This was my plan for my first big vivarium build’s drainage layer. I’ve used rocks, hydroballs, gravel and the like before but trying to reduce the weight for this one. I will have a small pump and a drainage hole for excess water but curious if having open space beneath instead of a porous substrate like rocks will be a problem.
by OriginalRoombaJuice
3 Comments
Having something below with lots of surface area give the bacteria places to colonize. And you want them to keep the water conditions stable. You could get away with it, don’t get me wrong but you’re removing a helpful biome. If you have small crushed lava rock like Ecocomplete you could add that to mesh bags to keep it contained and still keep a mainly open space but still a have a good spot for the bacteria colonies to live. And you can get them to fit underneath easy since it’s small bits and you could keep the bags relatively flat.
I use a sponge filter
This is fine and I’ve used similar on drilled tanks to drain below the height of the platform. It helps with drain clogging issues.
I’m assuming this will be a flat surface no water feature? I would just run a solid bead of silicone around the edges and you should be good to go.. if you plan on manually draining with a siphon it’s probably not the best solution. Small insects can get through the screen and with that they can turn the water pretty nasty if you’re not doing a drilled drain.
Since you’re not supporting aquatic life water quality isn’t super important.. the bacteria you want is in the soil and leaf litter. That will help break down the excrement from the animals, and you’re cleaner insects like isopods, springtails etc will help as well with keeping the system in balance.
I would suggest making sure your misting schedule is either controlled by a mist system (the cheap ones on amazon are surprisingly good though I’m only going on 5 months with my rest of it)
My slow build of the purpose built frog room will be completely plumbed to a basement “mechanics room” that will house my rodi system, mist pump(s) fog maker, and all light and irrigation controllers for the 15 dart frog vivs (24x18x24) and 2 24x24x48 glass frog paludariums and The other wall has an air compressor loop system that will support sponge filters with valved drains for water changes. The room has a built in rodi tap and pump switch so I can mineralize and buffer parameters for the various shrimp and micro fish tanks. In total I should have 12-16 aquariums running.
I used to build plant walls professionally and debated on filling the remainder of the 6 week of open wall with a living wall for behind my desk.. I just don’t want to deal with pest control should I get an outbreak with sensitive animals in the same room.
This is obviously a very complex and highly engineered and planned system. As well as a considerable expense.. but once it’s done I feel it will be one of the best setups in the hobby.
I worked at zoos and aquariums for a long time and now at Princeton University, and this is a fresh start setup addressing many of the pitfalls I’ve experienced in the decades in the hobby and learning from those who came well before me.