StonewallJackson
New Member
What do you think is the best way to keep humidity at a good level in a mesh cage?
Humidity Control Question
- Thread starter StonewallJackson
- Start date
cubanbee
New Member
I'm sure there are more detailed answers depending on your specific situation (like the baseline humidity of your house, what you are already doing for hydration, why you think there's a problem now, where your cage is located), but in general:
- Regular misting by hand or automated system. Automated is pretty nice, MistKing and AquaZamp are the two most recommended.
- If by hand, a simple dripper like a Little Dripper brand one or a homemade equivalent (cup with pinholes in the bottom), sitting on the top of your cage
- Use of live plants in your enclosure. Search for "Safe Plants" here on the forum to get some good ideas. Pothos are easy to keep alive, pretty, cheap, and really functional for retaining moisture in my experience.
These measures also provide your chameleon with drinking water. Others have mentioned that misting really only spikes your humidity, and I tend to agree with the thinking that this is where the live plants come in. It's an ecosystem you're trying to recreate here. Humid ecosystems typically have heat, lots of rain and lots of plants, so I try to create that.
I live in a relatively humid place, so I don't need to go to further measures than the above. If you live somewhere very dry, I've heard of people using plastic sheeting outside one or more of your screen walls to help trap the humidity generated by your misting/heating. No personal experience there though.
I'd steer away from any standing water in your enclosure (like using a jar under a heat source). Heat+exposure to air+standing water+light=life (bacteria, etc) that you don't want in your ecosystem and depending on the size of the container, could be a potential drowning hazard for your feeders or even your chameleon. My pothos plant at the top of my enclosure gets wet from misting and warm enough from being near the basking area to keep nice and humid up there.
Hope that gives you a good start!
- Regular misting by hand or automated system. Automated is pretty nice, MistKing and AquaZamp are the two most recommended.
- If by hand, a simple dripper like a Little Dripper brand one or a homemade equivalent (cup with pinholes in the bottom), sitting on the top of your cage
- Use of live plants in your enclosure. Search for "Safe Plants" here on the forum to get some good ideas. Pothos are easy to keep alive, pretty, cheap, and really functional for retaining moisture in my experience.
These measures also provide your chameleon with drinking water. Others have mentioned that misting really only spikes your humidity, and I tend to agree with the thinking that this is where the live plants come in. It's an ecosystem you're trying to recreate here. Humid ecosystems typically have heat, lots of rain and lots of plants, so I try to create that.
I live in a relatively humid place, so I don't need to go to further measures than the above. If you live somewhere very dry, I've heard of people using plastic sheeting outside one or more of your screen walls to help trap the humidity generated by your misting/heating. No personal experience there though.
I'd steer away from any standing water in your enclosure (like using a jar under a heat source). Heat+exposure to air+standing water+light=life (bacteria, etc) that you don't want in your ecosystem and depending on the size of the container, could be a potential drowning hazard for your feeders or even your chameleon. My pothos plant at the top of my enclosure gets wet from misting and warm enough from being near the basking area to keep nice and humid up there.
Hope that gives you a good start!
Djturna4thakidz
Established Member
Not a good idea to have standing water in the chameleons cage. It can be a breeding ground for bacteria and your cham can drown. The other suggestions all work very well.
JohnDoe
Established Member
Also if things get bad with the humidity you can try a supersonic cool mist humidifier. Some people mod it with tubeing to go right into the enclosure i just ran mine next to the enclosure, and i would get humidity up to around 60-70% but i only run it for maybe 10mins every now and then if i am having trouble with the humidity
StonewallJackson
New Member
thanks guys
