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Why exactly do most terrarium keepers insist on their tanks being consistently humid? Is it important for plant growth, or more specifically, tropical plant growth or is it just because misted tanks are more attractive? I've been thinking about this subject for a few days and would like your opinions please. Also, I would like to know how often you guys mist your own tanks.
__________________ That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Misting is necessary for plant growth, depending on the environment you are trying to sustain. It depends on the plants and the requirements of the animals humidity wise. Tropical tanks are generally going to be pretty humid, but temperate tanks will sometimes need to be even wetter (to the dripping point).
I only mist my anoles (for their water). Otherwise I use humidifiers, and I keep them running 24/7, unless I notice the substrate retaining too much water.
How do you know if the substrate is too wet? Is there supposed to be a dry period for the soil?
You'd think that I'd know the answers to these questions after keeping a vivarium for about year now...
__________________ That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
I think it all depends on what you're keeping in the tank, both plants and animals. As far as plants, some species like to dry out between waterings, whereas some like to sit in water all the time. Still others prefer not to get wet at all and thrive on moisture in the air. Humidity in general keeps plants from dessication by preventing transpiration through the leaves- different plants have different tolerances and adaptations to dry air. Different animals will have different habitats as well, of course- amphibians run the same risk of dessication as plants due to a highly porous skin, whereas many reptiles thrive in desert environments.
__________________
Aaron
Selling my collection for a plane ticket to Ecuador- PM for details.
a humidifier is what we use to make a home made fogger. a mister provides a mist or spray whereas a fogger provides a fog. the difference is the look and the grain size of the water as well as how long it can stay suspended in the air.
in some situations people want one or the other for the look. for some species it's better to have the larger particles and simulate rain to induce breeding in certain species. in other cases like many chameleons the idea is fresh, moist air. in such cases it's necessary sometimes depending on local climate to add humidity to the air itself being added to the habitat. to keep humid air in an open net habitat without soaking the ground and having water spilling out all the time it's necessary to suspend the moisture longer... henceforth fog.
for the most part it's just as aaron said... the humidity level required for your particular species... and then you choose how to go about keeping that level.
Thanks Beckdg!
In that case, I want a fogger. Is there a reputable brand fogger which is user friendly? I have had no problem finding misters, but foggers are another case completely!
You'll do best to get a humidifier that you plumb out to go into the tank. In tank foggers are notorious for burning out or electrocuting animals. The one I use is small and works well. It is a travel humidifier from walgreens. It was ~$25, and I have 3 of them. It is very easy to plumb, with a round opening that holds a removable spout. You can either shrink flexible tubing onto the end of the spout or plumb it with PVC. This model doesn't have a built in reservior. It says to use a 20oz bottle, but I use a one liter bottle. The unit shuts off when it runs out of water, so there is no worry of it burning out.
There are some larger units that have been recommended, there is a sticky in the equipment forum that goes over one model and how the fellow plumbed it, I definitely recommend that you check it out.
I also came across another small travel humidifier, but it has a small reservoir. At only $8 (if I remember correctly), I think it would be perfect for those of us that want to run one sporadically, maybe on a timer. I think the opening may have been square, but if one were to use flexible tubing, you could fit some into a square opening with little problems.
Thanks much, frogsong! I'll check it out, I think even I can do this!!!
BTW since you seem extremely knowledgable, can I use flex aluminum as a streambed for dart poisons without toxicity problems? It won't be bare aluminum, it will have aquarium sealant thinly dispersed with aquarium gravel dusting it!
Misting
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