Removing water from enclosure...
- Thread starter barnaby
- Start date
Will Hayward
New Member
Are you meaning that you have flooded the bottom of the substrate?
What substrate have you used? Have you used multiple layers?
What substrate have you used? Have you used multiple layers?
Not flooded...yet!
I have a layer of peebles in the bottom to protect the plant's roots and a upper layer of humus (don't know the name in english) with bark...
The problem is that with every misting the water level raises a bit and in a few days will reach the top. Since most pygmy enclosures have substrate and glass bottoms, how do people get rid of acumulated water?
thanks!
Will Hayward
New Member
I think this article: Constructing a Stump-Tailed Chameleon Habitat, details a more useful drainage system. I have used this as a guide for creating my own habitats for them. The plans use charcoal that filters the water and hydroton (clay pebbles) which absorb water.
Of course much dense planting will provide more roots to use up your misting water.
Of course much dense planting will provide more roots to use up your misting water.
Will Hayward
New Member
In place of Hydroton you can use several clay pots. Take them and put them into a bucket or bin. And smash them into tiny bits. Its not QUITE the same since I believe the firing (heat curing) process differs between the two, where clay pots are fired at a higher temperature for longer than the Hydroton pebbles. But, non the less the clay from clay pots works to a certain degree. I would suggest a thicker layer than one would use with hydroton.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Can I mix them with the already existing rocks at the bottom?
Will Hayward
New Member
I suppose, but it would probably reduce how effective the clay works.
You could opt for something like:
Leaf Litter & Mosses
----------
Soils (No fertilizers or perlite/vermiculite)
----------
Sand
----------
Charcoal
----------
Gravel
----------
Hydroton
Plus or minus some of the layers. But they all play their part in one way or another. You certainly don't need all of them, but some combinations will be more effective than others. Between some of the layers Id suggest using screen, felt or garden cloth.
You could opt for something like:
Leaf Litter & Mosses
----------
Soils (No fertilizers or perlite/vermiculite)
----------
Sand
----------
Charcoal
----------
Gravel
----------
Hydroton
Plus or minus some of the layers. But they all play their part in one way or another. You certainly don't need all of them, but some combinations will be more effective than others. Between some of the layers Id suggest using screen, felt or garden cloth.
JDunkz6501
New Member
There is so much foliage in my chameleons cage that I don't even bother to put substrate at the bottom. And if I did I would have the same problem as you. In between the waterfall and the fogger that I rigged in my enclosure, it makes a huge mess. I either let it dry or clean it myself with a towel.
Will Hayward
New Member
JD, the chameleons that the thread is concerning are pygmy (stump tailed) chameleons. They grow to a max length of around 2.5" depending on the species. They are not so alike to larger old world chameleons like veileds or panthers and are perfectly suited for planted glass terrariums with a substrate.
JackWhiteIII
New Member
Ok.. this is where my setup fails... I don't have Hydroton peebles cause I never found them in my country.
Looks like my only option is sucking the water out ( like some do with aquariums)... Damn!
Anyone had this problem and found a better solution??
Thanks!
Hey Barnaby,
What country you from? try looking in garden centres for "Hydroleco" its the same as hydroton I think, small clay pepples.
III
JackWhiteIII
New Member
Sorry Hydroleca
Can I use this Epiwev mixed in the substrate? What's your opinion?
http://www.epiweb.se/material.htm
Thanks!
http://www.epiweb.se/material.htm
Thanks!
Will Hayward
New Member
Barnaby, I'd be worried about the plastic flaking off. But I dont think without seeing it in person, that any of uss could give you a good answer to weather or not it would be safe/useful.
Hyrdroton/Hydrocorn/Clay balls can be mixed safely into the suibstrate aswell as be used as a full layer.
Hyrdroton/Hydrocorn/Clay balls can be mixed safely into the suibstrate aswell as be used as a full layer.
NickBoudin
New Member
you can order the pebbles from www.blackjungle.com and tons of stuff for your terrarium.
Will Hayward
New Member
CorkBark looks natural. But corktiles works well.
I strongly suggest cork tiles which you can pickup at craft stores cheap.
I strongly suggest cork tiles which you can pickup at craft stores cheap.
