Lighting and misting

[indefine]

Hi all, newbie here looking for aome insight. I am preparing for a baby veiled and so far i have an enclosure set up with a 7inch dome basking lamp and a 36" hood that i converted from an aquarium. The hood hangs off the top of the enclosure by about an inch and the basking lamp will sit on top of the lllreptile screen cage.

I have a mistking nozzle set up in the front right corner. My question is, with these lights sitting at top and misting nozzle so close, how do you guys with similar setups prevent spray getting onto the lights and exploding everything?

Is it just a matter of aiming the nozzle properly? Perhaps sheilding the lights? But once you do that you lose effectiveness of the heat lamp and uvb getting through. I am dumbfounded and looking for a safe and functional suggestion.

All comments and ideas appreciated. Also, pic of my enclosure so far.

(Sorry dunno how to rotate pics and pics taken before lights put in)

 

[Carlton]

Shield the spray from the lights instead...you could shape the spray so it doesn't reach them. Maybe cut up a plastic deli container so part of the side blocks spray in just the right spot. Or, lay some sort of heat resistant plastic on the top screen where it will intercept a part of the spray pattern.

One household item I find dozens of uses for (including something like this) are those flexible sheet cutting boards. The plastic cuts with scissors, it can be heated up and bent to hold a shape, and you can glue, wire, zip tie, or wedge the pieces almost anywhere.

 

[indefine]

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess sheilding the spray at the nozzle locally would be the best way, directing the spray away from the lights and thereby not blocking too much of its rays.

Also never knew about those cutting sheets. I think i got a couple ideas brewing. Thx again.

 

[ThePantherBaron]

Trying mounting the mist king nozzle outside of the cage and have it spray on the screen on the top of the cage on one side. Definitely away from the side he basks on. They will learn to drink from the collected water on the screen and leaves below. The goal for me is to keep 2/3rds of the cage dry at all times. Also do you have drainage and you will want to possibly use a drip system as well.

 

[melble68]

I too was curious what you are doing w/ drainage? I really think you are on the right track your "pre-arrival" enclosure looks spectacular. Nice and full w/ the schefflera, plenty of horizontals, and an interesting stand. Is the stand something you bought or built? It appears to fit perfectly. Btw, you will never get totally complete with your enclosure. You'll always be doing something to it to make it better.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/drainage-systems-cages-get-creative-102038/

Here's a great thread w/ tons of ideas for drainage.

 

[indefine]

On the right of the cage is the reservoir for the mist king. And on the left is a white bucket used for drainage. The cage is tilted towards that back corner where i have a hole drilled through the tray and stand, connected with a 3/4" bulkhead connected to clear 3/4" tubing into the white bucket. The hole to the bulkhead is covered with mesh.

I have also used aquarium silicone on the water tray, as well as lined the inside of the tray entirely with 2mil plastic sheet. Also around the sides and behind the background is a clear shower curtain held up by magnets. Call me paranoid but i am taking all precautions to contain any possibility of leaks, since i live in a condo.

I do also have a big dripper which will also hang from the crossbar above the cage. I didnt want anything heavy resting on the cage, ao unless absolutely necessary, everything else is not attached or on the cage, but rather independent of it.

I actually have a hibiscus in the back, schefflera in the middle and a pothos in the front. I wanted to hang a hoya in the top left corner too but thought it too crowded so left it for now. Perhaps i will make another post with more detailed pics for some criticisms.

My next step is to run the cage as if my cham is already in there to make sure everything is running proper for the next couple of weeks...since it will be about a month before i get him.

Sorry for the longwinded reply, but this enclosure has been so fun and i'm addicted to chams and i dont even have mine yet!

 

[indefine]

Oh and the stand, it was bought but repurposed to fit this enclosure. Originally it was for those Vision brand bird cages.

 

[melble68]

longwinded not at all. keep it up. you are doing great. you are not paranoid. if there is what its gonna try to find its way out. i use corrugated plastic board as dividers and splash guards that i velcro to the frame. When enclosures are outside on my patio, there is only the divider.