Drainage.?

[mychamtini112012]

So ive been interested in a fully planted cage, and was wondering if you set up a screen cage (that would have a plastic box or something) in the bottom would it work.? Like how they plant a terranim, with the layers and hydro balls and everything. I can't remember what it all is.

 

[brandon1]

So ive been interested in a fully planted cage, and was wondering if you set up a screen cage (that would have a plastic box or something) in the bottom would it work.? Like how they plant a terranim, with the layers and hydro balls and everything. I can't remember what it all is.

I still have some kinks to work out and some money to save before I start building a cage for my Veiled, but this is how I plan to utilize a drainage system:

I will be using Melamine Whiteboard.
My plan is to cut a few circular holes into the bottom (like 4-6" in diameter) and then placing funnels, that have wide lips into the holes, leaving the extended part of the funnel on the outside of the cage(the lip is needed to hold the funnel in place and to prevent moisture from getting to the exposed wood from the holes that were cut). I will seal the funnels all the way around on the inside and outside. Next I will take a large piece of fine mesh screen that covers the entire bottom of the cage and adhere it to the bottom. Now I will take a piece of tubing that fits real snug over the extended portion of the tunnel and run it up as far as it goes and then adhere it to the funnel to make sure it stays put. After that place the tubes into containers to catch the water and then fill the cage with organic soil and plants.

 

[PappaRONzi]

I think the cams need to much h2o! You could do it but would still need to move some of the water. Would look really cool. Good luck if you try it, keep us posted.

 

[mychamtini112012]

I keep the layers as follows, hydroton clay balls, then black plastic window screen, then miracle grow potting soil, then organic soil, then in a couple I use a thick layer of exo terra coconut shavings? cant remember what theyre called exactly but are very fine little pieces

This was copied from showjet. Would this work.? Of course, i'd have to out something over the coconut shavings but would it be okay.?

 

[Davonat]

I still have some kinks to work out and some money to save before I start building a cage for my Veiled, but this is how I plan to utilize a drainage system:

I will be using Melamine Whiteboard.

Melamine board isnt waterproof...... Moisture will very quickly soak thru to the particle board. You need something solid like Corion, plastic or even plexi glass.

 

[brandon1]

I still have some kinks to work out and some money to save before I start building a cage for my Veiled, but this is how I plan to utilize a drainage system:

I will be using Melamine Whiteboard.

Melamine board isnt waterproof...... Moisture will very quickly soak thru to the particle board. You need something solid like Corion, plastic or even plexi glass.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I was planning on adhering plexiglass to everywhere the soil was going to be: bottom, back and both sides about 14" up. All the creases will be sealed by either aquarium silicon or a non toxic caulking glue. After many thoughts of going back and forth I think I have decided to go with a screen front, and just ditch the other idea(s) I had. This will help from creating a humid box and helping the cage to dry out quicker and will be a lot simpler than the other idea I had in mind. The back and both sides will be vented in some way around the top through either large vents, like used in houses/campers, or aluminum black screen, or maybe even several circular vents.

 

[c2c]

the bottom of my cage is plywood with a 4in diameter hole drilled in it and the whole enclosure is painted with a rubber paint.