I've read a bunch of mixed posts about running drippers in conjunction with misting. With misting all I hear is "let the cage dry out between mistings". I was curious about other people's different views or sees a problem with running a dripper all day, turning it off at night. The cage dries out between mistings except for the back of it where I have the dripper set up. I just don't want to cause any unnecessary health issues for the constant dripping. Yes, I have a drainage system.
Running a dripper question
- Thread starter Jasonl512
- Start date
Jason I have tried everything. The problem with a dripper system is then you have a bowl of water down at the bottom that you have to empty every single day. I tried putting a plant and a bowl underneath the plant so that I can water the plant is just too much water at one time.
You cannot go wrong with the mistking. I have it set on a timer and it goes off every couple hours for about a minute each time. I use only screen cages and lots of life plants so I never have an issue with the cage not trying out.
My cams are trained now when they hear the water spray that it's time to drink
You cannot go wrong with the mistking. I have it set on a timer and it goes off every couple hours for about a minute each time. I use only screen cages and lots of life plants so I never have an issue with the cage not trying out.
My cams are trained now when they hear the water spray that it's time to drink
ZiggyStardust
New Member
Betzjen - honestly no disrespect, but what is wrong with emptying a bowl of water every day? Just make it part of your routine.
I have a large plastic container in the bottom of my cage, underneath the plants that my dripper drips on. The container is encased in a sheer, nylon stocking, so that the feeders don't fall in and drown and neither will my chameleon. My drippers are on for as long as the lights are, they get turned off at night when my boys go to sleep.
I honestly believe that you need a dripper, because although your chameleon has learned to drink from a misting system, some of them don't so if they have access to drops of water on plants whenever they are awake, they will never suffer the risk of dehydration.
Misting is important as well, as it keeps the humidity spiking at certain times during the day.
I have a large plastic container in the bottom of my cage, underneath the plants that my dripper drips on. The container is encased in a sheer, nylon stocking, so that the feeders don't fall in and drown and neither will my chameleon. My drippers are on for as long as the lights are, they get turned off at night when my boys go to sleep.
I honestly believe that you need a dripper, because although your chameleon has learned to drink from a misting system, some of them don't so if they have access to drops of water on plants whenever they are awake, they will never suffer the risk of dehydration.
Misting is important as well, as it keeps the humidity spiking at certain times during the day.
It is a huge problem when you have tons of vines and sticks etc. in his cage that you have to pull a full bowl of water out without spilling.
Also limits you from going out of town.
Some people trippers work for them some people misters work for them for me the misting system works the best. I have a drip system but I don't use it very often.
I have an eight-year-old veiled it three-year-old vieled three-year-old panther a 10-month-old Jackson's and 19 baby Jackson's and they all prefer the misting system to the dripper
Also limits you from going out of town.
Some people trippers work for them some people misters work for them for me the misting system works the best. I have a drip system but I don't use it very often.
I have an eight-year-old veiled it three-year-old vieled three-year-old panther a 10-month-old Jackson's and 19 baby Jackson's and they all prefer the misting system to the dripper
ZiggyStardust
New Member
That's great and obviously works for you, I appreciate that, but I designed my cage so at the bottom there is room for me to remove the water container every day without issue.
There are lots of options available to people, all I was saying in my post was that you need to try something to see if it works..... a dripper system is a lot less expensive than something like a Mistking.
Also, I wasn't criticising your ability to keep chameleons happy.... just that my opinion was different to yours. You obviously know what you're doing, as do I. We just have different systems, that both work, to keep our chameleons well and at the optimum level of health.
ZiggyStardust
New Member
Super!! That was the last thing that I wanted to do.
Kudos to you, BTW, for keeping all those Chameleons!! I have my work cut out with just two!!
Wow....lol I think what I was saying got misinterpreted. I have a mistking that sprays him 3 times a day for 4 minutes AND a dripper. I was just wondering with everyone saying "let the enclosure dry out completely" if that meant 100% dried out. For instance, I have the dripper going at all times when the lights are on and turn it off at night. So there is water on the leaves and pooled up a little bit on the bottom of the cage until it drains through the small holes I drilled on the bottom of the cage to drain.
I was just wondering if this extra water throughout the day is ok or if there will be health problems coming from it not technically drying out 100% between mistings. The key saying that I keep on reading is "let the cage dry out completly" which is throwing me off and maybe I am taking that to literally. Here is my setup. I have holes drilled on the bottom of the cage and the water goes to a tupperware lid that I have a hole and nozzle drilled out and glued to which drains through a tube which goes to a gallon jug that I empty every 3-4 days.
I was just wondering if this extra water throughout the day is ok or if there will be health problems coming from it not technically drying out 100% between mistings. The key saying that I keep on reading is "let the cage dry out completly" which is throwing me off and maybe I am taking that to literally. Here is my setup. I have holes drilled on the bottom of the cage and the water goes to a tupperware lid that I have a hole and nozzle drilled out and glued to which drains through a tube which goes to a gallon jug that I empty every 3-4 days.
Saldarya
Established Member
If you have drainage at the bottom of the cage, and it appears you do, then by all means use a dripper in conjunction with the mister.
The concern you have with the cage drying out is an issue in the sense that you do not want stagnant water building up anywhere whether in pools or in the depths of plants.
In the case of the dripper, if it is a single drip style, I would have them drip onto a leaf or two before hitting the ground nad draining out.
You will have no standing water issues.
In short, it is much more natural for them to drink from dripping water and you will find that many of them will enjoy.
All that is to say that all of my cages, 30+, have a mister AND drippers.
So I am certainly a fan of it.
The concern you have with the cage drying out is an issue in the sense that you do not want stagnant water building up anywhere whether in pools or in the depths of plants.
In the case of the dripper, if it is a single drip style, I would have them drip onto a leaf or two before hitting the ground nad draining out.
You will have no standing water issues.
In short, it is much more natural for them to drink from dripping water and you will find that many of them will enjoy.
All that is to say that all of my cages, 30+, have a mister AND drippers.
So I am certainly a fan of it.
Super!! That was the last thing that I wanted to do.
Kudos to you, BTW, for keeping all those Chameleons!! I have my work cut out with just two!!
I wasnt planning on the 19 babies. That was unexpected seeing how she was never eith a male while in my care.
Djturna4thakidz
Established Member
There is no substitute for either, dripping or misting. In my experience it is very beneficial to do both. A bowl at the bottom of the cage is not a good way to collect water. As previously stated build a drainage system that does not need to be emptied everyday. If you are hydrating your chams correctly you should be using a good amount of water per day. Good drainage also helps to prevent stagnant water.
Thanks for the help. That's what I was looking for. I'll continue to use both then. My dripper works with a tube zip tied to the top of the cage and I actually pocked a couple holes in the tube to where there is about 3 spots where it drips on the pothos plant underneath and eventually makes its way to the bottom to where it drains. I go through about half a gallon a day between the mister and dripper so I usually have to empty the drain bucket every 3rd day or longer. Thanks for confirming that I am doing things correctly.
