Dripper tube too thick to go through the mesh?

[shells]

Hi I read an awesome post from Carol I think about making a dripper, so I bought the dripper tube and valve and was starting to put it together then realised the tube is way too thick to go through the mesh wire on my cages, I don't know how to get the tube in any other way, I can't put it through the door as the door the won't close and it kinks the tube anyways. How do I solve this problem please?

 

[rcutchens]

Hi I read an awesome post from Carol I think about making a dripper, so I bought the dripper tube and valve and was starting to put it together then realised the tube is way too thick to go through the mesh wire on my cages, I don't know how to get the tube in any other way, I can't put it through the door as the door the won't close and it kinks the tube anyways. How do I solve this problem please?

Hi shells - well, I'm not sure the exact diameter that you're dealing with but assuming it's 1/4" tubing what I did and what I believe most people do is "drill" a hole through the mesh/screen just large enough to push the tubing through either on the top of the cage of even in one of the sides.

Now, I use the term "drill" metaphorically as you really shouldn't need to use a drill and drill bit to create the diameter hole that you need and I wouldn't recommend it because you'd probably tear up the screen if you used a real drill and bit. Instead, you can use a small flat or even a phillips head screw driver to slowly expand the diameter of an existing hole in the mesh and work it around in small circular motions to gently expand the hole to diameter you need. You could start it with a smaller screwdriver and then move to a larger one or even use a pencil. Just be sure wherever you do it is positioned where you will want the dripper tubing to come through.

I believe I started with a small phillips and finished it with a #2 which left a perfectly sized hole. I'd be careful not to make it too big so that you can use the hole to actually secure the tubing a bit - it should fit snug - so check the diameter from time to time to see if you can get the tubing through before making it wider. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to complete the job.

You can see a picture of the dripper tubing and nozzle that I've place in the upper right-hand corner of Rico's cage here -

https://www.chameleonforums.com/mem...rink-directly-dripper-if-he-chooses-well.html

Good luck.

 

[shells]

Wow thats an awesome set up you have there! Thank you so much for the help, I was confused for a minute there like, okkkk now I have the equipment how on earth do I get it in there, silly huh! Thank again for the help!

 

[rcutchens]

Wow thats an awesome set up you have there! Thank you so much for the help, I was confused for a minute there like, okkkk now I have the equipment how on earth do I get it in there, silly huh! Thank again for the help!

Not a problem - glad I could help! I feel like more of a contributor now! I've learned so much from so many great members on this forum that it's nice to be able to help others; that's what we're all here for after all!

 

[Lil nasty]

whats holding that funnel in place?

 

[rcutchens]

whats holding that funnel in place?

Hey Lil nasty. I've secured it to two sides of the cage with plant ties - you should be able to see the green plastic coated wires coming off it. I just punched two sets of small holes just under the rim at about 90 degrees apart and threaded the plant tie through the holes then twisted to make it a bit strong/sturdier and secured it through the cage. In addition, the plastic tubing itself is somewhat rigid and offers some support from the bottom. It really stays put just fine and Rico dosn't really seem to pay any attention to the funnel itself with it so it's been working so far. I don't know how well it will work when he gets older and bigger; might need something more robust to secure it.

 

[Big Gulp]

Is a tube needed, or can you just let it drip out of the "spout"?

 

[lisa h]

I let the dripper tube sit on top of the mesh (assuming you're not wanting it to come out the side of your enclosure). I find it drips just fine that way.

 

[rcutchens]

Is a tube needed, or can you just let it drip out of the "spout"?

I don't know that a tube is really necessary. I'm sure it's possible to just allow the dripper to drip through the cage screening. I assume the main thing is just ensuring your chameleon can access the water so however you get it to drip into the environment should be fine.

One thing I'd consider about with dripping through the screen, however, is the possibility of rusting. If your cage is not made from stainless steel, aluminim wire or is otherwise coated having water drip through the screen could cause rust and you wouldn't want your chameleon drinking that.

 

[sandrachameleon]

A tube is helpful in that you can aim the water more acurately (to ensure it falls on a particular leaf or into a drip catch pan or whatever), and can make it easier on the chameleon (it can drink directly from the hose end). But its not a necessity, so long as the drips that fall through screen land on something that is good for the chameleon to drink from.

 

[rcutchens]

A tube is helpful in that you can aim the water more acurately (to ensure it falls on a particular leaf or into a drip catch pan or whatever), and can make it easier on the chameleon (it can drink directly from the hose end). But its not a necessity, so long as the drips that fall through screen land on something that is good for the chameleon to drink from.

Hi Sandra! I don't mean to hijack the thread and I know I've discussed this in previous posts but I'm still thinking I'd sure like to see Rico actually drink from the dripper directly from time to time; just for my own sanity!

I've seen others recently post that they're chameleons are "trained" to drink directly from a dripper and for some reason I though some of your chamelons did this.

If so, any tips/advice on "training" chameleons to drink water from a dripper?

 

[Carlton]

Hi I read an awesome post from Carol I think about making a dripper, so I bought the dripper tube and valve and was starting to put it together then realised the tube is way too thick to go through the mesh wire on my cages, I don't know how to get the tube in any other way, I can't put it through the door as the door the won't close and it kinks the tube anyways. How do I solve this problem please?

A fine tipped wire cutter or very sharp scissors should let you make a hole in the mesh. A tip...make a larger hole and glue plastic washers on both sides of the mesh with your hole lining up with the washer center so your cut area doesn't spread over time. Also, the washers will cover any sharp wire ends and look nicer too.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I've seen others recently post that they're chameleons are "trained" to drink directly from a dripper and for some reason I though some of your chamelons did this. If so, any tips/advice on "training" chameleons to drink water from a dripper?

Yes, all of my chameleons drink directly from the dripper hoses. In all but one case, they do this openly in front of me and prefer to do most if not all of their drinking in the morning. One female is a shy drinker, and prefers to wait until I am gone before she will drink (using a webcam I have observed her drinking when I am not in the room, so I know she does still drink directly from the hose rather than from off of leaves etc).

I did nothing to train this behaviour. I just put the drippers on a fast drip every morning for about a litre of water, sometimes I will give a quick spray of the cage plants as well but not always. Then not long later I refill with another litre of water that drips slowly. And then in the late afternoon I refill again (and maybe mist quickly if I didnt do so in the morning). I position the hose end near a branch the chameleon likes, so they can be lazy about it / not have to go far. I start using drippers (in addition to misting) from about the 4th or 5th month of age (not on runts or smaller ones that may accidentally get water in their airways). Even chameleons I have bought from other breeders have become quickly accustomed to the drippers. It seems to be quite natural for them to recognize moving/dripping water, whether from a hose end or from splashes on leaves/branches dripping down.