Could use help, substrate layer drainage

[jamest0o0]

I'm not sure how I want to approach drainage for my free ranges. Could use some ideas from anyone that'd like to help. I'm using flower pots lined up next to each other to make 1 large substrate bin(I'll post some pictures to give you an idea). All of my plants will be directly planted into these forming one bottom that meshes together. The best planters I found have holes predrilled in the bottom. My plan though, was to have no holes at the bottom, and just have hydroballs under a wide-hole mesh layer for the plant roots to eventually grow down into similar to being grown hydroponically(As described in the chameleon bioactive podcast). If I did that I'd need to fill the predrilled holes and come up with a drainage solution for each of these flower pots when the water exceeds the drainage layer. I'm up in the air about the best way to go about doing this. I wouldn't want something too complicated because I have multiple flower pots to make drainage layers for rather than just 1 big substrate bin.

On the other hand I could just leave the holes in there, allow free drainage, but keep the hydro ball layer for added moisture. I'll be moving in a year or two hopefully so maybe this will work out fine until then when I have a more permanent solution. They key Is to keep a healthy and active substrate layer with good plant growth over the long haul. I'll be using some organic fertilizers with this as well.

The picture at the bottom is just 1 flower pot, but I'll have a few of these lined next to each other to form 1 base. Ignore the small plant and Spanish moss

Oh and also, if someone could recommend a material similar to landscaping cloth, but with wider holes(for roots to grow through).

I might be over thinking this and would be fine with just having free drainage out the bottom. Maybe in this kind of set up, what I'm imagining isn't necessary, but Idk for sure, so that's why I ask the experts here!

Really appreciate any help, trying to get this underway this week.

 

[jamest0o0]

Bump

 

[Carlton]

Have you asked a hydroponics supplier about this? They may have some good suggestions for how to set up your drainage layers or a tray, or suggesting the materials you could use. I'm not quite sure I understand your plan, but suspect you are making it a little more complicated than it needs to be. If you are striving for as "natural" a free range as possible by having the bioactive layer handle water that is a lot different than permitting yourself a bit more of a utilitarian approach (plants in pots sitting in something that drains). It will probably take a lot of adjustments to make it work without creating a boggy smelly mess. Also, maybe asking yourself why you want to create this setup...your cham won't really care or appreciate it, so if its aesthetics for YOU, that might change your vision.

FWIW, my first free range was pretty DIY, but it did work. Here's a basic description:

I created a clump of potted trees on a plywood platform in the center of the room. The platform was tilted very slightly and covered by a piece of pond liner larger than the plywood. I rolled up the edges of the pond liner to create a bathtub effect to corral drainage. The entire platform was covered with recycled paper pulp cage bedding because it was absorbent, looked fairly decent, and pretty resistant to mold and smell. The platform drained to one depression that was free of bedding. There were ultrasonic foggers and a misting system suspended over the clump with the nozzles aimed right into the trees. Water drained through the pots, dripped off the foliage, and was absorbed by the bedding. Drainage percolated to the depression where I mopped or suctioned it up with a small pump when the depression got too full.

 

[jamest0o0]

Well I'm basically going for the dendro-style set up as far as the substrate layer is concerned. I have 2 free ranges and one cage(3panthers) now with the microfauna and all, but they aren't really put together in a way that'll support long-term plant growth/success. Trying to find a way to get the drainage layer just right where there's water in the hydro ball layer, but not bogging down my soil.

I've been interested in the "bioactive" concept for years because of the way it mimics reef aquariums on land. I only recently applied it to chameleon enclosures. It's definitely something for me aesthetically, but I also believe the natural forest floor(when done correctly, filled with beneficial bacteria and microfauna)aids our Chams.

Appreciate the response, I didn't think of asking a hydroponics person, was considering asking dart keepers though.

 

[Carlton]

One other thing to consider is how deep your substrate would need to be to support the structural plants (the trees) enough. If they will still be potted that's not an issue, but if you hope to have them rooted and growing out of your bioactive layer you would need very deep soil so they are strong enough. It could be that the depth of your layers (hydroball, filter material and charcoal) would affect drainage more than anything else. The material that separates the layers might not have to be anything other than window screen. Haven't done this so I'm no expert.