Bioactive enclosure substrate tray

[ivythechammy]

I have been searching for a substrate tray to put inside my XL Reptibreeze enclosure (24x24x48). Everything I found online so far are pretty expensive ranging from $60-250 a piece after shipping. I was wondering if anybody came across a suitable piece of equipment, or has a better solution. (See link below).

https://growershouse.com/black-floo...OLPK99MlGnALvEWbJM8WiqpzWlBi0xgRoCLA4QAvD_BwE



I have thought about gluing pieces of plexiglass on the inside of the cage, but it seems messy. (They are also pretty expensive)

Alternatively, would I be able to put substrate straight into the screen cage without any container/reinforcement? Would the substrate come out, or would the pressure break the screen?

 

[nightanole]

"concrete mixing tub"

 

[PabloTheCham]

I made a custom tray with wood. I put a trash bag inside so the wood doesn't rot.

 

[ivythechammy]

I made a custom tray with wood. I put a trash bag inside so the wood doesn't rot.

How do you deal with drainage?
BTW, my veiled chameleon is doing much better now after laying 38 most likely infertile eggs. (Most of them started to mold.)

 

[PabloTheCham]

BTW, my veiled chameleon is doing much better now after laying 38 most likely infertile eggs. (Most of them started to mold.)

That's great!

How do you deal with drainage?

There shouldn't be much excess water if everything is done right. My setup is not quite done yet, so i don't know if it will cause any problems in the future.

 

[ivythechammy]

"concrete mixing tub"

I need some pointer... I searched all over the web, and couldn't find anything thats 24x24. Manufacturers don't seem to make square stuff.

 

[nightanole]

I need some pointer... I searched all over the web, and couldn't find anything thats 24x24. Manufacturers don't seem to make square stuff.

How about a horse muck bucket, they B about 24" round with handles:

https://www.amazon.com/Miller-Muck-Tub-quart-Black/dp/B001AHAWIW

 

[Acidsin]

I used these in my XL reptibreeze setup for a long time. If you do get worried about drainage you can just put small pin holes in it and put a container underneath to catch excess

 

[Acidsin]

You can order them from LLLReptile.com

 

[Randers88]

I made my bioactive substrate bins for my XL Reptibreezes out of 1x8" wood boards & a 1/2" plywood piece. Then used flex seal to seal it all up to prevent the wood from rotting. It's worked great so far. For Drainage, I used a 4" pvc pipe running vertically in one of the corners that way I can shopvac any excess water from it if it's needed, but its a rarity that I actually have to do this. The bottom layer is Hyrdo balls, then a weed barrier screen, activated carbon, and finally the soil. The actual dimensions of the substrate bin is around 23.5x23.5x8".

 

[ivythechammy]

Thanks guys. I got some really useful advise from cyberlocc. He gave me some instruction to build the box myself. The only difference is that he recommended PVC trim boards, which is easy enough to get from home depot. Hopefully he will upload the soil bin guide soon, which will be posted here https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/soil-bins-a-guide.2430/

His bioactive guide was also very helpful if anyone else is interested.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/intro-to-bio-activity.2429/

I like the PVC pipe idea for drainage, and I think i'm going to go with that!

 

[ChameleonTherapy]

I'm a newbie, but could this be an option? Might be a tight fit

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MUSTEE-...ith-1-in-Furnished-Drain-Adapter-95/303880290