Air humidifier safe for GCC?

[CallumConure]

Heyo all. I live in the frigid and frozen north of USA and it often gets quite dry thanks to the snow. My hands are very sensitive and they dry out almost immediately and begin cracking and bleeding. I don't like using lotion since that means I then can't touch my animals and because it can sometimes cause a reaction as well.

Moral of the story: I have sensitive hands! They suck lol.

I digress. Mistake me if I'm wrong, but I read that it's best to keep a bird in a home with ambient humidity of 55% (right before mold begins to grow). I also read that birds with low humidity can have respiratory infections pop up! And I'd like to have hands that aren't about to crumble away from the dry air. I imagine Callum's skin gets quite dry and itchy right about now as well, since he's asking for more and more baths

I know a quick fix is to turn the shower on super hot and let it run, but...

As some of you know, I have rats as well and they require a special type of air humidifier. Does a conure require a special one as well? I can't remember what type rats need (currently waiting for answers on my rat forum), but I will update once I figure out what they need!

While I wouldn't mind having a number of rats and a bird in the bathroom with me, it's a quick fix and I want a long-term fix instead.

 

[SailBoat]

Based on your location, 55% relative humidity would be difficult to maintain and/or the humidity falling out of the air on the windows would be like rain. More likely you should consider something in the mid-upper forties or just prior to moisture forming on the windows.

The best system for your location is a unit permanently attached to your forced air furnace. They are adjustable and once set, hold the relative humidity within a fairly tight range.

 

[CallumConure]

I should've added that I live in an apartment and do not have access to my furnace.

 

[SailBoat]

At the cottage we use a AirCare Humidifier.
Being a cottage, the building size is smaller and when not there, we run the temperature at a lower level, thus the water use is much lower and it will last for 10 plus days prior to needing cool water added.
The tank is someplace around three gallons and it has a circular filter with a center lift fan.
We run the unit at 35 /40 relative humidity when not at the cottage and 40 /45 when we are at the cottage.
The digital controller works well.

 

[riddick07]

I use an aircare too. It runs thru water quickly though, I add water twice a day in winter. But it takes my 18-20% humidity in winter and doubles it. I run a space heater in winter and it just ruins the humidity, so the humidifier fights that really well. The filter also pulls dust out of the air which is always nice!

https://www.amazon.com/AIRCARE-MA12...ords=aircare+humidifier&qid=1575209158&sr=8-4

 

[noodles123]

How do you guys clean yours? I used F10 in my small one (where I could rinse it), but something larger would be a pain to clean that way.

 

[ParrotGenie]

How do you guys clean yours? I used F10 in my small one (where I could rinse it), but something larger would be a pain to clean that way.

I just use vinegar, citric acid and water and let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse it also a good descaler. I also use a Bacteriostatic Water Treatment, which keep mold from forming in the first place, it safe for birds and been using it for years without issues, but only have to put very little into water. Filters last a couple of month and stay clean. Only have to replace the very large filter due to minerals build up over time, but filter stay pretty much white.

With a large humidifier, you only have to clean once in a great while as BestAir Bacteriostatic and Water Treatment keep it clean, had the unit for a couple years now and never seen mold yet. You can also use 3 to 4 drops of grapefruit seed extract in place of the r Bacteriostatic in every gallon to prevent algae growth, but you will have to change filter way more often as you will have quicker minerals build up without water treatment.

 

[SailBoat]

I use an aircare too. It runs thru water quickly though, I add water twice a day in winter. But it takes my 18-20% humidity in winter and doubles it. I run a space heater in winter and it just ruins the humidity, so the humidifier fights that really well. The filter also pulls dust out of the air which is always nice!

https://www.amazon.com/AIRCARE-MA12...ords=aircare+humidifier&qid=1575209158&sr=8-4

I have the standard (larger) 3.6 gal unit. My base relative humidity must be much higher as I use about 2.75 to 3 gals per week. I turn the filter once per week and have naturally very soft water in our area.

 

[riddick07]

I use an aircare too. It runs thru water quickly though, I add water twice a day in winter. But it takes my 18-20% humidity in winter and doubles it. I run a space heater in winter and it just ruins the humidity, so the humidifier fights that really well. The filter also pulls dust out of the air which is always nice!

https://www.amazon.com/AIRCARE-MA12...ords=aircare+humidifier&qid=1575209158&sr=8-4

I have the standard (larger) 3.6 gal unit. My base relative humidity must be much higher as I use about 2.75 to 3 gals per week. I turn the filter once per week and have naturally very soft water in our area.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was higher! I use the larger one in a relatively large room though with high ceilings. The house heat runs at 72-73 in winter. And I add the space heater on high to bring the room up to 75-78 most days. I basically just kill the humidity in the room. The rest of the house isn’t quite as bad humidity wise!

I have a small table top type humidifier in Titans room that I keep on low and it lasts a week or so, keeping the humidity easily in that room. But Titans room is pretty small with normal height for the ceilings & no extra heat.

 

[CallumConure]

Awesome, thank for the suggestion! The people on the rat forum recommended an evaporative humidifier as well, so that's kinda funny. They mentioned that the other types cause a fine white dust to come from the humidifier.

I'll have to get a smaller humidifier since all of my animals are in my room (I spend most of my time there and my grandma doesn't want my animals' cages outside of my room). Not sure on squarefootage. I will have to look at the blueprint of the apartment.

 

[ParrotGenie]

Awesome, thank for the suggestion! The people on the rat forum recommended an evaporative humidifier as well, so that's kinda funny. They mentioned that the other types cause a fine white dust to come from the humidifier.

I'll have to get a smaller humidifier since all of my animals are in my room (I spend most of my time there and my grandma doesn't want my animals' cages outside of my room). Not sure on squarefootage. I will have to look at the blueprint of the apartment.

Evaporative humidifier are much better and don't tend to over humidify a area and no deposits in the room. Ultrasonic based Humidifer do and not as good of a job maintaining a large space. Plus ultrasonic unit put bacteria as well as everything else. Yes some have filters to help prevent that, with weekly cleaning still does, but yet to come across one that preforms well enough and leave water in area. The aircare h12-400hb does well and never had a issue and going on to 3 years. Plus easy to clean and motor is built way better with a starter cap and only have to fill it once a day, unless really cold outside then twice and filter I get 2 months out of it as much larger.

 

[SailBoat]

With a standard tape measure you can determine square footage of a room.
Simply measure the how wide and long the room is and multiple them. The results is the square footage. Most all rooms are a few inches larger than the nearest foot. In that case simply round up, if above 6" or round down if under.

Enjoy.