Pump strength for rain system

[GrimsbyPatchwork]

I am planning on making a rain system using water pumped to piping connected in a grid over the cage. The piping would have pin holes for the water to drip all over the cage and create a realistic and natural rain effect. I will not use my misting pump as it will spray the water out and i am not going to use direct water bottles dripper style as I have no control over rain scedules . What I have in mind is either an aquarium pump or a fountain pump that is strong enough to feed 2 or 3 cages keeping in mind that the reservior will be at bottom cage level. I will be using a regulator before the y connection to adjust the flow..any thoughts on what kind of pump would be adaptable?

 

[acmbarber]

I have done something very similar. I am using a 45w pump. It claimed to have 2.5 m of head, meaning it can lift the water that high, and I have had no problems except....

1. My chameleon is still to small for the cage I build so I am waiting another 4 weeks to use it for real. I figure I will post pics then.
2. I realized that with the size of the pump, I wanted a big water supply. This fits better at the top of the cage so I have a lot of extra power. I was using a ball value to limit the water until....
3. Raising the water tank above the coiled airline tubing (with pin holes that acts as an awesome dripper) has created a siphon effect that slowly drained the reservoir which continually (but slowly) dripped.
4. To counter act this I have had to put in a "T" with a check valve that does not close... meaning I am inefficiently and noisily returning water to my reservoir.
5. ... it sure drips nicely though...

Most problems could be avoided by keeping the water reservoir at the bottom.

I'm using this: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/110V-45W-250...032?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d379005a0

Good luck.

 

[GrimsbyPatchwork]

Thanks ...do you think that from the flow rate and pressure that you would be able to feed 2 or 3 cages ? Or do I need to up the pressure ?

 

[choppers1]

Try a mag 5 or mag 7. I think mag 7 have a height pressure of 10 ft.

 

[GrimsbyPatchwork]

Try a mag 5 or mag 7. I think mag 7 have a height pressure of 10 ft.

Excuse my ignorance but would you please tell me what Mag means please ?

...I have found these and was thinking of 210GPH to supply 3 cages ...if the flow rate is too much I would use a regulator

 

[GrimsbyPatchwork]

.....http://www.ebay.ca/itm/80-160-180-2...efaultDomain_0&var&hash=item19e16a892a&_uhb=1

 

[choppers1]

Mag 7 is 700gph.

 

[acmbarber]

Malta is 220V? Lucky is seems much more affordable for buying ebay items from China. Not much pressure would be needed for a dripper so I am pretty sure that the pump would be fine as long as it can pump to the required height.

 

[GrimsbyPatchwork]

Malta is 220V? Lucky is seems much more affordable for buying ebay items from China. Not much pressure would be needed for a dripper so I am pretty sure that the pump would be fine as long as it can pump to the required height.

yep Malta is actually 240v ..stuff from China is extremely cheap, they just take a while to arrive..like 2 weeks give and take, I purchased a diaphragm pump and a minute timer for under €20 \ $28 ..