Humidifiers - best kind and where to buy?

[MontyAndMelissa]

I need to get a humidifier for Charma's tank. I just started working again, and my boyfriend is out of town, so it's hard to keep her humidity up while I'm gone if my family forgets to mist. I've been thinking about getting a humidifier for a while now, and I need to find one fairly inexpensive.

Should I get a warm mist humidifier or a cool mist one?
Should I get a timed power strip so it can come on every 45 minutes or so? and stay on for a few minutes at each time? How would I do that?
Do they have humidifers with timers on them?
Should I just let it be going all the time?

I also need to build her a new enclosure, what is the best, most cost efficent way to do that? Just some window screen and wood as the frame? Or should I use something that will stand up to water better, such as piping? PVC?

What should I use as the top of the tank, where the lights rest?

Sorry for the 10 million questions, I just really want to make sure I'm doing this right.

 

[Carlton]

Should I get a warm mist humidifier or a cool mist one?

Cool mist, the ultrasonic type that creates fine fog.

Should I get a timed power strip so it can come on every 45 minutes or so? and stay on for a few minutes at each time? How would I do that?

I don't think there are power strips with multiple timing cycles on them. However, you can use a programmable plug-in timer that let you create multiple on-off cycles and plug the humidifier into that.

Do they have humidifers with timers on them?

Not sure, and they may not have brief enough cycle options anyway.

Should I just let it be going all the time?

No need to do that. Too much misting will cause mildew in the room.

I also need to build her a new enclosure, what is the best, most cost efficent way to do that? Just some window screen and wood as the frame? Or should I use something that will stand up to water better, such as piping? PVC?

What should I use as the top of the tank, where the lights rest?

Metal hardware mesh.

Sorry for the 10 million questions, I just really want to make sure I'm doing this right.[/QUOTE]

 

[ChameLIonLover]

I got an ultrasonic Idylis brand humidifier from lowes. Humidity is a problem in my house especially during the dryer winter months. It was 90 or so dollars with warranty (thank god I got it.... It works well, but a sensor on it failed) and it gets the job done. Settings include a built in timer so you cnw have it run for up to 24 hours straight. You can also have it turn on or off depending on the humidity level you want... I like it and it was a must have for me.