trying to create a simple drainage system :(

[zombiepixel]

I want to transfer Trogdor to a new enclosure that has drainage. I was too worried to modify his existing enclosure since I don't really have a place to put him for the time being.

I bought a new 16x16x30 repti-breeze and I drilled a few 1/4" holes in the middle of the PVC bottom.

the problem is that i'm worried the ficus won't weight it down enough to make the thin PVC bow enough. I've been testing with a smaller ficus that has less rock and the water wasn't really racing out.

1. Should I make the holes bigger or make it just one bigger hole?
2. (unrelated) my stupid habba mister is clogging up, what should I use to clean out the nozzle?

 

[cushcameleon]

My PVC bottoms have one larger hole, rather than multiple small ones. IMO it is easier for the water to drain out if you are using lighter plants.

 

[zombiepixel]

Cush - do you have any pics by any chance?

I don't have a way to drill large holes so I was thinking about just doing a grid of 1/4" holes but i'm worried they still may be too small.

 

[cushcameleon]

Sorry, I don't have any pictures on hand. I can take some next time I pull my plants out to clean cages, which will be in the next couple days. All I did was jab scissors into the middle and then I twisted them so that they made a whole. To increase the diameter, all twisted and slowly opened up the scissors. Kind of a silly way to do it, but it worked really well for me.

 

[Billy Quan]

Cush - do you have any pics by any chance?

I don't have a way to drill large holes so I was thinking about just doing a grid of 1/4" holes but i'm worried they still may be too small.

I have used this technique to make holes in plastic:

- find a (empty) tin can of the diameter needed (coffee/large - tomato paste/small)

-heat it open side down for around 15 seconds.

-use a pot holder or oven mitt to grab the can, use a slight twisting motion to work the heated can through the material. Be warned, it WILL smoke and stink, so open a window. And of course, dont burn yourself!!!

 

[Metric]

I use the same method. 5 small holes.

I have a plant on a stand that has 3 legs.

I raised the cage off its stand a bit using small pieces of wood (you can use anything) at each corner.

the added height allows the PVC bottom to slightly bend inwards when my plant is placed on it.

The slight inwards bending is enough for water to run down to the center of the PVC where the holes are.

I think if you raise your cage off the stand it might fix your issue.

Hope that helps : )

 

[zombiepixel]

The can idea sounds good. Does the wieght eventually cause the PVC to bend more? Right now the weight I have on it isn't causing the water to move to the center enoughor at all and there is nothing below it right now.

 

[jheitz]

I made a 15 inch stand out of 2x4's and plywood. All you have to do is cut out a large opening in the plywood to facilitate a funnel. But not to big or the bottom will sag. Then hot glue screen and and funnel to the bottom of your inclosure, and place the plants close to the drain. I was able to do this for under 40 bucks, but I had to by new tools, so it could probably have been less. I'll post a few picks to help.

Here you go. Hope This Helps:

 

[zombiepixel]

Yeah I've got the holes cut but my problem is getting the water flow to the holes. I've got a small ficus plant with about 5lbs or more of rock in the planter and it still isn't causing the Watertown flow to the center.

Do you guys know where to get small plant stands? I couldn't find any at home depot

 

[Frock]

I have a binder under the back left corner of mine, so all the water drains to the front right corner, right into a potted plant. It only tilts the terrarium about 15 degrees (and i doubt my veiled cares).

 

[zombiepixel]

Well I'm still working on this,

I've added more holes

I also got some rubber pads to lift the plant slightly off the floor.

the water drains better now, especially the water coming out of the bottom of the plant.

The little puddles around the outside still won't flow toward the middle even with all that weight on it. I wish I had another water system to test throughout the day.

Should ALL the water drain out right away or would it be OK to wipe the enclosure once a day?

 

[Billy Quan]

Should ALL the water drain out right away or would it be OK to wipe the enclosure once a day?

It looks like alien technology Glad you found a solution.

Wiping out as needed should be fine. Depending on your misting schedule, the smaller puddles will probably evaporate.

 

[nick barta]

I want to transfer Trogdor to a new enclosure that has drainage. I was too worried to modify his existing enclosure since I don't really have a place to put him for the time being.

I bought a new 16x16x30 repti-breeze and I drilled a few 1/4" holes in the middle of the PVC bottom.

the problem is that i'm worried the ficus won't weight it down enough to make the thin PVC bow enough. I've been testing with a smaller ficus that has less rock and the water wasn't really racing out.

1. Should I make the holes bigger or make it just one bigger hole?
2. (unrelated) my stupid habba mister is clogging up, what should I use to clean out the nozzle?

If your drain pan is bigger than your 16 by16 inch footprint, water dripping from the sides of your cage won't be an issue. Those holes need screen or bugs will be stinking in your collection pan!

CLR or vinegar will clear your nozzles, but your setup looks like you take a lot of pride in your habitat, I would suggest a MistKing system in your future!!

Nick

 

[Carlton]

2. (unrelated) my stupid habba mister is clogging up, what should I use to clean out the nozzle?[/QUOTE]

If your water is hard (minerals) you can dissolve them by soaking the nozzle in vinegar regularly. I also do this for the nebulizer disks in my ultrasonic humidifiers. Works great. If the deposits have built up over time try the hard water stain removers like CLS or Lime Away and rinse really well.

 

[chambabysitter1]

I had trouble with small holes, so I just drilled really big holes the size of a thumb in the middle of the PVC.
To prevent feeder escapees, I hotglued some metal screening on that I had leftover from making a bug keeper.

Has worked like a charm for drainage.

 

[zombiepixel]

The holes in the center are pretty big, probably about 3/4" or more, if the water gets to them then the water has no problem going through, it's just getting the water to flow to the center that i'm struggling with. I might hit up my local Tap Plastics and make some kind of platform that ramps down to the center from all four edges.

I've got a whole mess of screen I can use for the bottom, I just want to get the holes working before I put on the screen.

 

[Sancho]

My drain system! No problems at all https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-cheap-affordable-drainage-25695/

 

[zombiepixel]

Yes i've seen this before, very nice! what is lining the outer area of the enclosures floor? Is it astroturph? Do you find taht most of the water will run to the center?

 

[Sancho]

Yes i've seen this before, very nice! what is lining the outer area of the enclosures floor? Is it astroturph? Do you find taht most of the water will run to the center?

No it's some stuff from petco. I no longer use it. I used to to keep the water from running to the sides of the cages but then I got smart and cut 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch squares out of it and put it under the cage board to raise the corners so the water always runs to the drain.

 

[TreelionsUK]

Why not have you base vaccum formed?? simalar to a drainge board on a sink or shower base?
A very cheap jig will need to be made.
this wont cost much and will solve your problem