vivarium drainage

[ortega]

Is it necessary to drain a frog vivarium. If so how is this done with a normal aquarium?

[ChokeOnSmoke]

I dont know if its a must but it would most definitly help with cleaning.
You can dig down to the bottom of one corner of the aquarium and syphon out the water.

[ortega]

what would i syphon it out with, and would i not have to clean the gravel?

[Double J]

Gravel or leca dranage layer is all that is need for a drt frog or mantellas vivarium. You siphon the water out as needed... and this keeps everything in check.
Do a search of the American toad thread and you will see what I mean.

Double J

[ortega]

what can i use to siphon the water out?

[KaHane]

You can syphon the extra water out with a hose and some suction or a turkey basser(sp) if it's only a small amount.

[ortega]

guess I'll have to buy me one of those, anythig I can use home made?

[Double J]

turkey basters are a buck at the dollar store. for a small tank theyll work fine.
For my bigger tanks.. I use those gravel washers with a rubber bulb that suck out water as you squeeze the bulb.They work well.... I use the ones made by penn plax.
Double J

[ortega]

is there a vivarium set up that does not require a gravel layer or have excess water? one with just soil that is misted periodicaly?

[ortega]

ok i found out that a simple terrium may consist of super soil and moss. kinda makes it a little less complex!

[ortega]

I made it with gravel, terrium soil and moss. a pcv pipe going down to the bottom, which i hide with cork bark and will be used to change water once a month with a turkey baster. So for it seems good, but the moss was bought at a nursery and it stinks!! Becides that it all seems good and now I need some plants. I am getting some cuttings from my moms ivy ready, but I need other plants........

[ortega]

here it is