Hi i wanted to tell you all about how to make an automated dripping system that is perfect for multiple chameleon set ups. I used a regular fish tank pump, some vinyl hosing, a misting system tube, and a wal mart timer. Simply use a bucket and or container closed or open and secure your little pump to the bottom, then connect a vinyl hose from lowes (.25 cents a foot) to the pump and connect the other end to a misting tube that has pre attached misters. Unscrew the misting heads just a bit to make them drip and add a programmable 6x a day timer. Then there you go an automatic misting system that can be installed or even layed on top of one to four cages and it will go on and off in one to sixty minute intervals based on how you set it, up to six times a day. You simply have to refill and replace the water about every two to three days which takes two minutes of your time. Simple set up and construction, saves time, takes care of them while your away, and keeps humidity high. Use live plants inside your cage (ficus or pothos) and place them under the drips so that after the water hits the leaves up top for your chameleon the extra drips into the plant thus watering the plant consistently as well. The setup cost me about 45-60 dollars and works great, and has many pluses compared to the few that are out there that cost a fortune. If you have any questions let me know. I have it on two of my cages and its awesome.
How to make an automatic dripping system that is on a timer
- Thread starter Nicklaus
- Start date
summoner12
Avid Member
Do you get a mist from those nozzles with that pump?
Reply to dripper
yes it does but the mist scares mine so i just use the dripping to water them now.
yes it does but the mist scares mine so i just use the dripping to water them now.
Hello. I just built something similar.I am having one problem though.I have clear tubing and I can see that after the pump shuts off air gets into the line,and the water has a hard time making it to the end of tube..is there anything I can do to keep the air out of the tube?btw I didn't use mister I just poked holes with a pin in the tubing. Thanks for your time .hope you can help
jr andrade
New Member
Thanks for sharing Ive been looking to make one for so long lol.
Reply to other creator
Hi i went the same route as you did in the beginning and i had the same problems. First of all are you using an air pump in the water or a submerged water pump? The air is most likely due to the holes being open like they are. How big are the holes in the tubing? if they are too big that is the problem. A simple solution is to put the pump and water source above the drip line on your cage. It wont have to work as that hard and should push any air or water out with ease. So if the holes are big then try smaller pin sized holes with a clamp on the end of your tubing to create pressure and if you want to try without new hose then place the pump and water higher than where its going. that should do the trick.
Hi i went the same route as you did in the beginning and i had the same problems. First of all are you using an air pump in the water or a submerged water pump? The air is most likely due to the holes being open like they are. How big are the holes in the tubing? if they are too big that is the problem. A simple solution is to put the pump and water source above the drip line on your cage. It wont have to work as that hard and should push any air or water out with ease. So if the holes are big then try smaller pin sized holes with a clamp on the end of your tubing to create pressure and if you want to try without new hose then place the pump and water higher than where its going. that should do the trick.
you should try it the automated watering is awesome and gives you more freedom,
Dez
Chamalot Chameleons
You can use a check valve to keep the water from back flowing.
We use to have a similar set up at our old house before we moved. It worked well but you do need some sort of drainage system!!
you can see it here (at 1:22 to the end)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yOB5CeFgec
that was a nice setup that you had. and did you ever drip the excess water into your plants? it works as a drainage system with a purpose. lol im thinking of doing a similar setup how much did it raise your electricity bill with all of those lights if you dont mind me asking. thank you
Dez
Chamalot Chameleons
Yes we had the water go into the plants but it still tended to get water logged on the bottom of the cages. Ours sprayed a mist for 45 seconds and then dripped for a little while after it turned off. I think we had it programed to go off 4 times a day.
Im not sure about the electricity.. Im sure it was, well, iIS a lot. We have more chameleons now than when that video was made and every one has a 60 watt basking bulb. We just don't have to misting system set up like that right now
Debbie61
New Member
My husband set up an automatic misting system for my enclosure only he had a direct line from the water supply at our kichen sink. He ran clear plastic tubing in the crawl space under the floor and set up the system that way. Works great and I don't have to worry about filling a reservoir.
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