new member looking for advise on misting system

[aquanut415]

i was looking at this one by mistking

Misting System with Regular Nozzles
MistKing :: Misting Systems :: Regular Nozzles :: Misting System with Regular Nozzles

any feedback? anyone using this setup? or anyone got one that they recommend?

thank you

[Restrepia]

Can I just ask what you are intending to grow in your terrarium? My reasons for this are that some orchids prefer higher humidity than others. I would probably stay away from an automatic misting system if I was growing a lot of Paphs in a terrarium as you would probably find that with some additional base cover placed in the bottom of the terrarium, this would be sufficient for humidity of 50% - 60%.

If you are intending to stock your terrarium with orchids from higher altitudes then you would be wise to install automatic spray system especially if your collection is going to consist of mounted plants.

I cannot advise you as to the mistking system, but I have just ordered one of the Super Rain Mist Systems and will be installing it into one of my own growing cases as a trial. When it arrives and I have it running I will feed back.

[Ross]

I sort of agree with Restrepia. It depends on the environment you are striving for. I grow in a semi-sealed large terrarium and need/want to maintain 90+ percent humidity but don't want overly wet plants and mold. I use the MistKing system but I use the delux nozzles - they have more adjustments and are worth the few pennies difference. I also use the deluxe pump because I don't want any chances of break down or problems if the reservoir runs dry. I am growing Bulbos, Cischwenfias and Dendros in pots besides several spp mounted and hanging and none have had rot or mold problems. I use the interval timer Mist King sells and it's set for 5 seconds mist every 4 hours during day cycle and no mist at night. I also run a small (3") PC fan 24/7 inside the tank directly onto the plants to help dry off excess moisture. In answer to your question, yes I use this system and I like it a lot (as well as the service.)

[aquanut415]

thanks guy for the responses...

a little info on the terrarium... its been setup for about 2 years. all the orchids are fairly warm growers, and are mounted on cork bark. i picked up the majority of the plants from Andy's Orchids booth at the POE between 2005-2007. All the plants were hand selected by Andy himself after we spoke about what i was trying achieve.

Im thinking that the mist will offer multiple benefits;
1. reduced need of manual watering
2. increased humidity
3. keeps the glass clean for better visibility

according to Andy, all the orchids can tolerate at least daily watering... the tank is no larger than 10 gallons so my guess is i can probably get away with 2 misters...

so here are my next 2 questions..
what rating (gph) are the pumps that are sold with the mistking kit that i showed the link to earlier?

and lastly... how much depth of water do the pumps need to operate?

thanks again.

[Ross]

Whew! So complicated. Firstly, welcome. I forgot to welcome you to this wonderful board.

Second, If Andy recommends a plant follow his recommendations - he know his stuff. Most of mine come from him.

Next, misting MAY reduce the need to water. Consider the following, though. The only water to run through a fine mister like MistKing is RO or distilled or rain water. Period. No city or well water at all. The orifice is way to small to tolerate any buildup. Therefore the next point:

Next point: RO/distilled/rain water contains no fertilizer nutrients and can, in time, actually leach away any built up nutrients (like a sort of solvent). So you will have to dunk the mounts in fertilizer solution at least once per week (I do it twice per week.)

GPH for pumps? I have no clue but VERY low. I run mine (3 mist heads) 4-5 times per day for 5 seconds each and fill the 5-gallon reservoir about every other week or so. Probably not even that often.

How much depth? The pump sits outside reservoir. I use a 5-gallon drywall pail like you can get at Home Depot. There are instructions to drill the hole on the web site. I purchased the pump, 3 nozzles, tubing, bulkhead fitting for reservoir all from MistKing. Really easy to set up and instructions are spot-on.

Glass will only be clear if you follow MistKing's recommendations for pure water (RO, distilled, rainwater, etc.)

Like I said with my regime humidity never drops below 90% and is often up to 98-99% in portions of the tank.

See the following for my setup http://www.orchidboard.com/Setting-u...om-Orchidarium

[aquanut415]

hmm.. thanks for that info about the need for RO/distilled water...

in SF we have VERY soft water. with most hobby test kits i measure KH and GH at 0 degrees hardness, and our TDS is very low as well. i measure regularly cause i keep planted aquariums and soft water with very low TDS is highly desireable...

do they state a value at which they think the water must be at in terms of TDS to operate without clogging?

[Ross]

Be sure your source of water. Get a report from utilities dept for your city. If water source is RO or mix of RO/saltware like some coastal comunities, you have problems. So first thing is check your water before you even start.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by aquanut415

i measure regularly cause i keep planted aquariums and soft water with very low TDS is highly desireable...

Planted aquariums are NOT a good measure. I used to do aquariums too, and I often added salt to help the fish - din't hurt the plants. It will KILL orchids - plain and simple!

[aquanut415]

i never add salt.. there are no fish in my aquariums.. only plants.
i only add KNO3, at about 1/16th tsp per 20gall per week and fertilize with pressurizec co2... i use the water from WC's to water all my houseplants, they all seem to really like it, including the orchids.

[aquanut415]

References

here is a water quality report from a few years back... ive compared this one to more recent ones and they are nearly identical, however now we treat our water with chloramine.