5 replies to this topic

[johndoe224]

Is pea gravel a good option for a drainage layer in a bioactive vivarium?

[ANTdrew]

Yes, also put some small charcoal chunks on top of that for filtration. You can buy natural wood charcoal at the hardware store and break it up with a hammer. Or just look in the ashes where there's been a fire. You don't want anything with lighter fluid in it, obviously.

[BugFinder]

Yes, also put some small charcoal chunks on top of that for filtration. You can buy natural wood charcoal at the hardware store and break it up with a hammer. Or just look in the ashes where there's been a fire. You don't want anything with lighter fluid in it, obviously.

 

What does charcoal do?  does it absorb waste?  If yes, does it eventually get removed, or transformed some how?  or does the charcoal somehow neutralize the waste  somehow?  or does it do something else?

Edited by BugFinder, March 21 2021 - 10:41 AM.

[ANTdrew]

I’m not sure exactly, but it is a natural filter and probably neutralizes any toxins that may build up overtime.

[justanotheramy]

I used filter charcoal from an aquarium shop in mine, because fish are very easily poisoned so I felt confident it would be safe from contaminates.
Charcoal works as a rough carbon filter; adsorption traps pollutants inside the pore structure.

[AntaholicAnonymous]

I use a layer of gravel, put a mesh on top and then a layer of active carbon filter media.
Also if you make sure you have shallow, dry parts of soil the drainage has an easier time drying if you don't allow that it could mold.
Ants are gonna get in the drainage eventually and bacteria will get in there so better make sure the air can move around peoperly