spyralout's DIY Fogger Tote Humidifier

[spyralout]

My quest for a humidifier for VPD purposes started with trying to find a unit which would hold more water than the little half gallon cool mist I have. After trying a unit with a bigger reservoir and not seeing any difference in humidity (along with it being cumbersome to remove from the base to refill, poorly constructed/designed, etc), I decided to go the DIY route. It costs more than a typical humidifier but the amount of humidity (fog) produced is on a totally different level, and the flexibility in customization (automation!) to fit your grow is a big plus. I stumbled upon some solid quality fogger units from this company:

The House of Hydro- Ultrasonic Mist Makers and Fogger Accessories

The House of Hydro is the world's leading supplier of Mist Maker equipment and humidification accessories. Your go-to source for Ultrasonic foggers, humidification, special effects, mycology, and more.

thehouseofhydro.com

Inspired by one of their videos, I bought a 3-head unit and made a fogger tote humidifier to suit the 5x5 tent.

Parts List:
- 3 Disc Mist Maker Starter Kit - House of Hydro - (3 head Ultrasonic Mist Maker - Fog machine Pond Water fogger humidifier fountain | eBay)
- 80MM Waterproof Computer Fan - Cooler Guys - Coolerguys 80mm (80x80x25) High Speed IP67 12v Fan CG8025H12-IP67
- 3-pin Manual Variable Speed Controller - Coolerguys Power Supply (1A) & Manual 12V DC Variable Speed controller
- screws for fan - I used long ones that just screwed into the lid
- 18 Gallon Hefty Tote with Lid - https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-HI-Rise-18-Gallon-72-Quart-Grey-Green-Tote-with-Latching-Lid/1000461763
- HydroLogic 1/4" Quick Connect RO Water Float - Don't cheap out on this! It's the weakest link in the system. My local hydro store had it a bit cheaper than Amazon. (Optional: no need for this if you intend on filling the tote manually)
- 1/4" Quick Connect RO Y-Splitter and Valves (Optional)
- 1-1/4" - 1-1/2" Sump Pump Drainage Kit - Prinsco Plastic Discharge Hose Kit 1-1/4 in. Dia. x 24 ft. L - Ace Hardware - Make sure it has two fittings. One will have a bigger threaded end, but it reduces down to where the barbed ends will be the same size to fit the included flex hose.
- Inkbird Humidity Controller (not pictured below) - Inkbird Humidifier & dehumidifier humidity control 110-240V Meat Food Storage US | eBay (I caught this on sale and saved over $5)

Tools
- Cordless Drill
- 7/16" Drill Bit (for float valve)
- Hole Saws
- 1-1/2" for the 1-1/4" fitting
- 1-3/4" for the 1-1/2" fitting
- 2-1/2" for the fan port




Cut the hoses to the desired length, preferably having both hoses the same length.

Notice how the fan and fittings are placed. The fan fits on the middle rails perfectly. Slide it back to the lip. Make a line to use as a reference so you can center up and drill a hole using the 2-1/2" hole saw. Place the fan back on (making sure it blows into the tote, this fan was label down) and screw it onto the lid. Proceed with drilling the holes for the barb fittings.



The smaller holes allow for a tight fit. Push and twist the fittings in about halfway. If you go too far, it could fall into the tote.


Install the float however high you'd like. Higher means more capacity, but you don't want it too high where water could splash out.


The RO line to the RO collection can got split off to the fogger tote. The fogger plugs into the Inkbird Humidity Controller (not pictured). It's then put into the tote of water and floats. House of Hydro recommends having a minimum of 15 PPM, so the RO water was cut with tap water. This would be the only manual part in this system, which would require very minimal attention.


Fit the hoses through the same openings as the epi bucket pipes. These will be covered up with some cloths.

Works great so far. An improvement that I can see is to seal the edges where the lid fits onto the tote, because some fog escapes. Not a big deal, but an improvement opportunity nonetheless. I also adjusted where the fogger unit was floating in the tote to more of the middle vs the edge. The fog was more evenly distributed between the two hoses (this was done after the video below).

In action:

View attachment fogger-tote-1.mp4
View attachment fogger-tote-2.mp4

View attachment fogger-tote-3.mp4

 

[jaguarlax]

My quest for a humidifier for VPD purposes started with trying to find a unit which would hold more water than the little half gallon cool mist I have. After trying a unit with a bigger reservoir and not seeing any difference in humidity (along with it being cumbersome to remove from the base to refill, poorly constructed/designed, etc), I decided to go the DIY route. It costs more than a typical humidifier but the amount of humidity (fog) produced is on a totally different level, and the flexibility in customization (automation!) to fit your grow is a big plus. I stumbled upon some solid quality fogger units from this company:

The House of Hydro- Ultrasonic Mist Makers and Fogger Accessories

The House of Hydro is the world's leading supplier of Mist Maker equipment and humidification accessories. Your go-to source for Ultrasonic foggers, humidification, special effects, mycology, and more.

thehouseofhydro.com

Inspired by one of their videos, I bought a 3-head unit and made a fogger tote humidifier to suit the 5x5 tent.

Parts List:
- 3 Disc Mist Maker Starter Kit - House of Hydro - (3 head Ultrasonic Mist Maker - Fog machine Pond Water fogger humidifier fountain | eBay)
- 80MM Waterproof Computer Fan - Cooler Guys - Coolerguys 80mm (80x80x25) High Speed IP67 12v Fan CG8025H12-IP67
- 3-pin Manual Variable Speed Controller - Coolerguys Power Supply (1A) & Manual 12V DC Variable Speed controller
- screws for fan - I used long ones that just screwed into the lid
- 18 Gallon Hefty Tote with Lid - https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-HI-Rise-18-Gallon-72-Quart-Grey-Green-Tote-with-Latching-Lid/1000461763
- HydroLogic 1/4" Quick Connect RO Water Float - Don't cheap out on this! It's the weakest link in the system. My local hydro store had it a bit cheaper than Amazon. (Optional: no need for this if you intend on filling the tote manually)
- 1/4" Quick Connect RO Y-Splitter and Valves (Optional)
- 1-1/4" - 1-1/2" Sump Pump Drainage Kit - Prinsco Plastic Discharge Hose Kit 1-1/4 in. Dia. x 24 ft. L - Ace Hardware - Make sure it has two fittings. One will have a bigger threaded end, but it reduces down to where the barbed ends will be the same size to fit the included flex hose.
- Inkbird Humidity Controller (not pictured below) - Inkbird Humidifier & dehumidifier humidity control 110-240V Meat Food Storage US | eBay (I caught this on sale and saved over $5)

Tools
- Cordless Drill
- 7/16" Drill Bit (for float valve)
- Hole Saws
- 1-1/2" for the 1-1/4" fitting
- 1-3/4" for the 1-1/2" fitting
- 2-1/2" for the fan port

View attachment 11869

View attachment 11870
Cut the hoses to the desired length, preferably having both hoses the same length.

Notice how the fan and fittings are placed. The fan fits on the middle rails perfectly. Slide it back to the lip. Make a line to use as a reference so you can center up and drill a hole using the 2-1/2" hole saw. Place the fan back on (making sure it blows into the tote, this fan was label down) and screw it onto the lid. Proceed with drilling the holes for the barb fittings.
View attachment 11871

View attachment 11872
The smaller holes allow for a tight fit. Push and twist the fittings in about halfway. If you go too far, it could fall into the tote.

View attachment 11873
Install the float however high you'd like. Higher means more capacity, but you don't want it too high where water could splash out.

View attachment 11874
The RO line to the RO collection can got split off to the fogger tote. The fogger plugs into the Inkbird Humidity Controller (not pictured). It's then put into the tote of water and floats. House of Hydro recommends having a minimum of 15 PPM, so the RO water was cut with tap water. This would be the only manual part in this system, which would require very minimal attention.

View attachment 11875
Fit the hoses through the same openings as the epi bucket pipes. These will be covered up with some cloths.

Works great so far. An improvement that I can see is to seal the edges where the lid fits onto the tote, because some fog escapes. Not a big deal, but an improvement opportunity nonetheless. I also adjusted where the fogger unit was floating in the tote to more of the middle vs the edge. The fog was more evenly distributed between the two hoses (this was done after the video below).

In action:

View attachment 11876
View attachment 11878

View attachment 11879

Good stuff. I’m gonna give one a shot. I just need to know where you found that fancy neon green tub

 

[Phylex]

Good stuff. I’m gonna give one a shot. I just need to know where you found that fancy neon green tub

I'm pretty certain Lowe's

 

[spyralout]

yep Blowe's, I use the same totes for F&D. Those green lids have endless uses too.

 

[Deebs]

This is awesome @spyralout. I was thinking about doing this exact build for a shroom grow room. Running that with the inkbird...winner winner....Do you get enough airflow with that fan? I am doing similar with an inkbird and ultrasonic mist humidifier, much smaller area.

 

[spyralout]

This is awesome @spyralout. I was thinking about doing this exact build for a shroom grow room. Running that with the inkbird...winner winner....Do you get enough airflow with that fan? I am doing similar with an inkbird and ultrasonic mist humidifier, much smaller area.

Thanks @Deebs ! Yes it has been good, and the potentiometer (is that the right term to use even if it's not for a light? lol) lets me throttle it. A 120MM fan would of course do more, but how much fog do you really need? If I ran this thing with no hoses it would fog up my bedroom like a crazy rave halloween party lol

 

[Jewels]

Looked @ building one of these once, always wanted one.
You nailed it buddy.

That ceramic emitter is floating ? Yes?
That is the one ‘warning flag’ that kept coming up. Those things are always playing brinkmanship with self destruct. Too deep, no fog, if too shallow they burn out in a hot minute.

In my imagination, the emitter was mounted to a pontoon, that would travel up and down, like piston.

,,,and now that I am handing out unsolicited advice,,,
Call me a pessimist, but, every time I recognize a relationship, I envision how it will end,,,
In theory that fan has two jobs, the most obvious task, is to force condensate into the room.
The ‘side job’ will be to patiently collect every speck of dust in that house, and deposit it on your virgin ceramics.
You could build an intake housing -to filter air.
,, and when the old lady catches you searching for Dacron fill, fist deep in a stuffed animal, you can always say,
“I was just playing Jepeordy with Jewels!”

 

[spyralout]

The ‘side job’ will be to patiently collect every speck of dust in that house, and deposit it on your virgin ceramics.
You could build an intake housing -to filter air.

leave it to you my genius friend, you got my back at the same time ?. filter contraption would definitely be good. I have a piece of spare pantyhose left. it's not what you think, I SWEAR! ? side note: how often do people replace their car cabin filter (if they even have one?)

fist deep in a stuffed animal

take a lesson from the Reverend Maynard


shoulder deep mang. The bottom of the stuffed animal, given it was propped upright for a good portion of its life, has that settled dust Dacron fluff.

 

[Jewels]

Hah, I still remember the first time I ever recognized a silent “carefull what you wish for ” glance.

I was six years old. Watching the vet doing spring cattle checks.
I asked my Grampa ,
“ Why does the veterinarian have a disposable glove ,that goes up to his armpit ?"

Somethings must be seen , to be believed.
Carefull what you wish for.

 

[Jewels]

Link not working,,, I know that one by wrote anyhow.

I'm the one without a soul
I'm the one with this big fucking hole
No new tale to tell
Twenty-six years, on my way to hell
Gotta listen to your big-time, hard-line, bad luck, , ,
Big Truck ?


Notice our Prime Minister is totally morphing into Trent ?

 

[spyralout]

Somethings must be seen , to be believed.

and typically never UNSEEN again lol

I just realized I didn't answer this question:

That ceramic emitter is floating ? Yes?

Yes. And they warned not to touch the "U" wire, otherwise it would "cause some pain." It looks like a little handle, so I can totally see someone inadvertently grabbing that. It is on a pontoon thingy.




They call the unit an "ultrasonic transducer" - it almost sounds like the part this guy is looking for:

 

[spyralout]

Link not working,,, I know that one by wrote anyhow.

I'm the one without a soul
I'm the one with this big fucking hole
No new tale to tell
Twenty-six years, on my way to hell
Gotta listen to your big-time, hard-line, bad luck, , ,
Big Truck ?


Notice our Prime Minister is totally morphing into Trent ?
View attachment 11976

HOLY SHIT ?

 

[jpcyan2]

Man.. That is a bad ass setup. Love the floating but recessed ultrasonic transducer! You guys getting all high tech.
This whole VPD thing is quite interesting and I'll be following along to see if you get any noticeable changes in growth, stretching, leaf size, color, anything.. Very cool stuff.

I've seen one of these similarly used in a martha. It was so powerful he had to add an inline dryer.

One thing to keep an eye on is bacteria in the fog outlet hose. Water can stagnate inside it if it cant drain back down sufficiently.
My first Ultrasonic terrarium I had to coil/Spyral the hose as it went upward (before it traveled back down into the terrarium) to allow condensate drainage back to the rezevoir. I didnt have the controllers you have.

A pre filter/ filtered box on the fan might be needed. Otherwise it will certainly push everything thats floating in the air right into the tub and you may be changing the water too often anyway. I've used poly and carbon filters that come in packs cut to vent size pieces for similar applications. 4 x 9?
HEPA's are available for vacuum cleaners, but I dont know if the fan has enough power to utilize it efficiently.
Good thinking @Jewels .

Freakin cool.. Y'all blow my mind with the ingenuity and dedication to improvement. Rock on @spyralout .

 

[spyralout]

Thank you JPC, you have some very creative, affordable and practical designs yourself. It's funny how one thing leads to another, dominoes start falling, and things click into place. Yes, I've thought about the condensation too. So far just the little humidity unit I have, hasn't had any issues, and it has a clear tank with intense light hitting it most of the day. I wonder if spraying some peroxide in the hoses or dropping some in the tote might help? IDK what "H2O2 fog" would do - is it like some sorta poison mustard gas lol? I know certain chemical reactions can be very toxic, like burning sugar, H2S, etc.

noticeable changes in growth, stretching, leaf size, color, anything

Give you an idea:

Official 420 pHenohunter Showcase Grows

Mint Chocolate Trip got wet 4/20 others 4/26. Not too sure when they broke ground. Haven't fed them yet just water and microbes. They're in Roots organic original. I always get the nitrogen leaf tip curl if I feed then early so I'm just letting them eat soil nutes and grow roots for now...

phenohunter.org

Official 420 pHenohunter Showcase Grows

I did not 'consider this'

phenohunter.org

The Upward Spyral

Thanks for the tip Deebs ? I was trying to keep it all as cheap as possible and reusing as many things that I already had. I figured, why not use the old RDWC buckets with the 1-1/2" holes out of each side. They had no problem leaking water out everywhere in my tent lol, so I figured the holes...

phenohunter.org

Spyral the hose as it went upward

??

A pre filter/ filtered box on the fan might be needed. Otherwise it will certainly push everything thats floating in the air right into the tub and you may be changing the water too often anyway. I've used poly and carbon filters that come in packs cut to vent size pieces for similar applications. 4 x 9?
HEPA's are available for vacuum cleaners, but I dont know if the fan has enough power to utilize it efficiently.
Good thinking @Jewels .

Good idea, trying to picture this. The pantyhose on the tent exhaust is black and shows all the dust it has caught. I can only imagine with this computer fan. Dust bunnies in a computer can get pretty gnarly.
And yes Jewels - always thinking

 

[Jewels]

Think bout this for a min,,,

 

[spyralout]

Think bout this for a min,,,

1:33
This is your brain
This is your brain on drugs
Any questions?

 

[Capt. C]

@spyralout sorry if i missed it in a previous post but how much ( roughly ) is that unit increasing the humidity level in the tent? The reason i ask is when i had mine set up i was fairly surprised how dry that mist was. It dissipated rapidly after rising out of the bucket. It did help when i put a small fan at the top of the bucket to fan towards the plants. I know this sounds strange as to why i am curious to what your findings are. I remember @dstroy0 built one a while back with a fan at the top of the bucket that seemed to work well.

 

[Jewels]

I am acutely interested, because I have shopped and mapped this out in the past.
I like what you have built, and I would like to see it live a long, and azzkicking life.

That fogger is literally a Pizeo tweet.

The hoop could likely be a resistor , within a passive ‘cross over‘
You prolly read about diff. Hertz (Hz) values mentioned in fogger lit. That is how many cycles the disc makes per second. Would also explain the incredible heat production. A stereo speaker is POUNDING @ 48 volts.
I would say the difference in heat accumulation would be specific heat capacity of the material used, and the quantity of the moving mass,,,
In other words - the ceramic discs get hot because they are near-nuclear,monster-ass bitches.

Too deep and they don’t work, too shallow, and they burn up.
That specifically is why I was curious about the pontoon.
The beginning of anything is always exciting. However, with retail, the end sometimes really sucks . Gotta watch your ass , and your hard earned dollars
Ask yourself “how will this fail ?”
To point: say one day that reservoir does not fill.
Then what ?
Is there a clear path of travel, for the raft , to freely follow the waterline to the bottom of the bucket?

I think @Capt. C would tell us not to tie our boat to a rock,, tide comes in - boat goes down.
Allow enough free cord for the raft to travel unobstructed , with enough length readily available for the unit to sit on the bottom of the tank.

 

[Capt. C]

I am acutely interested, because I have shopped and mapped this out in the past.
I like what you have built, and I would like to see it live a long, and azzkicking life.

That fogger is literally a Pizeo tweet.

The hoop could likely be a resistor , within a passive ‘cross over‘
You prolly read about diff. Hertz (Hz) values mentioned in fogger lit. That is how many cycles the disc makes per second. Would also explain the incredible heat production. A stereo speaker is POUNDING @ 48 volts.
I would say the difference in heat accumulation would be specific heat capacity of the material used, and the quantity of the moving mass,,,
In other words - the ceramic discs get hot because they are near-nuclear,monster-ass bitches.

Too deep and they don’t work, too shallow, and they burn up.
That specifically is why I was curious about the pontoon.
The beginning of anything is always exciting. However, with retail, the end sometimes really sucks . Gotta watch your ass , and your hard earned dollars
Ask yourself “how will this fail ?”
To point: say one day that reservoir does not fill.
Then what ?
Is there a clear path of travel, for the raft , to freely follow the waterline to the bottom of the bucket?
View attachment 11998
I think @Capt. C would tell us not to tie our boat to a rock,, tide comes in - boat goes down.
Allow enough free cord for the raft to travel unobstructed , with enough length readily available for the unit to sit on the bottom of the tank.

@Jewels check out some of there videos . thehouseofhydro.com

 

[spyralout]

@spyralout sorry if i missed it in a previous post but how much ( roughly ) is that unit increasing the humidity level in the tent? The reason i ask is when i had mine set up i was fairly surprised how dry that mist was. It dissipated rapidly after rising out of the bucket. It did help when i put a small fan at the top of the bucket to fan towards the plants. I know this sounds strange as to why i am curious to what your findings are. I remember @dstroy0 built one a while back with a fan at the top of the bucket that seemed to work well.

I have not tested from dry, square one, no fans. However, the tent was operating at 86° with zero humidity help at around 42%. Leaf differential around -2° or -3°. I hover around 68-72%, lights on full blast, exhaust on 5/10, and humidifier fan turned up about 70%. So based on that I have been able to increase it 26-30% lol!