Problem with naturalistic water dish "wicking" water out

[z10silver]

I have been working on creating a naturalistic setup for a male B. alvarius and I haven't been really impressed with any of the water dishes available on the market. I decided to try something new and covered one of these dishes with a layer of red sand-infused silicone (aquarium safe). The same fine red sand is being used as the substrate in the terrarium. While I think it looks much better, the textured water dish actually seems to be "wicking" the water out, and into the surrounding substrate. I wasn't expecting this! So I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas or suggestions.

Thanks

[NatureLady]

Welcome to the forum!

I like the look of what you did to the bowl and the enclosure is awesome too!

Is the water escaping via the frog? If not, maybe bringing the bowl up out of the substrate just a bit will help keep it from wicking. (just a shot in the dark guess...this surprises me too btw)

[deranged chipmunk]

The sand is causing the wicking action. If you want to keep the bowl natural looking, looks great btw, it becomes a trade off. You're only option would be to cover the work you did with clear 2 part epoxy, however, that will leave it shiny. Adding sand on top to dull it will just cause it to wick moisture again. Sorry, but some things in the viv world are give and take.

[NatureLady]

You so smart Bill.

ha

[flybyferns]

I have been working on creating a naturalistic setup for a male B. alvarius and I haven't been really impressed with any of the water dishes available on the market. I decided to try something new and covered one of these dishes with a layer of red sand-infused silicone (aquarium safe). The same fine red sand is being used as the substrate in the terrarium. While I think it looks much better, the textured water dish actually seems to be "wicking" the water out, and into the surrounding substrate. I wasn't expecting this! So I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas or suggestions.

Thanks

! Mine does the same thing.

[deranged chipmunk]

It's the coating Lynn. Even the smoothest. Of rocks will wick moisture. Water is an amazing element and seems like it has a mind of it's own.

[flybyferns]

It's the coating Lynn. Even the smoothest. Of rocks will wick moisture. Water is an amazing element and seems like it has a mind of it's own.

Mine is exo-terra resin. Maybe it has a leak?

[deranged chipmunk]

Possibly. You use paper towel substrate right? Or is this in one of the dart tanks?

[flybyferns]

Possibly. You use paper towel substrate right? Or is this in one of the dart tanks?

Yes, This little resin dish is in the leuc enclosure. They love it ! Maybe they take the water with them ?

The tree frogs have fabric substrate- not paper towel. I use paper in the quarantine tanks.
The tree frog's soaking dishes are ceramic.