How to Build a Reptile Misting System
Reptiles require a humid environment in captivity. If a reptile is housed in conditions that are not humid enough, the animal will constantly lose water when it exhales and through its skin. Reptiles that lose water in this manner can become severely dehydrated. The humidity in their terrarium or enclosure is created and maintained by using a misting system. Although misting systems are available commercially, reptile enthusiasts can make their own with very little equipment.
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Things You'll Need
- 10-gallon plastic bucket
- Chlorine neutralizer
- Plastic stick
- 50-watt aquarium heater
- Mini aquarium submersible pump
- Small tube of 100 percent nontoxic silicone sealer
- 2 pieces of irrigation tube, 2 inches long, 1/4-inch diameter
- 3 feet of 1/4-inch diameter irrigation tube
- Plastic in-line T-piece
- Plastic in-line tap
- Irrigation mist nozzle
- Electrical timer
Instructions
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1
Add chlorine neutralizer to a 10-gallon plastic bucket of tap water. Use a plastic stick to stir vigorously for a few minutes. Place the bucket behind the reptile terrarium or enclosure.
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2
Smear a teaspoonful of 100 percent nontoxic silicone sealer around the inside circumference of the reducer tube that comes with a mini submersible pump. Push this reducer tube into the exhaust nozzle of the pump and leave the silicone to cure for 24 hours.
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3
Set the thermostat of a 50-watt aquarium heater for 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the heater in the 10-gallon bucket and plug it into a wall power source. Turn on the heater.
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4
Push one end of a 2-inch-long piece of 1/4-inch irrigation tube into the reducer tube. Smear a pea-sized amount of 100 percent nontoxic silicone sealer around the joint to secure the irrigation tube in the reducer tube. Allow the silicone to cure for 24 hours.
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5
Push one end of a plastic in-line T-piece into the 2-inch-long piece of 1/4-inch irrigation tube.
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6
Place a plastic in-line tap onto a second 2-inch-long, 1/4-inch diameter piece of irrigation tube. Push the free end of this second 2-inch-long, 1/4-inch diameter piece of irrigation tube into one of the remaining two outlets of the T-piece
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7
Push a 3-foot-long piece of 1/4-inch diameter irrigation tube onto the remaining outlet of the T-piece.
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8
Push the free end of the 3-foot-long, 1/4-inch diameter piece of tube over a mist spray nozzle. Place the nozzle into the reptile terrarium or enclosure.
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9
Set an electrical timer to run for three minutes every three to four hours. Plug the mini submersible pump into an electrical timer.
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Plug the timer into a wall power source and turn it on.
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11
Open the plastic in-line tap to adjust the amount of water being pumped to the mist nozzle. The in-line tap channels extra water directly back to the bucket.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Reptile image by Sader from Fotolia.com
