Question for those who run humidifiers

[Kaianuanu]

I have a question for those who run humidifiers. Particularly the ultrasonic AKA cool mist variety. Does that provide water for your cham? Do you use a dripper, automatic misting system, or manual mister in conjunction with it? Also, how big is your cage?

 

[jshaffer740]

See this thread and this thread. But basically it should not be your sole water source, or really not even considered a water source for that matter. Chams won't drink from that sort of mist . You will need a dripper and also mist via a handheld sprayer or automated misting system - they will drink from the water droplets provided by these two methods.

 

[Kaianuanu]

So if I'm running a humidifier & a dripper I still need to mist? If so, would you still mist the entire enclosure for the purpose of humidity or could you just spot mist on and around the cham to allow it to drink, since you would already have the humidifier keeping the humidity up?

 

[Chameleonsthecoolest]

I use a repti fogger and its ok sometimes it has to make noises to start but yes mine forms water droplets on the top of the cage and it works well enough so I don't need a dripper but I still spray the cage

 

[jshaffer740]

So if I'm running a humidifier & a dripper I still need to mist? If so, would you still mist the entire enclosure for the purpose of humidity or could you just spot mist on and around the cham to allow it to drink, since you would already have the humidifier keeping the humidity up?

I guess it sort of depends. It may be something you would need to try out and see how it goes. The one important thing is that cage does need to dry out in between misting, or your risk respiratory infection, bacteria, etc. That's always my main concern with constant fogging blasting directly into an enclosure.

Also, it is good for the cham to be able to take a nice shower from the misting, they get to clean their eyes, etc, which is a benefit of doing the misting.

The bottom line is if you run the dripper, and run a humidifier (but don't blast into the cage), and are confident that your chameleon is drinking and showing good signs of hydration, then I think you would be okay. Just make sure the cage gets a chance to dry out between humidifier use, and you aren't getting things too humid.

I would still recommend misting over a humidifier, and rely on the humidifier to supplement ambient humidity. Of course all of this depends on species, as they do have varying requirements.

 

[Carlton]

I guess it sort of depends. That's always my main concern with constant fogging blasting directly into an enclosure.

Also, it is good for the cham to be able to take a nice shower from the misting, they get to clean their eyes, etc, which is a benefit of doing the misting.

The bottom line is if you run the dripper, and run a humidifier (but don't blast into the cage), and are confident that your chameleon is drinking and showing good signs of hydration, then I think you would be okay. Just make sure the cage gets a chance to dry out between humidifier use, and you aren't getting things too humid.

I would still recommend misting over a humidifier, and rely on the humidifier to supplement ambient humidity. Of course all of this depends on species, as they do have varying requirements.

No one should be running any type of humidifier or fogger constantly.

Using a humidifier as a supplement to some sort of spraying really depends on your particular house climate and the species you have. If the air in your house is dry either because you live in a dry climate, need an AC in summer or use forced air heat in winter, a cham cage can dry out relatively quickly after you spray it. Chams are adapted to areas that stay humid 24/7 so they are not very efficient at conserving body moisture. Humans don't want the inside of their houses even close to the humidity level of a tropical forest. Even if your cham gets the chance to drink a couple of times a day (during misting...fogging droplets don't condense enough), if the air is really dry the cage will dry out enough to dehydrate the cham before you spray again. Some chams don't start drinking immediately during misting, so a lot of the droplets have already evaporated before they get enough. A humidifier helps stabilize the cage humidity level a bit higher than the room itself. You can create drier and more humid cycles in the cage without having to flood the cage by too much spraying.

 

[jshaffer740]

No one should be running any type of humidifier or fogger constantly.

Using a humidifier as a supplement to some sort of spraying really depends on your particular house climate and the species you have. If the air in your house is dry either because you live in a dry climate, need an AC in summer or use forced air heat in winter, a cham cage can dry out relatively quickly after you spray it. Chams are adapted to areas that stay humid 24/7 so they are not very efficient at conserving body moisture. Humans don't want the inside of their houses even close to the humidity level of a tropical forest. Even if your cham gets the chance to drink a couple of times a day (during misting...fogging droplets don't condense enough), if the air is really dry the cage will dry out enough to dehydrate the cham before you spray again. Some chams don't start drinking immediately during misting, so a lot of the droplets have already evaporated before they get enough. A humidifier helps stabilize the cage humidity level a bit higher than the room itself. You can create drier and more humid cycles in the cage without having to flood the cage by too much spraying.

Yep, I agree completely. And if that wasn't coming across clear enough in my prior posts (both here and at other related threads) thank you for helping to clarify. That's how I use my humidifier. At night, while the furnace is running (I'm in Ohio - dry during the winter) to help increase general humidity levels, but never constantly. And it's usually only during the winter that it's necessary.