Creating a Terrarium Drainage Layer Guide - Step-by-Step Instructions for Drainage Layer Construction in Terrariums
In the final stages of setting up a terrarium, a crucial element is the barrier that separates the substrate layer from the rest of the enclosure. This barrier serves to facilitate proper drainage and prevent root rot.
Recommended Materials
When it comes to materials for creating a false bottom or drainage layer, there are several options. Small rocks or stones such as river rock or lava rock can be used to create a 1-inch layer at the bottom for drainage. Another option is plastic or gardening mesh, cut to fit over the rocks, which serves to separate the drainage substrate from the planting substrate above. Lastly, LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) clay pebbles or hydroton balls can be used as an alternative drainage medium, providing good drainage and root aeration.
Steps to Create a False Bottom or Drainage Layer
- Begin by adding about an inch of your chosen drainage material (rocks, lava rock, or LECA) at the bottom of the terrarium or tank.
- Next, cut and place gardening mesh, plastic mesh, or egg crate material over the drainage layer to prevent substrate contamination or mixing, while allowing excess water to flow through.
- On top of the mesh, place your natural substrate or soil suitable for your terrarium plants.
In some setups, such as a paludarium, silicone adhesive may be used to secure foam or mesh structures that form the drainage foundation, ensuring stability for plant growth layers on top. Wet sphagnum moss can also be used as a moisture-retentive layer alongside or on top of the drainage layer in certain terrariums to help maintain humidity.
Additional Considerations
When choosing a barrier material, a fiberglass screen is an unnatural element but can be made less visible from the outside by cutting and placing it accurately. We offer three different sizes of barrier mesh to suit various terrarium sizes. This barrier prevents soil or substrate from falling between the cracks and clogging the reservoir.
In open terrariums, the drainage layer is larger and more straightforward as the main job is to allow water to freely drain away from the substrate. Two approaches to the barrier are the natural approach using a fibrous layer of sphagnum moss, and the artificial approach using a thin mesh or screen. A sphagnum moss layer is natural but needs to be much thicker to perform the same function and can significantly alter the flow of water through a terrarium.
In summary, creating a false bottom or drainage layer in a terrarium involves layering small rocks, plastic or gardening mesh, or LECA clay pebbles with mesh separating the drainage from the planting substrate to ensure proper water drainage and prevent root rot. A fiberglass screen or mesh screen is preferred for its ability to provide peace of mind and less visible appearance if cut accurately.
Gardening the home-and-garden aspect of your lifestyle can extend to creating a terrarium. In the process, using materials like plastic or gardening mesh can function as a barrier, separating the drainage layer from the planting substrate, thus facilitating proper drainage and preventing root rot.
Implementing a false bottom with materials such as small rocks, lava rock, LECA, or gardening mesh, before adding natural substrate or soil, will ensure necessary water drainage for a healthy terrarium lifestyle.
