Humidifier Option: Inexpensive and Flexible

[tenchijin]

Last fall when I was building a huge enclosure for my son's iguana, I stumbled across these ultrasonic elements. They're made for putting into a pond or fountain for decorative mist, but with a bit of tweaking work really well for terrarium humidification. Here's a short video of one in current use in Michi's cage. For those who don't know I just got Michi 2 days ago, adopted off of Craigslist with the screen cage and power mister shown here. I added the ultrasonic fountain today:


The element is purchased on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PAK21WU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hope this is helpful. Incidentally right now, the runoff from the power mister drains down the anthurium leaves and then right into the rubbermaid container where the ultrasonic element is contained.

Aric

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Is there any possibility that the runoff carries with it or passes through any of the animal's waste back into that Rubbermaid? If so bacteria can be transported on the mist and deposited where ever the mist goes. I believe there was an article about this years ago, it's why many keepers don't use them. I like the little things, I'll use it in a frog terrarium but that is water the frog already sits in and is filtered water too.

 

[tenchijin]

Is there any possibility that the runoff carries with it or passes through any of the animal's waste back into that Rubbermaid? If so bacteria can be transported on the mist and deposited where ever the mist goes. I believe there was an article about this years ago, it's why many keepers don't use them. I like the little things, I'll use it in a frog terrarium but that is water the frog already sits in and is filtered water too.

I really don't think that's likely in this case. The chameleon doesn't defecate on the plant, his waste ends up in the orchid bark where I can remove it easily. Also, the container the humidifier is in will be cleaned out pretty frequently.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

I really don't think that's likely in this case. The chameleon doesn't defecate on the plant, his waste ends up in the orchid bark where I can remove it easily. Also, the container the humidifier is in will be cleaned out pretty frequently.

I'm just trying to be a bit helpful. This is the same reason the majority of keepers don't use fountains. Sooner or later the cham will take a dump on the plant. As for cleaning out the water container, good for you if you can clean it daily. Most folks can't (or forget) and I'd hate for a new keeper to read this topic and not know what they are in for.

Now if your system didn't use the same water over and over, you'd be on to something.

 

[tenchijin]

I'm just trying to be a bit helpful. This is the same reason the majority of keepers don't use fountains. Sooner or later the cham will take a dump on the plant. As for cleaning out the water container, good for you if you can clean it daily. Most folks can't (or forget) and I'd hate for a new keeper to read this topic and not know what they are in for.

Now if your system didn't use the same water over and over, you'd be on to something.

Only a very small amount of water actually recycles back into it to be honest. It's not some super recycling system or something. And as soon as the plant grows or changes the drip runoff will change and it won't happen. I just thought it was kind of cool how it worked out when I set it up.

Your warning about fecal contamination and bacterial spread is still good advice.