I dont have to water my chams anymore!!

[Cainschams]

At least when they are outside I decided to take the day off work and get some things done. I threw this in in about 2 hours. I used what I use everyday for work (inground sprinklers) and got all supplies at company cost. Im not going to go into great detail about everything but if you have a question just ask.

First the not so automatic sprinkling system. Just hook the hose up attach the sprinkler head to the end and turn the water on

And now the automatic one. I used scrap pipe so I didnt have to invest much in the system so the pvc isnt super white but its my house and Im not worried You can see the pvc is connected to the hose bib with another hose bib in the pvc so I can winterize it. The second pipe is the conduit for the wire running inside. It took about 5 seconds to drill through the wall with a hammer drill. Still need to clean up and caulk the hole.

3/4 inch toro 254 solenoid valve.

A little run time. You can see where I trenched in the lines a little. I wasnt worried about being too neat. I would have used the ditch witch but by the time I unloaded it off the trailer, did what I needed and put it back I would have been done hand digging, that and Im not lazy The sprinkler heads are toro 570 hi-pops. The nozzles have a good arch to them so the water isnt blasting the sides of the cages.

And the toro 212 which is your normal controller that is very easy to use.

This will free some time up for me

 

[Syn]

Looks good! Hopefully they aren't being moved inside and outside too much haha.

 

[laurie]

Hey I have inground sprinklers, could I just let that water my chams when they are outside? Would the water be to cold or does it warm up enough by the time it gets to the chams? I really like this.

 

[Cainschams]

Mine stay out day and night as long as temps are good.

Laurie, Ive never really understood why people are so bent on getting the water temp up. I mean, does it really rain 70 some degree water? The water is pretty cool but my guys dont seem to care I would say go for it!

 

[Sancho]

Mine stay out day and night as long as temps are good.

Laurie, Ive never really understood why people are so bent on getting the water temp up. I mean, does it really rain 70 some degree water? The water is pretty cool but my guys dont seem to care I would say go for it!

I have a mist king and I just use room temp water my chams don't mind at all. Wish I could take my chams out like you Only have a little 4x4 yard and cage is way too heavy to carry.

 

[chrisw]

cainschams -
Are you leaving your chams out all night in Maryland already? I'm in Virginia and was going to wait until June. Are they doing ok? Always wanted to do it but was a little nervous about animals (mostly cats and dogs) and big thunderstorms. Do your chams tolerate the lower temps and all the dang rain we've been having?

 

[Cainschams]

cainschams -
Are you leaving your chams out all night in Maryland already? I'm in Virginia and was going to wait until June. Are they doing ok? Always wanted to do it but was a little nervous about animals (mostly cats and dogs) and big thunderstorms. Do your chams tolerate the lower temps and all the dang rain we've been having?

Hello Chris! What part of VA? I started keeping my montanes out all day and night UHHHHH a week ago I would say. I would take my oustalets back in for the first couple days though. Temps the first night was upper 40s!!! and a few after that in the low 50s. It depends on the species you are keeping. If you are keeping a veiled, panther, oustalets, etc. type species then I wouldnt let them get that cold. I will be leaving my ousties out as long as temps are between upper 50s and lower to mid 90s (some may disagree on those temps) and of course as long as they have a good morning sun to warm up with. When it gets hot just make sure that they have a place to get out of the sun and supply them with tons of water. Mine enjoy the rain!!!! Its how nature intended it ALso be sure the cages are stable incase of a storm and also animal proof. They benefit greatly from being housed outdoors and should be whenever possible

 

[summoner12]

I mean, does it really rain 70 some degree water?

Yes, it does.

When the temps are in the 80s and 90s then you can imagine the temp. of the rain falling from the sky is affected.The water from rain is not 50 degrees like the water coming out the thawing frozen ground of the northeastern states.

You could easily run the water through a coiled hose that sits in the direct sun, this ward warm the water for free.

but good job.

 

[Cainschams]

Yes, it does.

When the temps are in the 80s and 90s then you can imagine the temp. of the rain falling from the sky is affected.The water from rain is not 50 degrees like the water coming out the thawing frozen ground of the northeastern states.

You could easily run the water through a coiled hose that sits in the direct sun, this ward warm the water for free.

but good job.

Kevin, Ive just never remembered it feeling that warm when I am working in the rain. I havent "played"in the rain for sometime though and I guess I am not in Madagascar or Africa also. Is there any info on rain temps for these areas? You do have a good point, of course

That is a good idea too. I think I will try it. I use the black poly pipe so I am sure it wont have a problem warming up in the sun. I was just worried about too hot. Part of the system is to cool my montane species when it is getting max temps for them to be outside. I guess I can play with how big of a coil I will need to get the desired temp.

Thanks! Not so high tech as yours though I hope that project is going good for you!

 

[summoner12]

Kevin, Ive just never remembered it feeling that warm when I am working in the rain. I havent "played"in the rain for sometime though and I guess I am not in Madagascar or Africa also. Is there any info on rain temps for these areas? You do have a good point, of course

That is a good idea too. I think I will try it. I use the black poly pipe so I am sure it wont have a problem warming up in the sun. I was just worried about too hot. Part of the system is to cool my montane species when it is getting max temps for them to be outside. I guess I can play with how big of a coil I will need to get the desired temp.

Thanks! Not so high tech as yours though I hope that project is going good for you!

Even if it does get "hot' it will cool as it comes out of the spray nozzle and travels across the yard to the cage.

I saw a funny DIY on solar water heaters... someone removed the cooling array off the back of a refrigerator and then built a reflector to warm the tubing...... Not so sure I wanna drink water from an old refrigerator cooling array after refrigerant has been in there....

if the flow of water is slow enough you can get some good heat from just a coiled hose. and if you have a brick patio or area of the yard or side walk to lay the hose out on... it'll get even warmer from the heat on the pavement, heat soaking the hose. Reminds me of when I was in HS and would wash my car... the first few seconds of water were PRETTY hot from sitting in the sun.

 

[Dunnigan]

I havent "played"in the rain for sometime though and I guess I am not in Madagascar or Africa also

It rains hot water in Florida! It really sucks

 

[SoCaliSon]

Looks nice Cain! I also would worry about water being too cold for misting rather that too hot. My chams HATE if their mist is chilly at all... You can see that it really bothers them, and they hide from it. IMO Hot rain is a lot more comfy than as Forest Gump says the cold... "Little bitty stinging rain." I prefer the "Big 'ole fat rain."

 

[chrisw]

Cain-
I live west of D.C. by about 45 minutes. I get the whole outdoor thing - natural sunlight - better humidity than I can probably provide. Really want to try it. Have a good design for a stable platform to hold my three cages which would be partially under my deck so they'd get good morning sun and filtered sun in the afternoon. Up off the ground to keep dogs away. Worry more about big thunderstorms that roll thru here - my design would keep the cages from falling over but it seems like storms might really pound them. If it's working for you in Md it would work foe me. I live near some thick woods as well so my biggest fear would be a fox or a raccoon who could probably tear my screen cages open. For that reason, I probably can't use my screen cages and would have to build something stronger before I could keep them outside. Sounds like I worry a lot - but I can picture one big error wiping out all my animals. Do you bring them all back in in mid-September?

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

i love how u have everything so organized 5 stars

 

[Cainschams]

i love how u have everything so organized 5 stars

Hahahahaha. Thanks It doesnt necessarily have to be pretty as long as it works


Chris, I wouldnt worry about raccoons or foxes as much as I would dogs running around them. That may stress them out. I live a 3 minute walk from the Appalachian trail so there is plenty of wildlife around here. If we are going to get SEVERE storms at night I will bring them in but during the day or even showers at night they stay out there. Yes, I am ruthless If you provide enough cover for them in the enclosure (nice big bushy schefflera, palm, etc.) then they will hide in it if they choose to. If they will be sheltered by your deck then that should be fine as long as they arent in the path of major runoff.

The more you worry the better you plan sometimes I will bring them back in according to the weather.

What species do you own and also what town do you live in if I may ask? I live outside of Hagerstown and I work all over this area including Northern VA.

 

[chrisw]

I own two panthers - soon to be three this week. Adding one more (species to be named later...if I can land one) to get me to four - then that's it...seriously...no, seriously. All kidding aside, it has to end because I'm out of space and the wife has been patient beyond belief. Honestly - I think i have a great spot for them outside with sun and shelter but MY dog roams free in the backyard so it would probably drive them nuts. I live in the general vicinity of Leesburg.