Posted by:
chris_harper2
at Mon Oct 25 09:32:30 2004 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by chris_harper2 ]
>>To build your system you need to work backwards. First you need to determine the head pressure or PSI to operate your desired system.
And the desired system is also often overlooked. When someone builds a DIY misting/rain system they need to start with water droplet size.
In general a SMALLER water droplet size will mean the following:
1) More significant evaporative cooling effect (can be good or bad depending on the species).
2) Less water left behind on cage furnishings (bad for species that only drink water droplets).
3) Much less water build up on floor of cage
4) Mist heads need to be replaced more often
5) Reverse osmosis or distilled water often necessary.
6) Seems to cause stress to certain species, especially snakes.
7) Better at raising humidity in a cage with minimal furnishings.
In general LARGER water droplets will mean the following:
1) Much less evaporative cooling effect
2) Less stressful for certain species (such as snakes which often will start striking at super fine mists).
3) Better at inducing defecation (especially in arboreal snakes)
4) Leaves more water behind for drinking
5) A huge amount of water is often used and systems to deal with the water build up are necessary (such as floor drains).
6) Cheaper mist heads and pumps can be used.
7) RO or distilled water not absolutely necessary.
Water droplet size occurs along a continuum, obviously, and one needs to consider the tradeoffs. It's usually best to find out what more advanced hobbyists have used for a particular species and find out the characteristics of that system.
I can tell you that a lot of species really seem to do well under larger water droplets and these are the easiest systems to build yourself. But they do go through a tremendous amount of water and the excess water needs to be dealt with. Moreover, if the system fails while one is away for a weekend the results can be disasterous.
There are no easy answers here.
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Current snakes:
1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)
3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)
2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)
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Excellent post (depends on the species) - chris_harper2, Mon Oct 25 09:32:30 2004