Aqua Stone Humidifier

Sphagnum moss?

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Originally Posted by pbyeerts

Sphagnum moss?

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In post #6 I added a link to the moss I like.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Just looking at the reviews it looks like some are having a big issue with it growing mold. That would only occur faster in a heated environment like a snake tank.

I wouldn't try it. I will stick to moss.

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+1

Also, all humidifiers MUST be cleaned. Whether it's a cool mist one or warm from the pharmacy. Even if there are no signs of mold, they CAN grow and spread bacteria!

Because I am super cheap I tried an experiment based on the product linked in the OP.

I took a cheap generic synthetic sponge, brand new, and ran it through the dishwasher to make sure it was clean. A four pack of these is $1.50.

Then I dampened it and laid it in a clean plastic container with no lid. I put that into an empty 48"x38"x18" melamine enclosure under the RHP. The plastic container just was there to make sure the newspaper substrate lining the floor didn't turn into a sopping mess.

Humidity in the enclosure was a stable 35% while my house humidity is under 10% thanks to the heat pump and wood stove running full tilt at the moment.

If the sponge gets dirty it is easily cleaned and/or replaced.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Because I am super cheap I tried an experiment based on the product linked in the OP.

I took a cheap generic synthetic sponge, brand new, and ran it through the dishwasher to make sure it was clean. A four pack of these is $1.50.

Then I dampened it and laid it in a clean plastic container with no lid. I put that into an empty 48"x38"x18" melamine enclosure under the RHP. The plastic container just was there to make sure the newspaper substrate lining the floor didn't turn into a sopping mess.

Humidity in the enclosure was a stable 35% while my house humidity is under 10% thanks to the heat pump and wood stove running full tilt at the moment.

If the sponge gets dirty it is easily cleaned and/or replaced.

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so it worked well then? it looks interesting to me and honestly i wouldn't mind cleaning it out everyday or two or whatever

A porous product is super likely to harbour bacteria. Cleaning such a thing and actually killing the bacteria periodically would mean baking it and there is a huge chance it would have issues with the heat required. Knowing most disinfectants are neutralized by very small traces of organic materials it is unlikely a chemical system would work either.

It seems like more of an issue than it is worth. I live in a house that is below 22% RH all the time. Humidity is always just a balance between water surface area, water mass, and ventilation. I would suggest look at the way your enclosure vents (humid air rises FYI) and make sure you keep the humid air and allow the cool dry air to escape, increase the surface area (the point of the globe it increases the footprint with out increasing the surface area) and keep a larger water mass (a dish of water lasts longer than a misting... misting doesn't have enough volume) I have enclosures that at 83ºF ambient air temp hold 90%RH constant no misting, no fussing. Just a big water bowl and careful venting.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

A porous product is super likely to harbour bacteria. Cleaning such a thing and actually killing the bacteria periodically would mean baking it and there is a huge chance it would have issues with the heat required.

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Nope. Just need to boil it if its a concern, synthetic sponges hold up just fine. I wouldn't try it with a natural sponge though.

Heck pasteurization is heating to 170*F for 10 minutes, it works just fine for milk and you know that's loaded with bacteria.

Pasteurization and disinfection is a completely unrelated process. Milk goes bad even if you do not open it up, fully disinfected things rarely do, this is why people pickle, can, and bottle, food to preserve them for long periods of time.

I am sure that disinfection of an object in boiling water for the 15+ min under rolling boil will basically disinfect it. It seems like a lot of work for so little gain.

I don't understand why there are so many issues with humidity. Few seem to understand much about how it works and few also can't seem to bother to learn. A little research and some understanding makes the whole thing so much easier.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I don't understand why there are so many issues with humidity.

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Because the big box pet shops sell a "snake habitat starter kit" consisting of a glass fish tank, a screen top, and a heat lamp to unsuspecting newbies. They get everything home, set it all up, and don't want to switch to tubs or racks since they have so much time and money invested in it.

FWIW I made the same mistake.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Because the big box pet shops sell a "snake habitat starter kit" consisting of a glass fish tank, a screen top, and a heat lamp to unsuspecting newbies. They get everything home, set it all up, and don't want to switch to tubs or racks since they have so much time and money invested in it.

FWIW I made the same mistake.

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Oh yeah. And my T8 should be shipping any day now.