DIY: Automated Mist for a Terrarium

An automated mist for a terrarium can mean life or death for the living creatures that inhabit it. If you have a busy schedule, there may be times when things get so hectic that you forget to mist your terrarium. Most plants and reptiles need the mist to provide humidity and moisture to survive. Eliminate one thing from your daily checklist by making an automated system. Automated systems run on a timer and need to be refilled only once every week.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Utility knife
• Water pump
• Ice pick
• 3/16-inch-diameter mist spouts (12)
• Water bottle
• Automatic timer outlet

Instructions

1. Measure the dimensions of your terrarium using a tape measure. For example, your terrarium is 24-by-12-by-12-inches.

2. Cut a quarter-inch hose to a 50-inch length using a utility knife. Calculate the length by adding the terrarium length, width and height. Add additional two inches to adjust for the connection to the water pump.

3. Cut 12 one-eighth-inch holes into the end of the quarter-inch hose using an ice pick. The holes should be smaller than the diameters of the mist spouts to create a tight fit. Space the holes two inches apart. Insert 12 three-sixteenth-inch-diameter mist spouts into the holes. The mist spouts spray mist into the terrarium.

4. Place the hose into the bottom of the terrarium. The spouts should face upward. Pull the excess hose over the inside wall of the terrarium. Cut a quarter-inch hole into the cover of the terrarium using a utility knife.

5. Pull the excess hose through the hole and along the outside wall of the terrarium. Connect the end of the hose to the output hole of the water pump. Fill a water bottle with water. Insert the input hose of the water pump to a water bottle.

6. Insert the electrical cord into the electrical socket of an automatic timer outlet. Set the timer for 30-minute intervals every 4 hours. Insert the electrical cord of the automatic timer outlet into the wall outlet.

7. Press the power button on the water pump. The timer provides electricity to the water pump. The water pumps mists the terrarium for 30 minutes every 4 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the settings and intervals depending on the type of plants and reptiles that live in the terrarium. Different plants and reptiles need specific types of moisture levels.

• Adjust the length of the hose depending on the dimensions of your terrarium.