automated watering system

[lily99]

I have had a Grand Caymen orchidarium about one year. I like it, but I keep forgetting to water the plants enough. Can anyone recommend an automated watering system?

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by lily99

I have had a Grand Caymen orchidarium about one year. I like it, but I keep forgetting to water the plants enough. Can anyone recommend an automated watering system?

I'm not sure that automated watering per se is a practical idea, but a misting system might be a good idea for you. The owner of this board, Marty, produces the MistKing products, which is what I and many others with large enclosures use. One very nice feature is that the electronic timer that comes with it is a seconds timer, rather than just minutes. For instance I currently have mine, with 3 nozzles, set up to mist for 25 seconds, 7 times daily. It has worked flawlessly for me since I bought it about a year and half ago.

MistKing Misting Systems by Jungle Hobbies Ltd

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[tropterrarium]

I use the mistking system on both my 90 gal intermediate and 180 gal warm terraria. I usually run the misters for about 3 minutes every other day, then use an ultrasonic fogger to maintain humidity. While the electrical timers work ok for regular schedules, I prefer the DigitalAquatics Herpkeeper system, which has a much more sophisticated timer and and also a humidity sensor. Either are not cheap, but way cheaper than my orchids!

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[lily99]

Are the mistking misters easy to install? I assume I would need to drill a hole in the top to install the nozzles. Do I need to drill a hole in the bottom to drain water out?

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[tropterrarium]

Originally Posted by lily99

Are the mistking misters easy to install? I assume I would need to drill a hole in the top to install the nozzles. Do I need to drill a hole in the bottom to drain water out?

I think it is pretty easy. I use the Greenhouse nozzles, so fix them to a rail system in the terrarium using zip ties. If you want to install the premium kind, yes, you drill holes. Not sure whether your enclosure is glass or plexi. Plexi is easy, glass is not that difficult either, but be 100% sure that you do NOT have tempered glass. Tempered glass will shatter when you attempt to drill it.

Re drain, in my 90 gal I have no drain, and it is in a steady state. The 180 gal has a drain, but with minimal outflow (say 1 gal per month). It will depend on your surroundings and how much you use the misters. Sorry, no straight answer. It all just depends.

[Bud]

look into Mist King. I heard it is the best.