Drainage for 50/50 tank?

[rjm2653]

I have a 50/50 land/water tank that I did with plexiglass and silicone. Now I put moss on top eco earth on top of mesh on top of gravel.The soil is very wet from misting. It may have a slow leak im not sure. every time I mist the water level on the land side rises and its getting close to the dirt and im not sure how to drain it without doing a tear out. Soemone said i could use pvc or something along those lines, but im not sure how to. Does anyone have a video for that or a better idea? Thanks

[Mentat]

I'm confused as to your tank construction, since you mention fiberglass and silicone. Can you elaborate and provide pics if possible? When water leaks are involved it usually means identifying exact location, clean, remove old glue, and re-glue after it dries. Obviously that requires taking set-up apart.

Still; a leak between the dry and wet section should not water log the dry area if the soil is above the water table. That is where a tall enough layer of clay balls come into play. The screen between clay balls and soil should be above the max water table (level). If not, water logging will occur. Also, if you totally sealed the dry area from the wet and your misting is aggressive enough to exceed it's evaporation and it condenses into the dry part eventually the water level would rise above the screen level and create a very wet soil; which could become a bacteria breeding area.

To install a drainage would require drilling the bottom (if not tempered glass) or the back side (away from corners) and installing a bulkhead with associated plumbing. Another option when setting up an enclosure is to install an access tube (like an undergravel filter tube) inserted into a piece of foam to prevent clogging. Then you cap the access tube with a chair leg tip (or similar) until access is needed. To drain insert a smaller diameter clear hose and use gravity to drain liquid into bucket. Just some thoughts and will wait for pics to try and help more, thank you !

[rjm2653]

I can't drill that not an option. Is there a video showing the other option? Here's a pic

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[Mentat]

Sorry but do not have a video. Yes from pic can see what problem is; your soil level is to low . It's lowest point should be above the water level in the other side.

Still, posted a thread about a simple false bottom a couple months back: http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...se-bottom.html . What mentioned in the first post was to get a 1 in. diameter clear lift tube (check local fish shops or web) and cut it so it reaches the tank bottom and clears the top. then get a new piece of foam like they use in aquarium foam filters and fit tube into it (this will prevent tube opening from clogging). Remove substrate layers so the foam and tube are on the bare bottom and replace all layers then.

To drain water from false bottom you insert a clear hose (from small aquarium vacuum gravel cleaner with start bulb) into your tube and start the flow into a bucket. Do not use mouth suction for this, last thing you want is a mouthful of that water ! Good luck !