possible drainage layer?

[thatoneguy]

it's been a few years since I've been on here and a lot has changed since then.
I'm setting up for a new cham and i'm going bioactive.
i'll get right to it. im using a 24inch wide by 24inch long by 13inch high glass bottom under a 2x2x4 screen cage, best of both worlds. ive done some research and ran across different discussions on the bioactive subject.

my question is do you guys think a drainage layer is even needed for roughly a foot of substrate, i know misting plays a big factor in this but even in my previous enclosure i would mist 4-5 times a day but its not like i was misting the ground i would mist mostly the plants, cham and screen cage.
i was planning on using lump charcoal as a "just in case" drainage layer, however i doubt water will ever reach that far down. i havent ran across anything about using charcoal as a drainage layer. what do you guys think??

 

[jamest0o0]

I had 17 inches of substrate in all of my.enclosures and they still drained water out.

 

[thatoneguy]

any thoughts on using charcoal for the bottom? i know springtail cultures are usually partially submersed charcoal.

 

[jamest0o0]

Umm well it wouldn't hurt, but it's not necessary either. Orchid bark would be a better option. I'd just put a small layer of hydroballs to hold moisture and minerals for the plant roots.

 

[thatoneguy]

the reason i was thinking charcoal was so that i didnt have to use the hydroballs, plus getting even a 2 inch layer of hydroballs in something that size would be more pricey. i had also gave someting like orcid bark a thought but didnt want something breaking down in the water after a few weeks that the cleaners couldnt get to.

 

[dshuld]

Well, I was going to ask about this in a thread for my enclosure I'm doing but, I'll tag along here since we both have a similar question. @jamest0o0 would safe-t-sorb be ok for a drainage layer/ mixed into the soil? It is montmorillonite clay with a high cec rate and is similar in function to hydroballs at significantly less cost. I used it in my planted tanks for similar reasons as what I think we are trying to achieve here from a plant stand point? Since I'm just getting into chameleons thought figured it was better to ask then hurt my new little one.

 

[jamest0o0]

You could use it if you want, charcoal would probably be fine too. It's just not needed. It all depends what you plan on growing and for how long?

 

[dshuld]

You could use it if you want, charcoal would probably be fine too. It's just not needed. It all depends what you plan on growing and for how long?

For me, I'm going to be using a 6 bulb sun blaze t5ho. So far the plants I've collected are hibiscus and umbrella. I'm looking for some smaller hanging pots to spread some pothos around the "ceiling" of the enclosure and I'm thinking about maybe some broms mixed in too. I haven't decided on using regular bulbs or ceramic emitters for basking yet though.

 

[jamest0o0]

The hibiscus will probably need a jungle dawn or equivalent to have a chance. Their light requirements are crazy.