Vivarium Planting pots/substrate questions

[jermajesty]

HEy guys,
im in the process of planning/beginning a paludarium but had some plant related questions. I am separeating the water section from the land with a piece of glass so no water will seep through into the land section.
(I hope i am right when i am talking about "hydroballs", if not, i mean those little balls that people use under their substrate in vivariums.)

1) If i put a substrate of hydroballs and plantation soil or a false bottom with plantation soil, would i need a drainage system if i will have a misting system installed.

2) What is the best substrate for a non-false bottom(like 3 inches of hydroballs) and a false bottom(still use hydroballs or something or just plantation soil or something)?

3) What substrate is best for plants in a pot in a background and do they need drainage also?

4) Kind of a off topic question but can air plants or epiphytes grow on titebond vines??

Thanks for all the help.

[Agamidae Architect]

1. The little balls you are referring to are called hydroton. I buy mine from htgsupply.com. Im guessing your misting system is going to be your main source of watering for your plants? It depends on what your have misting system timer set one. Regardless, if you have plants in a medium such as soil, you are definitely going to need adequate drainage for them.

2. 3 inches of hydroton on the bottom is a good amount, i would cover the hydroton with about 1" of some type of fish tank gravel to also help prevent loss of growing medium due to runoff. On top of that you can have your growing medium. Also, make sure your soil has a little bit of peat in it to help hold more water in the above layer.

3. Yes, your plants in your wall will need drainage. Plant roots dont like to be sitting in water for extended periods of time. Aside from that, you will also have salt buildup over a longer period due to lack of drainage. drill a few holes in the bottom and let it drain into the soil side of your tank.

4. Yes, Tillandsias and other epiphytes will do fine attatched to a small vine so long as your humidity is high enough. When you attach your epiphytes, take a pinch of spagnum moss and sandwich it between the plant and the vine. Most epiphytes do not like to be sitting on a highly saturated substrate for more than 2 hours at a time.

[jermajesty]

thanks so much...yea the misting will be the main watering system and i guess ill just drill a hole in the bottom of the tank to drain....

[Agamidae Architect]

At the bottom of the tank? I dont think you need to go that far, as i have seen vivs with the hydroton gravel substrate setup without a hole cut into the tank. Although it wouldn't hurt, you just run the risk of cracking your glass and leakage. Just time your system so it is only putting out the necessary water to maintain humidity and soak your top layer of substrate.

[jermajesty]

oh so just water it enough that it wont soak through much...what if it does a little..will it eventually evaporate or would i have to get it out

[Agamidae Architect]

Yea it's totally fine if a little drains through just make sure your not misting too much or it will slowly buildup and become a problem.

[jermajesty]

Alright. thank you for the advice. About to post pics of the build so far in Palu-general.
check it out.

[Mink]

im going through the new posts so ill look at your new post later, but i would suggest a section somwhere in the tank that goes down to the bottom of the tank and would allow for a suction tube to be used to remove excess water

[jermajesty]

Yea,Mink i saw u posted on my build log. So there will be that black PVC pipe that holds the cords and pump tubes. That should be big enough for me to use a syringe or something to get any excess water out

[Mink]

i would imagine you would want to use something to get out more then a syringe