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160 vs 1000 psi misting/fogging system for GH?

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by DanielG, Apr 2, 2018.

  1. Apr 2, 2018 #1
    DanielG

    DanielG New Member

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    I am putting together a new 450 sqft GH in Santa Barbara CA, for intermediate botanical mounted species. I am thinking about maintaining rather high humidity in the GH. I see three options and wonder about pros/cons.
    - Ultrasonic foggers. Most likely not producing enough mist/fog even with say 4 units of 5-head foggers.
    - Mistking 160 PSI system. Could work, as under bench misters, but if I try place do some also under the ridge line, I am concerned about water droplets on plants and rot.
    - 1000 PSI system. I think this is what institutional greenhouses use. I am looking at High Pressure Misting Kit 1000 PSI - Flexible and that may work on a smaller home GH. Or is this complete overkill?
    Any experiences with any of those systems? Alternatives? Recommendations?
     
  2. Apr 2, 2018 #2
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Years ago I had underbench misters that were run on a thermostat and timer. They worked OK, but not for really high humidity. For the past few years I have used this ultrasonic misting system. I got the first one in May of 2013 and then added as I upgraded other greenhouses. The model I use is MHS3. I have 3 of them and really like what they do. When I got the first one, I had 2 of the stainless steel discs in it, but now just use one in each. You can add more if you want and have up to 4 in one unit, but that would be overkill. They do take some maintainence and occassional repair, but they are quite simple and easy to work on. 2 of my greenhouses are about 20 x 20 and 13 feet at the peak. I try to keep about 75 to 80% RH. I use the humidstat that they sell.
     
  3. Apr 2, 2018 #3
    DanielG

    DanielG New Member

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    Hi Marni, that is a very interesting option, and looks like less likely to clog up compared to a 1000 psi system. How many of them do you have in one 20x20 GH? Have gotten the smaller foggers from them for my terraria and they work very well.
     
  4. Apr 2, 2018 #4
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I use one box per greenhouse. If you want more humidity, add another mister unit to that box. Those are the Item: DK12H; Ultrasonic mist maker. I use RO water in mine (and my swamp coolers) because the city water has a lot of sodium. There is no orifice to clog. The unit doesn't go in the greenhouse. I have 2 of mine under a little makeshift lean-tos. The other is inside a shed that one of the greenhouses is attached to.
     
  5. May 14, 2018 #5
    dex356

    dex356 Active Member

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    Hi Daniel... I have both a 1000psi fogger and the MHB12 unit, a smaller version that Marni uses... I have stopped using the Fogger in my main greenhouse, 10x20, and use the MHB12 full time... I highly recommend them! I have LOTS of mounted plants, mostly pleurothallids, Lepanthes... Constant 70%... My Orchids are much happier and growing more difficult orchids that need higher humidity are doing great... You may be happier with the smaller MHB12 unit, the one Marnie uses puts out 6 times more fog....
     
  6. Jun 26, 2018 #6
    cathy

    cathy Member

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    Good discussion, that is exactly what I want for my 14 x 24 greenhouse here in Asheville, NC. Moved my favorite orchids up here last year and want to make their life wonderful.