Drainage for Exo Terra tanks!

RandJreptiles · Jan 4, 2013

For the past 3 years I have dreamed of having a setup where all my chameleon tanks were hooked up to a misting system with drainage....My husband and I have had a few weeks off work over the Christmas holidays and we decided to give it a try! Here is how we did it! Looking forward to input or any potential problems you might see... THANKS!!!

Drilled holes in stand. (Simple storage stand.)

Drilled hole in Exo Terra tanks. Not an easy task!!!! Did you know the glass on the bottom of the exo terra tanks is nearly 1/2 thick!?

Placed tanks over holes and attached misting system.

Siliconed a tube that ran through the tank, through the stand, and into a bucket below

For chameleon tanks I suspend all the branches and plants from the top of the tank. I learned that over time this causes the frame of the tank to bend. My solution was to use a metal storage square to secure all the branches. The wire is this enough to fit through the top without having to punch extra holes.

Close up view of how it's secured. Wire is from Homedepot and is coated so it is rust proof.

Took a fish filter and cut it in half to cover the drainage hole. The idea is to keep things from clogging the drain.

Weighed it down with large rocks to hold it in place.

Here is it all complete!!!!!

Also installed some curtains so that we can watch tv etc at night and not disturb them when sleeping!

ReptiGeek · Jan 4, 2013

Honestly Julia this is so brilliant. I can't... I can't even comprehend your creativity some times. The devotion you put into your reptiles is astounding. I can't wait to see this in person, hopefully on sunday!

chameleonkev · Jan 4, 2013

This is the problem with these Vivs, the only thing I can think of is the vivs are flat at the bottom therefore any water not landing around the drainage hole won't go down there will it? If you put a plastic board in the bottom and raised it around the edge and put your plant in the middle the weight of it would make a natural shower tray type thing where all the excess water would run into the middle

ReptiGeek · Jan 4, 2013

If you can afford it, you could always put the exo terra rainforest heat mats underneath to evaporate some left over condensation that doesn't drain? The glass doesn't get nearly hot enough to burn your chameleons feet but just warm enough to evaporate some water. I use one and it does a pretty good job in my personal opinion.

chameleonkev · Jan 4, 2013

Does that not then walm up the bottom of the tank inside a little bit to as then there will not be a cooler area at the bottom for the chameleon to escape out of the heat to cool down? Just a thought

ReptiGeek · Jan 4, 2013

chameleonkev said:
Does that not then walm up the bottom of the tank inside a little bit to as then there will not be a cooler area at the bottom for the chameleon to escape out of the heat to cool down? Just a thought

I've checked the temps. It hardly makes a difference. A couple of inches above and it drops a few degrees just like that. During the day time with it on my chameleons lower climbing branches are at 72.

biffle · Jan 4, 2013

Fish tank air tubing will get clogged by air. It's not big enough to let air and water pass. You can avoid this by adding an air vent at the top of the tubing.

Jason

deadhd5 · Jan 4, 2013

It looks fantastic. Those tanks seem much harder to work with because of all the glass, but the finished product looks so clean and professional. Congrats!

ClubFauna · Jan 4, 2013

BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLL!!!! Very creative and understandable. Awesome job

stalincat · Jan 4, 2013

wow! I was just sitting here and thinking how to make an easy drainage for my mistking. Thanks for the idea!

coldbloodedAL · Jan 4, 2013

Looks great! I did something similar but used mistkings 1/4" bulkheads, that way if they need to be removed i can just unplug the tubing and reconnect when needed.

mcleodschams · Jan 4, 2013

I would fill those holes and drill them at the back of the tank and raise the front of them 1/4" so the water will flow there. Also I use hydro balls covered with repticarpet in the bottom this might be an idea to help with humidity and excess water.

RandJreptiles · Jan 4, 2013

Thank you everyone for your comments and advice. I have only had this setup for a day now. I think I will test if for a few more days to see exactly how much water sits at the bottom. Once i know then I will take all your suggestions into consideration and decide which will work best... Thanks again!!!!

Venutus1 · Jan 4, 2013

RandJreptiles said:
For the past 3 years I have dreamed of having a setup where all my chameleon tanks were hooked up to a misting system with drainage....My husband and I have had a few weeks off work over the Christmas holidays and we decided to give it a try! Here is how we did it! Looking forward to input or any potential problems you might see... THANKS!!!

Drilled holes in stand. (Simple storage stand.)

Drilled hole in Exo Terra tanks. Not an easy task!!!! Did you know the glass on the bottom of the exo terra tanks is nearly 1/2 thick!?

Placed tanks over holes and attached misting system.

Siliconed a tube that ran through the tank, through the stand, and into a bucket below

For chameleon tanks I suspend all the branches and plants from the top of the tank. I learned that over time this causes the frame of the tank to bend. My solution was to use a metal storage square to secure all the branches. The wire is this enough to fit through the top without having to punch extra holes.

Close up view of how it's secured. Wire is from Homedepot and is coated so it is rust proof.

Took a fish filter and cut it in half to cover the drainage hole. The idea is to keep things from clogging the drain.

Weighed it down with large rocks to hold it in place.

Here is it all complete!!!!!

Also installed some curtains so that we can watch tv etc at night and not disturb them when sleeping!

I am sooo Impressed.

PantherEnvy · Jan 4, 2013

Engineered well. Your drain tanks are huge. Do not wait for them to fill up with waste water, things will mold up and rot. Empty them once a week. Once again a marvelous piece of workman(woman)ship.

Neonchams1 · Jan 4, 2013

one thing is, how is the ventelation for the chams?

ReptiGeek · Jan 4, 2013

Neonchams1 said:
one thing is, how is the ventelation for the chams?

Ventilation for chameleons in exo terra's are fine. They're specifically designed for airflow. In through the vent beneath the door and out through the top screen mesh. Its so the moisture that collects at the bottom doesn't sit, but cycles out. It's just like the cycle of fog, mist and rain. The lower winds push the moisture upwards so the cycle continually repeats itself with down winds and rising winds. That's how the exo terra's were built to perform.

Decadancin · Jan 4, 2013

coldbloodedAL said:
Looks great! I did something similar but used mistkings 1/4" bulkheads, that way if they need to be removed i can just unplug the tubing and reconnect when needed.

I love this idea! I was thinking of doing this if I ever need to add drainage to my enclosure! Glad to see it works!

Decadancin · Jan 4, 2013

Oh, and by the way, I love the work on your setup! Great idea with the curtain at night

.

djstorm1987 · Jan 5, 2013

I am looking for a similar wire to hang my exo terra branches in my Chameleon`s tank since the branches keep falling. What is the name of the wire?

Drainage for Exo Terra tanks!

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