Quick drainage question

[dlaunde]

So I found someone local with the perfect sized terrarium that they never used but it is a glass/screen mixture. The bottom and 8" high up the sides is all glass (waterproof), with a glass back and then half screen/half glass sides and screen top.

I was planning on doing a planted bottom per the usual guides (bottom layer of rocks, netting, substrate, etc)...but with it being an all glass bottom enclosure area, there is no way to add a small drainage tube for any water that reaches the rock layer (aside from drilling the glass but I don't want to risk that).

Does a planted bottom with proper misting need to be drained? I know house plants that are watered every few days don't need drainage, but for a chameleon enclosure with multiple mistings a day wasn't sure if it is necessary.

Thanks!

 

[Hydra_cosplay]

Here's a forum discussing a similar question. Seems you could use a form of pump to pump out the drainage layer occasionally. https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...p-that-will-turn-on-as-water-fills-up.163443/

 

[dlaunde]

Here's a forum discussing a similar question. Seems you could use a form of pump to pump out the drainage layer occasionally. https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...p-that-will-turn-on-as-water-fills-up.163443/

Thanks, but I don't have much room to work with (it is a 36"x18" footprint cage).

Is drilling a small hole to fit like a 1/4" drain port in glass that hard to do in glass?

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

I'm having trouble visualizing this. Any terrariums I've seen either have a ceramic tile bottom, or metal frame holding the glass, etc.

Would it be possible to post a picture of the bottom from the inside (just stick your head in and look down)? Or is there one like it here:
glass bottom terrarium

 

[DocZ]

Don’t drill the glass unless you’re certain it’s NON-tempered glass. if you attempt to drill tempered glass the whole panel can explode. I picked glass out of a coworkers face after he attempted to drill a tank that we weren’t sure if it was tempered (it was).

I don’t think you can tell just by looking if it’s tempered or not, so you’ll need to know what type of glass the manufacturer used. Drilling glass also requires special drill bits.

If you’re drilling non-tempered glass with a proper bit, it’s pretty simple otherwise. I’m sure there’s lots YouTube videos out there to watch for tips

 

[CasqueAbove]

Just leave a down pipe, and then you can insert tubing and siphon .

a down pipe is just a pice of pvc pipe set just above the bottom and sticking out above the top layer. A stopper works too prevent things getting in when not in use.

 

[MissSkittles]

This thread may help. Lots of pics and diagram. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/lilys-new-bioactive-build.173417/

 

[TimothyOnTop]

Thanks, but I don't have much room to work with (it is a 36"x18" footprint cage).

Is drilling a small hole to fit like a 1/4" drain port in glass that hard to do in glass?

No it's not hard at all I have done it many times just go to hardware store and get a glass drop but set if you don't have any then turn cage upside down and possible make small clay wall around where you want to drop and fill clay pool with water to lubricate drill bit it will drop very clean if you can't turn cage upside down use a spray lubricant and drill slow spraying every once in a while

 

[TimothyOnTop]

View attachment 276715

 

[TimothyOnTop]

I use a ball valve to easily open and close drainage as needed

 

[dlaunde]

I'm having trouble visualizing this. Any terrariums I've seen either have a ceramic tile bottom, or metal frame holding the glass, etc.

Would it be possible to post a picture of the bottom from the inside (just stick your head in and look down)? Or is there one like it here:
glass bottom terrarium

It's similar to this but larger footprint
https://www.wayfair.com/pet/pdp/reptizoo-55-gallons-terrarium-rptz1029.html

 

[dlaunde]

Just leave a down pipe, and then you can insert tubing and siphon .

a down pipe is just a pice of pvc pipe set just above the bottom and sticking out above the top layer. A stopper works too prevent things getting in when not in use.

Oooo, that sounds like an easy idea. Would I be able to get away with a once a week siphon for ease of use (just do it when I am cleaning the cage and refilling my mister reservoir, etc)?

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

It's similar to this but larger footprint
https://www.wayfair.com/pet/pdp/reptizoo-55-gallons-terrarium-rptz1029.html

OK, that appears to have a metal frame holding (and separating) the glass panels. Good.
I would look for an entry point there where you could drill a hole without having to drill the glass.

 

[CasqueAbove]

Oooo, that sounds like an easy idea. Would I be able to get away with a once a week siphon for ease of use (just do it when I am cleaning the cage and refilling my mister reservoir, etc)?

You may never have to drain it. It just depends on how much water collects. It is one of those things you may not need often, but when you do you will be happy it is there.

 

[dlaunde]

You may never have to drain it. It just depends on how much water collects. It is one of those things you may not need often, but when you do you will be happy it is there.

Thanks! This seems like the easiest/best solution.