Cleaning and redoing Retf terrarium

[skeet9924]

I am planning on cleaning my Retf terrarium for the first time.. In curious what I use to clean the terrarium and what I use to clean the plants and vines ( all artificial) .. Also since I didn't put a drainage layer in it the first time.. I'm planning in doing that .. I have aquarium gravol that I am going to lau down with mesh covering .. The substrate and I bought some moss..

I'm curious with the drainage layer how to set it up properly so the water doesn't just sit there.. I've heard some people say a drainage pool or just keeping an area to syphin .. I have a fairly small terrarium ..

Does anyone have any links where I can see diagrams or pictures??

Sorry I know it's a lot of questions but I want to get it fight this time.. Thanks!!

[thadmy]

As for cleaning everything I do a 10:1 water to bleach ratio to soak plastic things in. I let them soak in there for an hour then place in a bucket of clean water and change the entire bucket of water out every 15-20 minutes until the smell of bleach is gone.

As for a picture of how to do them check this link

Sorry Don I stole your old thread:
http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...se-bottom.html

[thadmy]

just instead of using the egg crate use the rocks instead

[skeet9924]

I currently dont have a pump...is there something else i could do for now?

[thadmy]

Yeah you don't have to put anything under it what I do is I bought a turkey baster and you can leave a space in the corner uncovered with dirt so you can lift up the screen and put the baster down in the rocks and suck up the water. Same process put rocks everywhere except in one corner then you have space for the bottom of the baster.

[flybyferns]

I am planning on cleaning my Retf terrarium for the first time.. In curious what I use to clean the terrarium and what I use to clean the plants and vines ( all artificial) .. Also since I didn't put a drainage layer in it the first time.. I'm planning in doing that .. I have aquarium gravol that I am going to lau down with mesh covering .. The substrate and I bought some moss..

I'm curious with the drainage layer how to set it up properly so the water doesn't just sit there.. I've heard some people say a drainage pool or just keeping an area to syphin .. I have a fairly small terrarium ..

Does anyone have any links where I can see diagrams or pictures??

Sorry I know it's a lot of questions but I want to get it fight this time.. Thanks!!

Hi skeet,

These links may help?

New England Herpetoculture LLC - Vivarium Construction 101

New England Herpetoculture LLC - 10 Commandments of Vivarium Building

Building An Arboreal Vivarium

Terra5Designs | Naturalistic Vivarium Landscaping-Building Living Environments for Reptiles and Amphibians


Lynn

[J Teezy]

if you use an eggcrate FB you don't need a rock layer. Eggcrate > soil > leaf litter and you should be set

[skeet9924]

Thanks everyone!! This was a great help!! I cant wait to get my froggy all cleaned up!!!

[J Teezy]

just make sure you cover your eggcrate with fiberglass window screen so that the soil doesn't get underneath the false bottom

[skeet9924]

I bought some window screen last night I've started my process !! This could take awhile!! Do you clean the class in the terrarium at all ? And if so with what.. Just warm water?

[J Teezy]

i just use a wet paper towel to wipe the glass, i think someone said you could use lemon juice to get off stuborn stains but don't quote me on that

[skeet9924]

Thanks!!!

[skeet9924]

One more question.. How do I clean the styrofoam background for the exo terra set up?

[J Teezy]

probably something like a soft bristled toothbrush with some water, I've never dealt with cleaning one but I'd probably not scrub to hard on it

[skeet9924]

Thanks everyone!! Almost done.. Just at the point of rinsing my plants from the bleach .. Leap is going to live his clean home .. After the stress of moving him is over with lol.. Today was my first time touching him ... I was so scared!!!