Fully planted enclosure draining
- Thread starter mc9423
- Start date
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
Well, this is just a guess and it depends on the set-up being installed this way, but perhaps there could be holes drilled into the bottom of the enclosure's plastic bottom, then a nice layer of drainage pebbles (I forget what they're called but they're sold at gardening stores, they's small clay balls I think) that are great for this type of thing. Ontop of that then a layer of mesh or something of that sort, and then the soil and plants. This should be enough for the water to sink down through those levels and then fall out the bottom, which can be caught in buckets or using a catching system or some sort.
Just an idea!
Just an idea!
I don't drill any holes. I just use the hydroton balls, and then soil. I don't bother with the mesh any more, as I find the plants root better without it. For soil I used the stuff sold in blocks, not actual plant soil, as it can get too muddy. If you want to know what I use for soil I'll look it up for you! 
I don't drill any holes. I just use the hydroton balls, and then soil. I don't bother with the mesh any more, as I find the plants root better without it. For soil I used the stuff sold in blocks, not actual plant soil, as it can get too muddy. If you want to know what I use for soil I'll look it up for you!
Can we see a Pic?
Thanks for the advice guys!
Lisa - are you talking about Bed-A-Beast (coc fiber)? If so, do the plants actually grow in that?
Just looked it up. I use the exo terra brand Plantation Soil and Coco Husk. Sometimes I put in a bit of organic soil. I don't really worry about ratios as everything seems to work. Plants grow really well in it.
If I can load one, you can see one LOL. I'll try later tonight.
ChamOh
Established Member
pics would be sweet!
Monkeykungphu
New Member
Check out Slik Jim's builds too. Really nice looking planted cages.
SliK JiM
New Member
As said, check my builds out:
The most recent: https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-latest-build-progress-40191/
The older one: https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-build-guide-everyones-use-38695/#post379288
The second one is a pdf you can download! It does now have a similar tube to the bottom as the newer version does.
This system works great but will be tricky to implement if it's already planted and you dont have a "drainage layer" at the bottom (either hydroton or pebbles)
The most recent: https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-latest-build-progress-40191/
The older one: https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-build-guide-everyones-use-38695/#post379288
The second one is a pdf you can download! It does now have a similar tube to the bottom as the newer version does.
This system works great but will be tricky to implement if it's already planted and you dont have a "drainage layer" at the bottom (either hydroton or pebbles)
