I have a 1 year old Jackson, and trying to find just 'the right' stuff for him. Per vet advice, I switched from glass to screen, but having a horrible time keeping humidity constant. He just told me about a mister, and I saw the 'The Exo-Terra Monsoon High Pressure Rainfall' on-line. Can anyone let me know if they have tried this?? Also, what do you think about the screen? I have him in a medium now (he's not very big...), but can go larger. I also have an extra large double door glass.....I am a relatively 'new' reptile mom, and trying to find my way....any advice appreciated!
advice please re: mister and enclosure
- Thread starter gradym
- Start date
redline
New Member
Well you could use a cold mist humidifier and make the setup. I have a 24x24x48 cage and it work for me I guess.
Something like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj7VRSSDp5E
Something like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj7VRSSDp5E
redline
New Member
That's next... Hahaha..
pigglett79
Avid Member
I use the mist king, a cool mist humidifier and a dripper. I also have live plants in there to help. You an Google home made fogger to see how to rig a humidifier to pipe it into the cage.
Lovereps
Avid Member
I cover 3 sides of screen cages with plastic sheeting that Home Depot and Lowes sell by the roll.
I leave a one or two inch gap at the bottom to ensure good air flow.
Like others, I use the MistKing system and think it's great.
Aquazamp systems are also well regarded.
The mist system you mentioned is one that I have not heard good things about, only complaints.
A dripper is good. Live plants are good.
Despite their relatively small size, chams need rather large cages.
To give you an idea, my Jackson's are each in 24"x24"x60" home built cages.
The LLLReptile and DIY Cages screen cages are said to be good quality.
Keep in mind that as important as humidity is, standing water is no good because it will be a breeding ground for bacteria and molds.Good drainage is essential.
Fellow forum member Hoj wrote a general Montane care sheet.
Jackson's are a montane species. Montane means they live on mountains in the wild.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/hoj/634-montane-chameleon-care-info.html
I leave a one or two inch gap at the bottom to ensure good air flow.
Like others, I use the MistKing system and think it's great.
Aquazamp systems are also well regarded.
The mist system you mentioned is one that I have not heard good things about, only complaints.
A dripper is good. Live plants are good.
Despite their relatively small size, chams need rather large cages.
To give you an idea, my Jackson's are each in 24"x24"x60" home built cages.
The LLLReptile and DIY Cages screen cages are said to be good quality.
Keep in mind that as important as humidity is, standing water is no good because it will be a breeding ground for bacteria and molds.Good drainage is essential.
Fellow forum member Hoj wrote a general Montane care sheet.
Jackson's are a montane species. Montane means they live on mountains in the wild.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/hoj/634-montane-chameleon-care-info.html
Jackson advice -- thank you!
Thank you! This was incredible and valuable! I looked at the MistKing system and do you think this system would be sufficient? http://www.mistking.com/ultimate-misting-system.html.
Also, do you have a separate 'drip' system? Or, does the MistKing suffice? Right now, I have one of those 'little dripper' units (I'm not sold on it...), but 'Jack' doesn't seem too interested....I still 'dropper' feed his water (or perhaps he is just spoiled...). I did put plastic on the back side of the enclosure, and like the idea of adding more -- I am switching to a larger screen enclosure 18x18x36 for now, and as time goes on, would like to build a larger enclosure.
I also have a 40W bulb, which provides about 80-82 degrees for basking, and UV of course..., and I purchased a room cooler (you can add ice to the unit) that will help drop temp at night if needed.
Do you have a higher humidity at night? Any advice on misting frequency? Can't tell you how much I appreciate this feedback!
Thank you! This was incredible and valuable! I looked at the MistKing system and do you think this system would be sufficient? http://www.mistking.com/ultimate-misting-system.html.
Also, do you have a separate 'drip' system? Or, does the MistKing suffice? Right now, I have one of those 'little dripper' units (I'm not sold on it...), but 'Jack' doesn't seem too interested....I still 'dropper' feed his water (or perhaps he is just spoiled...). I did put plastic on the back side of the enclosure, and like the idea of adding more -- I am switching to a larger screen enclosure 18x18x36 for now, and as time goes on, would like to build a larger enclosure.
I also have a 40W bulb, which provides about 80-82 degrees for basking, and UV of course..., and I purchased a room cooler (you can add ice to the unit) that will help drop temp at night if needed.
Do you have a higher humidity at night? Any advice on misting frequency? Can't tell you how much I appreciate this feedback!
pigglett79
Avid Member
My Jacksons hates to stay hydrated so I use every method possible. I keep the little dripper going even though I have the mist king. I mist 4 times a day for 5 minutes. My lights are usually 6am to 6pm and misting at 7:30, 10, 1 and 4. All for 5 minutes. And even w that he can get dehydrated.
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
I'll mention that it's not necessary for the humidity to stay at a perfect 80% every second of every day. It's normal for the humidity to get high after misting and then drop for a little while in between. Your cage does have to dry out between mistings to ensure that it's not constantly wet and stagnant in your cage, and the same can apply to humidity.
You can cover your cage sides with plastic and set your mistking to go off for about 3-5 minutes 3-4 times a day, but don't worry too much if your humidity dips a few times throughout the day. This should still be enough to maintain skin and eye health and sufficient hydration.
You can cover your cage sides with plastic and set your mistking to go off for about 3-5 minutes 3-4 times a day, but don't worry too much if your humidity dips a few times throughout the day. This should still be enough to maintain skin and eye health and sufficient hydration.
Lovereps
Avid Member
The Mistking Ultimate is what I have used for over 3 years and you can add more nozzles if you get more chams 
I think that whether or not you need a dripper in addition to the misting system depends partly on your cham and partly on how long the mister stays on for.
Mine get enough water from long misting sessions several times a day.
Jackson's seem to be a little weird when it comes to drinking--seemingly shy about being seen drinking. Longer misting sessions seem to get them to drink enough better than shorter sessions--that's why I got a Mistking system.
The temperature in my house normally drops at night by at least 5 degrees, which seems to be ok for them.
Live plants also help to keep humidity levels more stable, though as Olimpia mentioned some variation is ok.
It's kind of funny when you do have a misting system, you sometimes see a cham lurking near the sprayer, waiting for the misting to begin.
I'm not sure how long you've had him, but if your UVB lightbulb is over 6 months old, it should be changed. The bulbs continue to emit visible light long after they stop emitting UVB--so bulbs should be changed every 6 months.
I think that whether or not you need a dripper in addition to the misting system depends partly on your cham and partly on how long the mister stays on for.
Mine get enough water from long misting sessions several times a day.
Jackson's seem to be a little weird when it comes to drinking--seemingly shy about being seen drinking. Longer misting sessions seem to get them to drink enough better than shorter sessions--that's why I got a Mistking system.
The temperature in my house normally drops at night by at least 5 degrees, which seems to be ok for them.
Live plants also help to keep humidity levels more stable, though as Olimpia mentioned some variation is ok.
It's kind of funny when you do have a misting system, you sometimes see a cham lurking near the sprayer, waiting for the misting to begin.
I'm not sure how long you've had him, but if your UVB lightbulb is over 6 months old, it should be changed. The bulbs continue to emit visible light long after they stop emitting UVB--so bulbs should be changed every 6 months.
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