Misting Questions...

Lpsouth1978

Lpsouth1978

Avid Member
So, I am almost ready to get my first chameleon, but I don't yet have a misting system. I am planning on getting a MistKing system, but may not be able to for a few more weeks. I have a hand mister, but I work from 9-5 each day. I can hand mist at about 8am before going to work, and again at about 5:30pm after work. The lights stay on until 8:00pm so there is time for it to dry out before lights out.

Is this acceptable until I can get the misting system? I will also set up a dripper, so there will be water available all day. I can also use a fogger to help keep humidity up during the day if needed.

I want to get my chameleon, but if the above misting schedule is not ok I will wait (though it will be a VERY difficult thing to do).:)

Also how many times, on average, do people mist each day? And for how long? I know there are a lot of factors that play into this, but a general rule of thumb would be great!
 
You need to get your mist king before your chameleon if you work 9-5 and it will not get misted when your gone. Chameleons drink from moving water so if you are not offering him moving water via mister or a dripper than it will become extremely dehydrated even if you use a fogger. We have a schedule where it goes off every couple hours for about 5 minutes each time and then once in the late afternoon for about 9 minutes.
 
I have been looking into DIY misting systems and came across some misting nozzles for sprinkler systems. I already have a diaphragm pump that I used with an RO/DI system in the past. I think I will stop and pick up a nozzle or 2 this afternoon and see how they work. If things go well, I may just have a misting system for next to nothing, like $20 with a timer.

I still want to get a mist king system, but this may just work in the meantime.
 
The positive thing about a mistking in the pump won't run without water
e.g- will not burn up the motor and cost more money in the long run they also have warranties and it supporting a site sponsor is always a bonus!
 
Oliviabryant said:
The positive thing about a mistking in the pump won't run without water- ie won't burn up the motor and cost more money in the long run they also have warranties and it supporting a site sponsor is always a bonus!
Click to expand...

The MistKing pump can run dry without damage because it is a diaphragm pump. The same pump is readily available from other sources for less money. I already had a diphragm pump that I used years ago for an RO/DI system for saltwater tanks. I am all for supporting the site sponsors, but being on a tight budget, I am even more for saving money by DIY'ing whatever I can.

I could have spent $200 on a MistKing system and would have if needed, but why would I if I can get a system that works JUST AS WELL for 90% less? If I had to buy a pump I MIGHT have purchased the MistKing system. Doing a DIY misting system is certainly not for everyone nor will it save everyone as much as I did, but MistKing and AquaZamp are not the only viable systems for people and certainly not the cheapest.

MistKing and Aquazamp both have great systems, but I for one will probably never buy a MistKing or AquaZamp system now that I know how to make one on my own. I may even have to do an in depth write up on building one.
 
I would like to see that write up! I am a big DIY'er and I have been looking into building my own mist system. Where did you get your pump, it is crazy quiet?
 
I got the pump used from a local fish store a few years ago. It is VERY quiet. The mist coming out the nozzles is far louder. You can get cheap ones on eBay though I don't know how quiet they are. I may try one for my next build. I was looking on eBay and found some better built(metal, not plastic) pumps for anywhere from $30-50. I like the aquatech pumps but they run closer to $100, though they are made in the USA.

I will have to do a build thread in the next couple of weeks. I will try one of the cheap ebay pumps and see how it goes.
 
To the OP, in my opinion you will be fine without a misting system when you start out. Mist before and after work with a drip system and you should be just fine. Utilize a live plant in your enclosure and that will also help with with the humidity levels.
 
Keep an eye out for a DIY Misting System thread. I ordered the pump last night and should have it next week. I will work on the thread as soon as I have the pump. I will also post here with a link to the thread.
 
Lpsouth1978 said:
The MistKing pump can run dry without damage because it is a diaphragm pump. The same pump is readily available from other sources for less money. I already had a diphragm pump that I used years ago for an RO/DI system for saltwater tanks. I am all for supporting the site sponsors, but being on a tight budget, I am even more for saving money by DIY'ing whatever I can.

I could have spent $200 on a MistKing system and would have if needed, but why would I if I can get a system that works JUST AS WELL for 90% less? If I had to buy a pump I MIGHT have purchased the MistKing system. Doing a DIY misting system is certainly not for everyone nor will it save everyone as much as I did, but MistKing and AquaZamp are not the only viable systems for people and certainly not the cheapest.

MistKing and Aquazamp both have great systems, but I for one will probably never buy a MistKing or AquaZamp system now that I know how to make one on my own. I may even have to do an in depth write up on building one.
Click to expand...

$200 for a MistKing system? More like $99 for a MistKing. Unless you are using over 10 nozzles there is no need for anything more than the starter system.
 
Mike Fisher said:
I've been using one of these ebay pumps: http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Volt-DC..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item5d3fd8d967&vxp=mtr It is loud. Thump, thump, thump. Could be partly because I mounted it on top of the reservoir. Besides that it works well, just slight pulsing of the flow through the nozzles.

Let us know if yours is any quieter.
Click to expand...

I will let you know. The one I ordered is different than that one, so we will see.

Video Master said:
$200 for a MistKing system? More like $99 for a MistKing. Unless you are using over 10 nozzles there is no need for anything more than the starter system.
Click to expand...

You are correct, you can get the basic system for $99+ $25 shipping. So if you only need 1 nozzle, it would cost $124. I have a large custom built enclosure and needed 3 nozzles. Once 2 additional nozzles are added the price goes up to $155.

I was originally looking at the ultimate value misting system which comes with three nozzles, the zip drip valve, and several other additions. This system would cost me $216 shipped.

Since I will not be doing a zip drip feature, lets compare the starter package, with 2 additional nozzles, to my DIY system.

Parts needed and cost:

- Diaphragm pump - $30 shipped
- Power transformer - Free, had several old 12v transformers laying around
- 0.8 GPH fogger nozzles - $5
- 10 feet of black 1/4" tube - $5
- 2 x 1/4" John Guest t's - $5
- 4 x 1/4" John Guest elbows - $10
- 2 x 3/8" to 1/4" reducers - $5
- Minute Light timer - $10
- Bucket with lid - $3
- A little ingenuity - PRICELESS:)

So going with my prices locally here in Colorado, I can build a system for a grand total of $68. Or I could choose to buy a comparable system from Mistking for an additional $87. Even if I decided to get a SHURflo pump, which I found online for $70, I would save $47. To me that is a pretty significant savings.

I am not saying that everyone should go out and build their own misting system, But it certainly makes sense for many of us, especially those with enclosures that are more than 2 feet wide.
 
Where did you get the fogger nozzles?

I built my DIY system because that's what I do with almost everything. I like to experiment. It had little to do with saving money.

The zip drip is a neat idea, but mine only produces about one or two drips when it shuts off. I looked at adding a normally open dump solenoid early on, but a few drips is not a problem since my chameleons will go out of their way to lick the drops off of the nozzle anyway.

I'm curious to see how many nozzles I can run off of my pump. I currently have six, no sweat.
 
Last edited:
Lpsouth1978 said:
Keep an eye out for a DIY Misting System thread.
Click to expand...

I was going to do a thread months ago but decided against hurting the forum sponsors. We have two forum sponsors that manufacture misting systems and support employees and families. I figured that they didn't need me to throw a wrench in the works.
 
Mike Fisher said:
I was going to do a thread months ago but decided against hurting the forum sponsors. We have two forum sponsors that manufacture misting systems and support employees and families. I figured that they didn't need me to throw a wrench in the works.
Click to expand...

I fully understand the thought, but there are many who would like to know how to build one on their own. I doubt that my little tutorial will adversely effect either MistKing or AquaZamp. The members of this forum represent a VERY small portion of their business.

That being said, my new pump is supposed to be delivered today, so I will be doing a build thread for it sometime this weekend.
 
I was thinking about the whole DIY thing. But to me, I would just rather pay the 200 for the MistKing system, (Which I did) and have the piece of mind that it will work fine for a long time. Also not to mention, customer service. Which they answered all my random questions.

My 2 Chams love the mistking.
 
Misting schedules ~ what do you think

:)
UVB LIGHTS ON 07:00 AM 12 HOURS
MIST 07:30 AM 30 SECONDS
BASKING LIGHT ON 08:00 AM 9 HOURS
MIST 08:00 AM 2 MINUTES
FEEDING TIME 08:15 AM 30 MINUTES
MIST 10:00 AM 3 MINUTES
MIST 12:05 PM 4 MINUTES
MIST 02:30 PM 2 MINUTES
MIST 04:00 PM 5 MINUTES
SNACK TIME 04:45 PM 15 MINUTES
BASKING LIGHT OFF 05:00 PM 9 HOURS
MIST 06:00 PM 2 MINUTES
UVB LIGHTS OFF 07:00 PM SLEEPING

FOUR CHAMELEONS
FOUR SPRAYERS
ANY IDEA OR RECCOMMENDATION IS TOTALLY WELCOMED.
ps:
got my system from Marty at MistKing systems
I must say this is the best purchase, besides my chameleons
I've done in a very long time.
***** FIVE STARS TO MiSTkING!
 
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