Using a humidifier

[AReptile]

I've had one for a long time that my parents got me and its been sitting in its box for who knows how long. Anyway I saw someone on here talking about using them for the chameleon for the humidity level and I'm wondering if its a good idea to use. And if so does it need to be close to the chameleon's enclosure or can it be anywhere in the room?

 

[Carlton]

First, what is your cage humidity level range normally? If you cham isn't having dehydration issues, you can spray the cage often enough, and your cage humidity is OK, you don't really need it. But, during winter heating season or summer AC season and for a too dry cage they are a great option. If it is an evaporative type (blows air through a wick or water saturated filter) you'll need to change the filters often to avoid bacteria growth. If it is an ultrasonic type that produces a fine fog, again you'll need to clean it periodically and use demineralized water in the reservoir.

 

[AReptile]

Hmm usually 30% without misting, have a baby veiled. I feel like I never see him drink and sometimes the hygrometer reads anywhere from 30 to 70 when i do mist. But the hygrometer is a crappy one i dont have a digital one atm. I never really see the cham drink and im thinking he might have a bit of dehydration starting to set in. I'm in NY and we're buried under the snow atm, very cold here..

 

[Carlton]

That level sounds low especially for a young cham. But, if you don't trust the hygrometer you don't really know for sure. I've found the cheapos tend to work for a while and then stick at one level most of the time. Test it by first putting it in a known dry area and then moving it to your bathroom after a shower. If it doesn't react quickly it is toast.

What type of humidifier is it? You could test it by setting it right by the cham's cage (tank?) and running it in cycles. There should be a dry period so the cage perches and plants can dry out well each day.

 

[AReptile]

It's a vicks cool mist humidifier. I really don't trust this hygrometer and i do need a digital one but for now this is what i have. So you're saying the humidifier should be near the cage if i do try it?

 

[warpdrive]

well, I'm from the NYC area too.
yes we are buried under a ton of snow right now.

my humidity in my apartment is around 30% without the humidifier on.
with it on, it's about 40%-45%.

I leave mine on most of the winter to help my chams get added moisture from just breathing in the moisture from the air.
in the summer, I just crack a window and run my AC on energy saver...almost no need for the humidifier.

while you should get a digital hygrometer, I would say turn on that vicks humidifier (without the filter) and let your cham enjoy the added humidty

Harry

 

[Carlton]

It's a vicks cool mist humidifier. I really don't trust this hygrometer and i do need a digital one but for now this is what i have. So you're saying the humidifier should be near the cage if i do try it?

Yes, you can aim the spout right at the cage or direct the humid air stream into the cage with pvc pipe or some flexible tubing. It probably won't need to run all the time, its better to create humid and dryer cycles during the day. I like a humid period in the morning, a dry out period mid day, and more humid again mid to late afternoon similar to what the wild might be like. Don't run it at night.

 

[Lizardboy76]

Does any one know of a good brand of humidifier with the right size openings for the pvc pipes to fit multiple cages or any one with pictures of their setup.

 

[AReptile]

Yes some pictures would be helpful. Though i dont think i could have a pipe go from this humidifier.

 

[Elizadolots]

I have a Vick's cool mist humidifier that we bought for our daughter. It's now 10 years old, but I bet the technology is the same..I don't think you need to worry overly about directing the mist. Just put is so the opening points at the cage and it will do its job. The closer it is to the cage, the more the moisture will land in the cage, so put it right up there....

I would not recommend using it in the last couple of hours you'll be giving your chameleon "sunlight" because it does get stuff wet...that's great for your chameleon, but wet + night often equals cold...and, cold is not good.

The big thing (and, maybe they've fixed this) is that mine was loud...while my human child was able to absorb that and consider it "background noise" I don't know if chameleons can do that.

So...use your best judgement on the noise thing...

 

[xHABITUALx]

Yes, you can aim the spout right at the cage or direct the humid air stream into the cage with pvc pipe or some flexible tubing. It probably won't need to run all the time, its better to create humid and dryer cycles during the day. I like a humid period in the morning, a dry out period mid day, and more humid again mid to late afternoon similar to what the wild might be like. Don't run it at night.

Why not run at night? Care sheets tell me that the humidity for veiled should increase to 75%-100%, not sure how to achieve this without running humidifier at night

 

[Pearl Fields]

Why not run at night? Care sheets tell me that the humidity for veiled should increase to 75%-100%, not sure how to achieve this without running humidifier at night

Just FYI this thread is from 2010... maybe start a new thread to get answers to this.