Best gravel for drainage layer?

[TxScarlet15]

I'm setting up a natural viv for my MBK and I want to try something different for this one than what I did for my GBK. Someone commented on one of my previous threads that I could try a layer of gravel on the bottom for drainage, so I'm wondering what is the best size gravel to use. Should I use something like this Quikrete 50 lb. All-Purpose Gravel-115150 - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-All-Purpose-Gravel-115150/100318444?) Or more like this one Vigoro 0.5 cu. ft. Pea Pebbles-54255 - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-0-5-cu-ft-Pea-Pebbles-54255/202523000?) Is there something else anybody would suggest? And I was thinking of just using this New York Wire 36 in. x 84 in. Charcoal Fiberglass Insect Screen FCS8558-M-FCS8558-M - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/New-York-Wire-36-in-x-84-in-Charcoal-Fiberglass-Insect-Screen-FCS8558-M-FCS8558-M/100397104) to put between the gravel and dirt layer, would that be alright? Any and all suggestions are welcome!

[trailblazer295]

In my vine snake tank I went with a 2" layer of hydroballs, screen and then a dirt/cypress mulch mix. It's a live planted tank but much higher humidity requirements, I have a misting system setup and will be periodically water the soil with aquarium water to help add nutrients. Due to the higher amount of water I wanted to make sure I had proper drainage. Not sure how much would translate to a lower humidity MBK tank.

[Tiny Boidae]

The screen should be fine, I personally used spare window screen for my water dragons. Just make sure the holes are itty bitty and you'll be golden.

Personally, I wouldn't use gravel. I've only used it in the fish tank terms, and it tends to be Ground Zero as far as bacteria go. Beneficial or harmful, I don't think it matters when the water isn't in direct contact with the animal, but regardless your cage would probably start smelling like fish within the month. I, personally, used lava rocks as I've heard gravel isn't the best, and while I don't know if these work any better (my enclosure always smells off, especially after they defecate in the water), that's just my two cents. Good luck on the enclosure :)

[TxScarlet15]

What if I were to mix the soil with sphagnum moss or maybe coconut fiber? I mostly like what I have for my GBK except that the soil is so dry all the time, even when I mist it the humidity stays around 20-25%. I would like to be able to get it up to at least 30% and to be able to have soil that doesn't feel like a desert all the time.

[Tiny Boidae]

What exactly do you use for the soil currently? I used to live in an area where there were Mexican Blacks, though I only ever found one though when I was poking around in my old shed. Regardless, they tend to live in this arid, dusty kind of habitat. A lot of clay and dirt, not too much sand or moisture. Moist soil can lead to scale rot and blisters in too high of frequencies, so frankly I wouldn't try to do anything with the soil directly. Just a thought, but why don't you try adhereing a sponge to the inside wall of your enclosure and spraying it when needed? That way your King Snake isn't exposed to unnaturally damp soil, and you still get an added boost of humidity. Just a thought.

[eminart]

Use the pea gravel, not the limestone stuff.

[TxScarlet15]

Is it necessary to have a drainage layer for this type of setup? What are the possible disadvantages of not having one? I've been trying to research and see what other people have done and suggest but there isn't a whole lot of information for arid vivariums. Also, how do I go about heat-treating wood?

[Tiny Boidae]

I think this will help you then:

Bioactive Soil as a Substrate Choice | Bearded Dragon Forum (http://www.beardeddragonforum.com/threads/bioactive-soil-as-a-substrate-choice.11152/)

[jarich]

I would definitely recommend a drainage layer for any set up, arid or otherwise. Its cheap and simple to do and gives you piece of mind when watering. Id recommend the hydroton (expanded clay) balls over gravel for a couple reasons. First, the weight difference is pretty crazy. I have used gravel in the past when I ran out of hydroton and it does the job just fine, but it weighs a LOT more. I occasionally move my enclosures when I get a nice new piece of furniture or something, and there is a huge difference in moving one with gravel in the bottom compared to hydroton. The other thing is that hydroton will wick water back up into the soil, which is good.

As for soil mix, I really keep the sphagnum, coconut coir, eco earth stuff to a minimum. Its all just humic additive, and while that is important, it shouldnt constitute more than about 10% of the mix unless you are specifically growing orchids and the like. For MBKs and most reptiles, Id recommend still using a high ratio of topsoil and keeping it moist at depth. Im not saying wet of course, but moist enough so that you can allow the 1/4 to 1/2 inch at the top of the soil to dry out between waterings. Also, and this is important, leaf litter, moss, etc covering the soil is important. Not only does it help protect the soil's moisture while not having the worry about scale rot for the snake, but it also provides microhabitats for your invertebrate bioactivity. Most people forget this important step and their soil bioactivity is worse for it.

[eminart]

For the record, gravel also wicks water up into the soil.

[jarich]

Some yes, you are correct, but much reduced compared to expanded clay.

[TxScarlet15]

I started the viv today and will be posting updates in my other thread http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/lampropeltis/110072-new-addition-mbk.html. Thank you all for the wonderful help and information!