how to fix overly moist substrate

[booboo]

Well my substrate has been a little too moist ever since i was trying to mess with a water fall in a 15 high (same footprint as a tne). It has become a problem and has killed a couple plants. I dont want my frogs dehydrated but what can i do?

So far i have put on a complete mesh top with two fans running over it.

Help please asap.

[bgexotics]

Do you have a drainage layer that you can siphon out excess water from? That is what I do, just stick a turkey baster into the leca and suck out all the extra water.

[booboo]

yes i catually do. Will that help i do have about 1 1/2 in of water in there right now. I will siphon it out today.

[elmoisfive]

We had a couple of vivs that got too soggy early on and we sucked the water out of the drainage layer and then misted very lightly everyday. It took time but eventually the substrate became less saturated. Sometimes patience is the only thing you have working for you. Let's just say I learned to be patient :|

Good luck.

Bill

[bgexotics]

Definately siphon out as much water as you can and lightly mist until the soil has dried out. With fans blowing on it and adequate ventilation, it should be ok. I have heard that you can use airline tubing to siphon out water as well.

[melissa68]

Go to the store and get a turkey baster, works wonders for getting the water out of tanks that are too wet.

Originally Posted by bgexotics

Definately siphon out as much water as you can and lightly mist until the soil has dried out. With fans blowing on it and adequate ventilation, it should be ok. I have heard that you can use airline tubing to siphon out water as well.

[booboo]

In my tank i made a place in the back where i can stick a fish gravel siphon tube down and drain the false bottom. I just dont want dehydrated frogs.

[elmoisfive]

If you mist regularly, your frogs won't become dehydrated even if you drain water from your bottom layer. You can either have a humidity gauge in the viv or just use a practiced eye on the degree of "wetness" to help guide you.

This probably goes without saying but it's good practice to have dedicated equipment (turkey baster, siphon tube, etc.) for each viv to minimize the odds of transferring something nasty between vivs.

Bill
Proud owner of 20 turkey basters :roll:

[bgexotics]

I get my turkey basters at the dollar store (Dollar Tree).

[Dane]

This may not be an option, but either make a new batch of better draining substrate, or add a drainage agent to the current mix. i.e. sand, orchid bark, cypress mulch, charcoal. I used to always have to deal with soggy substrate until I started adding them to my mixes.