Humidifier

[Tobi]

Looking for a humidifier for my 4 season room where the 'chids reside.
One of the local growers suggested a ultra sonic one. He directed me
to the AOS for getting one (about $200.00) Has anyone ever used one
and any other suggestions?

[Vivienne]

WOW - that's a loaded question. How big is the space? Do you need to heat or cool your room? How often do you want to refill? Or do you have water access that can be connected to the humidifier??

[Tobi]

Hi Vivienne,
The room is 18 x 24. It already has a cooling and heating unit separate from the rest of the house. I guess I would have to refill whenever depending on the unit I get. No water
access in the room itself.

[jay]

Wow, thats a pricy humidifier.

I am looking for some as well. I think I just need to move into a house that I can have a greenhouse!

Now, if I could only convince my fiance of that.

[jbigio]

I have one I got at walmart 35.00 hold about 5 gallons I fill it once a day its in a room about 10 x 12 keeps it at about 60% two should work work for you depending on the temp, $70 is better then $200
joe

[Tobi]

From what I understand, the ultrasonic units use a metal diaphram which vibrates at
an untrasonic frequency to create water droplets. They are quite silent and produce
a cool fog which would mimic the cultural conditions that some of my high altitude
orchids would need. They have low energy costs, but do have some concerns.
One is that if the water becomes stagnant, they will spray any bacteria it contains
into your surroundings. The more expensive units have antibacterial features built in
using ultraviolet light to kill the bacteria. The other concern is minerals in the water.
If your water contains a lot of minerals, it will spray them as dust. Once again, the
higher priced ones have a demineralization cartridge that filters minerals out of the
water to prevent the dust. They also recommend using distilled water to help
eliminate this problem. Fortunately, I work in a lab, so I have access to as much
distilled water as I need. Thus the expense in a unit such as this.

[Tony]

Tobi

I found that the deminieralization cartridge only works so, so. I can also attest that regular tap water will create quite a layer of white dust in no time. The best kind if you can even find them anymore, is the kind with a pad that soaks up the water and fan blows through it. Just need to wash it out about once a week. Had one years ago but it died. Never found another one like it. Sears used to sell one with a pad on a drum that would spin and the fan would blow through that.

Otherwise use distilled water. Tony

[articuno75]

I'm looking into getting a cheapy one at Wal-Mart for about $25. If your worried about the minerals, then use the distilled water. As for the bacteria threat, as long as the humidifer is kept clean, it shouldn't be a problem. It would be no different as if you were to use it for yourself. Just be sure to change the filters.

[kmarch]

About 3 years ago (in the US) I had a Vornado humidifier that had jug resivores at each end, a pan at the bottom, large wicks on either side, and a fan at the top. It sucked air in through the wet wicks on the side and blew it out the top. I used it for about a year and a half and it was probably the best humidifier I have had. If you helf your hand over the output for a minute it felt damp. It was great and it also had a cooling effect which was appreciated durign the hot months.

[Tobi]

Thanks all for your input. I appreciate it.

[Sam_Smith]

Its used in chicken coops, printing rooms, storage spaces, and a whole bunch of other places. Its an atomizing humidifier it throws water at a bunch of small flat surfaces and blows the atomized water out the front, the maker is jaybird, thay are kinda expensive but will humidify a very large area very quickly.
I have it setup with a timer and a humidistat, the timer is on only in the day and the humidistat maintains about 50% during that time, I have a medium sized fountain pump set up in a bucket to supply the foger with rain water. I have to wait till tomorrow to post pics though. You can probably find some pictures online though.

Sam.

[Tobi]

Thanks for the info Sam. I'll check it out.

[Sam_Smith]

In the first one you can see the cloud its throwing out, the particles are not as small as those ultrasonic foggers make so some do fall out of the cloud, thats why I have it over my tray, if its on to long it tends to make the floor wet. I have two plants hanging in the mists path, so they get fogged every 40 minutes or so. One picture shows the bucket I have my little fountain pump in to supply the fogger with rain water.

Sam.

[PhalPal]

I bought one at Target a few months ago for $50. It is called 'Quiet Care Cool Moisture System.' It is supposed to filter bacteria and minerals and I don't have any white dust everywhere. What I don't like is that I have to fill the water tank everyday, but it does run a lot. Also, I cannot get my humidity above 50% no matter what I do. I'd like to know if a more expensive unit would do a better job??

[Normkp]

Originally Posted by kmarch

About 3 years ago (in the US) I had a Vornado humidifier that had jug resivores at each end, a pan at the bottom, large wicks on either side, and a fan at the top. It sucked air in through the wet wicks on the side and blew it out the top. I used it for about a year and a half and it was probably the best humidifier I have had. If you helf your hand over the output for a minute it felt damp. It was great and it also had a cooling effect which was appreciated durign the hot months.

I found a Vornado Model 30 2-Gallon for $50 online at Marbeck. Vornado Model 30 2-Gallon Multi-Room Humidifier from MarBeck.com filter From Kevin's description it sounds like the same model.

[Normkp]

You can also find the 4.2 gallon Voronados for $70.