drainage options?

[heyprettyrave]

i have a redfooted tort and i was told a while back that i needed a drainage system for my 40 gallon indoor enclosure. which i am beginning to unnderstand why, bec i have this one section full with plants that the top soil is always really wet.

soo.. i was thinking i would use the hydro balls i bought a while back and fill the bottom with those, then put a screen over top (for seperation) maybe have a tube go to the top of my tank and have a natural dripping water?
this is the only option i've thought of so far, any others??

tips and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Madkins007]

The TOP layer being wet is not a problem- wht is happening lower down?

A layer of coarser material on the bottom, just like you would do for a flowerpot with no drainage hole will help. It does not have to be hydro balls however (although I know you already have them.) Lava rock, river pebbles, etc. will do fine.

If it is a plastic tub, you can just drill a small hole and cork it. If you cannot drill into it, then you just need to moderate your watering- monitor the water levels, and back off when too much is accumulating in the bottom.

If you use a properly rated soil heating cable or strip, you can warm the lower part of the soil gently (and gently is the key word here) and encourage the moisture to percolate up as humidity- a bonus for both the plants and tortoise.

 

[heyprettyrave]

i think i will use the hydroballs considering that i already have them, it seems easy enough. though is that the best option?