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Does anyone know a good way to set up an automated misting system? I have seen several commercial ones but they are all fairly weak (I need an 80 gallon misted). I attemped to use an aquarium pump (Via Aqua 2600) to pump water through a hose and into mister heads I got from an irrigation store but it failed miserably. Apparently the pump can lift the water high but doesnt have enough pressure to pump it through a mister head. If anyone can suggest a pump or an alternate method let me know.

Yes, I'm interested also. I made a humidifier using an aqua pump, tubing & a sealed bucket. I want to get a more powerful pump that can handle 1/2" tubing so I can use it to humidify 4 habitats.
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(¯`·.¸¸.·´ Kane `·.¸¸.·´¯)

I got the idea from the DIY section of ball-pythons.net
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(¯`·.¸¸.·´ Kane `·.¸¸.·´¯)

http://www.tetra-fish.com/ look at the pond pumps. I may try one.
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(¯`·.¸¸.·´ Kane `·.¸¸.·´¯)

Yeah I think I'm going to try the pond pumps since they have much more pressure. The cost is a bit more though and I'm still thinking if its worth it.

Please let me know more details about your set up once you get it working.

Thanks
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(¯`·.¸¸.·´ Kane `·.¸¸.·´¯)

The pond pumps are not going to create any more pressure, and your system is not going to work any better. You are thinking (as I once did) that Greater GPH=Greater Pressure. It doesn't. Flow does NOT equal Pressure.

The pumps that you are looking at are NOT designed to create pressure--especially in what amounts to a closed system. pressure will simply reduce flow rate--which is what u already experienced before.

They make pumps that are designed to create pressure, but I'm thinking their cost is out of this ball park.

My suggestions are these:

1) buy a commercial 5-gallon bucket system and forget about it,

Or

2) (what I did) T into a water line in your home--bathroom sink, kitchen sink, whatever. Use adapters to get from the T size to Icemaker tubing size--run your tubing wherever you need to, use adapters to get back to garden hose size, use one of the programmable waterhose timers (walmart, etc) for your automatic valve, use adapters back down to the size that you need for you misthead and then run it to and place your misthead. You won't find a better system for the money. And You are not going to generate better pressure from a pump. Plus expansion is wide-open---you can run a whole BUNCH of mistheads of that one setup.
The hardest part is coordinating/finding the adapters to go up and down to different sizes, because you will end up using both PVC and Brass. You should be able to find them all at one good hardware store though. Don't forget the teflon tape.

Example of the Garden hose Timer: http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=Products_2/Garden Center/Watering/Timers&BV_SessionID=@@@@0160990629.1085887371@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdfadclilfddhecgelceffdfgidgjj.0&MID=9876

If You want to use sprinkler cylinoids--then you can find a timer these days that will offer a min mist time as low as 6 seconds. In some cases, 1 minutes minimum is simply TOOOOO much water.

HTH

This URL may be easier to use:

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=36660-306-9400GF
Example: Gardenhose Timer

There are two basic design criteria that must be met to build a decent misting system. The pump must be able to create enough pressure and the nozzles have to have a low flow rate and the ability to atomize the water into a very fine particle. The higher the pressure, the better the mist. Aquarium and similar pumps can't produce the pressure required. If you multiply the TDH (total feet of head), which is the rating most pumps have, by 0.45, you will be able to detemine the approximate PSI of the pump. Better misting systems will have pumps able to develop pressures over 100 PSI (around 200 TDH)and you really need at least 75 PSI to get a truely small particle size assuming your nozzles are capable of this. Creating a particle size too small will result in a "fog" vs. a mist. If the particle is small enough, there can be the risk of respiratory problems with long term exposure. Too large a particle and you end up with a shower head, not a misting system. We have found that a 20 to 50 micron water particle does not pose any risks yet provides the surface area for fast evaporation and allows enough water to provide drops on surfaces for drinking and a simulated rain event. The flow rate is also important as too much water will end up flooding the cage during a misting cycle. Most nozzles available were designed to water vegetables at the local food store. The ratings are based on being operated at fairly cool tempertures. When these nozzles are placed in the top of a very warm enclosure, the materials (and orifice)expand and the nozzles end up with a much high output and particle size than their rating.
Without the correct pressure pump and a nozzle that will produce a 20 to 50 micron water particle at a low flow rate, you will not be able to achieve the desired results.

Bob Pound
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