How to make a simple, cheap drainage system

[snortz21]

Hello all,

I have an 18x18x36 reptibreeze enclosure with a 2-3 month old veiled chameleon, that I believe is a female. Currently, I simply have about an inch of eco earth on the bottom to soak up some of the water. However, I have a fogger that runs 4 times a day for 30 minutes at a time that drips water into the enclosure that collects in the tube. In addition, I mist occasionally, run a dripper and water the live plants (Pothos and stephanotis florabunda). There is simply just too much water collecting at the bottom and the eco earth is so wet it’s like mud. Fungus is also starting to grow on the substrate. I would like to make a hollow bottom that allows water to flow into a reservoir at the bottom. I saw a thread fairy recently of a drainage system someone made using egg crate a plastic sink from Amazon. I want it to be cheap, effective and easy to mainatain. I attached a pic of my setup. Let me know what you guys think!

 

[WWoF]

i can answer your question brother because my cage in my shower. so i dont think about dranaige but i want to ask question to you. i like your cage and humidifier setup.
1> which type of water are you using in humidifier [ tap water / bottled water / deionised water [ car battery water ] / distilled water [ boiled and collected water ] ?
2> how many times are you open your humidifier and what is time process ? i saw timer on your humidifier plug
3> if you use tap water or bottled water how can you prevent from white dust which coming from bottled or tap waters minerals ?

 

[Panthro413]

Get one of these funnels, 22x23 and some egg crate for the bottom of cage. (Pictures attached) Rest the cage on top of the funnel. Place a bucket under the funnel. Not sure what kind of table setup you have so youl have to figuer out how to place the funnel, for example. Heres my setup with a bar sink at the bottom, I had to cut a square in my table to fit it through nice and snug. I didnt suggest the bar sink because its expensive. Although there is one that would work for your 18x18 dimens. Image attached of a 22x25. I also have cheap walmart screen mesh, got a roll to place under the cage so no feeder fall through the egg crate into the funnel/sink. Once a month i cut a new piece and place it at the bottom. Simple.

 

[snortz21]

Get one of these funnels, 22x23 and some egg crate for the bottom of cage. (Pictures attached) Rest the cage on top of the funnel. Place a bucket under the funnel. Not sure what kind of table setup you have so youl have to figuer out how to place the funnel, for example. Heres my setup with a bar sink at the bottom, I had to cut a square in my table to fit it through nice and snug. I didnt suggest the bar sink because its expensive. Although there is one that would work for your 18x18 dimens. Image attached of a 22x25. I also have cheap walmart screen mesh, got a roll to place under the cage so no feeder fall through the egg crate into the funnel/sink. Once a month i cut a new piece and place it at the bottom. Simple.

Right now I just have the enclosure on top of a small crate in my bedroom (pic attached). I’m wondering how I would be able to rest the enclose on a table or something while also having the funnel and bucket underneath. I may have to build a hollow stand out of wood so I can easily empty the bucket when needed. Again, I don’t want to spend a ton of money and want it to be easy to maintain. Let me know what you think!

 

[JacksJill]

Sterilite makes a three drawer stand for around 40 bucks. This will get your cage off the ground and a simple drain can go from the bottom of your cage to a container in the top drawer.

 

[snortz21]

Sterilite makes a three drawer stand for around 40 bucks. This will get your cage off the ground and a simple drain can go from the bottom of your cage to a container in the top drawer.
View attachment 192379

This looks like a great option for getting the cage higher and storing supplies in the drawers. However, how would you rest the cage on top with an oil funnel under it to allow the water to drain. The top of the stand isn’t hollow so how could I make it work?

 

[JacksJill]

My pictures aren't very good but here goes. You wouldn't need the funnel.

 

[snortz21]

My pictures aren't very good but here goes. You wouldn't need the funnel.
View attachment 192397

How do you funnel the water through the pipe if you don’t need a funnel? If you could show me a better photo of the whole setup that would be great.

 

[JacksJill]

This is what it looks like from above. That's all the pictures I have with me. The top of the unit is kind of funnel shaped. I could have just drilled holes thru the cage bottom into the center area of the unit and it would have worked.

 

[snortz21]

Get one of these funnels, 22x23 and some egg crate for the bottom of cage. (Pictures attached) Rest the cage on top of the funnel. Place a bucket under the funnel. Not sure what kind of table setup you have so youl have to figuer out how to place the funnel, for example. Heres my setup with a bar sink at the bottom, I had to cut a square in my table to fit it through nice and snug. I didnt suggest the bar sink because its expensive. Although there is one that would work for your 18x18 dimens. Image attached of a 22x25. I also have cheap walmart screen mesh, got a roll to place under the cage so no feeder fall through the egg crate into the funnel/sink. Once a month i cut a new piece and place it at the bottom. Simple.

What size reptibreeze do you use with your setup?