tends to die quickly. It is easier and cheaper in the long run to basically butcher an actual ultrasonic humidifier to do the same thing as the reptifogger using pvc pipe from a hardware store.

Hand misting sessions are usually still a must even with a automatic mister as usually the automatic misters will miss sections of the enclosure. Hand misting also serves two purposes, to add humidity and allow the chameleon to drink.

 

[Panthro413]

I use a crane, cool mist humidifier. Works really really well. Just stick the tubing through the hole at the top 5/8"

 

[Graves923]

I agree with above. If you got shocked from the unit it is most definitely defective and should be returned. Genereally, I find exoterra products to be poor quality. Never had one of there products work properly besides a terrarium. Hand mist and save up for a proper mist system like mistking or climist system. If you need to have a humidifier, get a regular cool mist home humidifier for the room.

Remember, veiled dont need a consistent humidity level. Humidity drops are good and the cage should completely dry out a few times per day. Adding live plants with help maintain humidity levels too and hold water droplets longer than fake plants.

I personally only use a humidifier in these winter months since my heating unit drys out the air way too much.

 

[Decadancin]

The issue I see is that without misting you will not get water droplets to form on leaves and not provide enough drinking opportunity for the chameleon.