this was a thread i posted last year when i got my mistking system at another site. since this young forum allready has a couple threads asking about misting systems i thought id try and help get some of the basic Qs out of the way and post this here.
well i broke down and decided to get a "real" misting system instead of trying to piece one together DiY style. i was searching on a budget so i decided to go with the 55psi model from
www.mistking.com . this system is isolated and will never be able to be hooked to another system, so i figured id save the $$ and go with the smaller pump. in making my decision i had quite a few emails back and forth to Marty. he was very helpful, he always returned my emails promptly, and always had the right answers
i paid for the system on saturday, and to my suprise got a confirmation pretty early monday morning that is was shipped out.
even more to my suprise this little box came to me yesterday (3 business days after ordering). the box was much smaller than i thought it should be, but none the less i was still excited
heres a shot of the box with a lighter for size comparison.
small right?
well it was all in there! packaged really nice and neat. all was very stable with just the right amount of bubble wrap in the perfect size box.
i took everything out and made sure i had everything i needed. i had to run to HD and get a storage container, and wanted to make sure i wasnt going to need anything else.
i decided to get a couple of 1/4" elbows to make running the lines a little easier. it was definatly not neccesary, but i like the way it looks with them.
i went to HD and got a 60 qt storgae container (~16x24) and drill bits, to drill it for the bulkhead, and a drill bit for drilling the acrylic to mount the nozzles.
for those who need the sizes:
A 1/2" bit is used for the nozzles, and a 7/8" bit is used for the bulkhead. i dont have much in the way of tools and a lot of my drill bits came from my grandmothers house and were pretty rustd. i felt a lot better getting a couple of new $3 bits for peace of mind. i usedregular paddle bits for both aplpications.
when i got home i drilled the storage container and put the bulkhead in. it was a cinch. the gasket that came with the bulkhead was really thick. i guessed since its advertised that it can convert a standard bucket, that it would be fine with the slight curve of the storage container i chose. it worked fine with no leaks, so i put it in place, a put about 6 gallons of RO in.
next i drilled then cut the acrylic. i didnt have my work tools, so i had to use a 60s style jig saw. it wouldnt go slow enough and burned the acrylic pretty bad. i used the pieces any way. they worked they just arent pretty.
i mounted the nozzles to them and dropped them in. i used tape to secure them and make sure no flies could get out around them.
also not very pretty
but functional :lol:
i had to redo my screen lids to have them fit properly.
they made a nice smooth fit once i redid them. it took all of 10 minutes to change the size. i placed the screens, then ran the hose from the top (nozzles) down to the bottom (pump) then cut off the access. i used an elbow next to the nozzles to make the turn sharp enough to be able to remove the screen lid easily.
next i tried them out
one thing i was always wondering about is
how big are the nozzles? well to answer any one else who has this question: they are incredibly small compared to how they show in pictures. i wanted the deluxe model nozzles, and was worried they would be bigger (with the extra elbow and all). i was totally suprised at how small and concealable they were.
i was concerned with coverage and concealing them , which is why i went with the deluxe models. i figured i may be able to find a way to bend the deluxe models right up to the top of the screen and still be able to aim them farily well. i was right
heres a shot to show just how small the deluxe nozzles are.
amazingly small IMO.
and then you can configure then to be very low profile. with this shot i tried to line the end of the lighter up with where the nozzle attaches to the acrylic. with the camera angle i dont know if it came out perfect, but it sure gives the idea.
here they are in place (looking up from the front)
then with the canopy back on, they are barely nocticable while standing looking at the tank. looking at the tank from the couch (sitting and about 12' away) you can see them, but they dont obstruct any view.
the set up was fool proof. it didnt even come with directions it was so simple. using the compression fittings really makes it a cinch. all i had to do was drill three holes and slip fit all the hose into place. i hand tightened the bulkhead and it held water. i put a half turn on it with a wrench just for comfort, but i doubt you would want to overtighten this huge gasket. it could easily cause a leak if over tightened. so for a basically tool less setup (pending your top design) this is a super easy set up. with the mods to my lids, the trip to HD and the installation i had about 1.5 hours in the project.
i hope this helps anyone who is thinking about a misting system. over the last year and a half or so my plants did much better under constant misting. im getting ready to hook the system up to 8 more tanks. i dont know if misting will have any effect on day gecko breeding, ut ill let you know if it does
the only frogs ive got wihtout automated misting are my vetns and they are starting to breed, so if it hasd any negative effect (i cant imagine that) on them, ill report that also. otherwise id say this is a sound investment if for nothing other than plants.
my mistking system
Linear Mode
