How to Use an Aquarium Pump for a Misting Fan

Captive reptiles and amphibians need a humid environment. Reptiles lose fluids through their skin and will dehydrate if their environment is not humid enough. Reptile owners will typically use a misting system to maintain the correct humidity in a vivarium or terrarium. Misting systems are commercially available, but you can make your own by using a small aquarium pump and irrigation tubing.

Things You'll Need

  • 5 gallon plastic bucket
  • 8 fluid ounce chlorine neutralizer
  • 25 watt aquarium heater
  • 2 4-inch long, 1/4-inch diameter irrigation tubes
  • Non-toxic silicone sealer
  • Mini aquarium submersible pump and reducer tube
  • 3 1/2 foot of 1/4-inch diameter irrigation tube
  • Plastic in-line T-piece
  • Plastic in-line tap or clamp
  • Irrigation mist nozzle
  • Terrarium or vivarium
  • Electrical timer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Add a half teaspoon of aquarium chlorine remover to a 5-gallon plastic bucket of tap water. Use a glass or plastic rod to stir the water vigorously for a minute. Position the bucket below or behind the reptile terrarium or vivarium.

    • 2

      Set a 50 watt aquarium heater to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and put the heater into the 5-gallon bucket. Plug the heater into a power source and turn the heater on.

    • 3

      Squeeze a quarter teaspoon of non-toxic silicone around the inside surface of the reducer tube supplied with a mini submersible pump. Push this reducer tube over the outflow nozzle of the pump. Place the pump on one side to allow the silicone to dry for a day.

    • 4

      Place one end of a 4-inch long piece of 1/4-inch irrigation tubing into a bowl of very hot water. Remove the irrigation tubing after a minute and push this end into the reducer tube. Squeeze a pea size amount of non-toxic silicone sealer over the joint. Place the reducer tube and irrigation tubing on one side to allow the silicone to cure for twenty-four hours.

    • 5

      Push the free end of the 4-inch long piece of 1/4-inch irrigation tube, over one arm of a plastic in-line T-piece.

    • 6

      Push a plastic in-line aquarium tap into a second 4-inch long, 1/4-inch diameter piece of irrigation tube. Push the free end of this second 4-inch long, 1/4-inch diameter piece of irrigation tube into the second arm of the T-piece

    • 7

      Push a 3 1/2-foot long piece of 1/4-inch diameter irrigation tube over the third arm of the T-piece.

    • 8

      Push a mist spray nozzle into the free end of the 3 1/2-foot long, 1/4-inch diameter piece of tubing. Secure the mist spray nozzle in the vivarium or terrarium, preferably near the top. Angle the nozzle to deliver water over at least half of the enclosure.

    • 9

      Set an electrical timer to operate for 30 seconds every half hour. Plug the mini submersible pump into the electrical timer and plug the timer into a power source.

    • 10

      Place the submersible pump into the 5-gallon bucket and turn on the pump. Adjust the plastic in-line tap to determine the amount of water pumped to the mist nozzle. The in-line tap will channel excess water back to the bucket.