Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: FBTs tracking substrate in their water

  1. #1

    Default FBTs tracking substrate in their water

    The water side keeps getting dirty because of it. Should I try using moss to cover up the substrate? The problem is that the only terrarium moss I have is ugly dead moss that is really loose and stringy and looks like an impaction risk. Is it okay to collect live moss from outside, or could that be toxic/contaminated with chemicals?

  2. # ADS
    Circuit advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Posts
    Many
     

  3. #2

    Default Re: FBTs tracking substrate in their water

    Quote Originally Posted by ArtloverHannah View Post
    The water side keeps getting dirty because of it. Should I try using moss to cover up the substrate? The problem is that the only terrarium moss I have is ugly dead moss that is really loose and stringy and looks like an impaction risk. Is it okay to collect live moss from outside, or could that be toxic/contaminated with chemicals?
    Can we see some pictures of the setup?

    It's bound to happen as they are active little buggers. Once a week I siphon out a small amount of water removing any debris and noticeable feces with some small tubing and that helps the water stay clean. I wouldn't put anything from outside in your tank as it could contain any number of pesticides or fertilizers that would be harmful to them.

    What kind of filter are you using? How much water volume?

    Others have suggested they don't really need a lot of soil and I'm learning that mine do not use it much. I avoid alot of soil in my water by using smooth river stone, not gravel, to transition at the shore line and covered most of the soil with s.moss but I do get a spare piece of spagnum in the water which is easy to just pick out if I desire or siphon once a week. I am running two filters which I'm sure helps keep the water clearer but one should be adequate for smaller tanks. Try and keep your moss together and slightly damp and not separated and dry as this will help avoid impaction and give them a cleaner "bed" to move across without bringing a bunch of soil into the water with them.

    Hope this helps. I'm still learning as I go.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
    Last edited by ericbrookey; August 25th, 2015 at 08:52 PM. Reason: To clarify, I covered the soil with moss, not the river stones.

  4. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Nationality
    [Canada]
    Location
    canada
    Age
    31
    Posts
    14
    Picture Albums: Member Photo Albums

    Default Re: FBTs tracking substrate in their water

    i had live moss and was actually told to buy fake moss because it lasts a lot longer and you will get less mold on it. i also noticed when i used live moss my tank would be dirty within 4 hours of cleaning even with a filter. i currently have no moss and my water is clear and my toads are loving my land area a lot more. Before they would never go on land they would even try to stay in the water to eat but now i am noticing they love both

  5. #4

    Default Re: FBTs tracking substrate in their water

    Quote Originally Posted by Katelyn Forrest View Post
    i had live moss and was actually told to buy fake moss because it lasts a lot longer and you will get less mold on it. i also noticed when i used live moss my tank would be dirty within 4 hours of cleaning even with a filter. i currently have no moss and my water is clear and my toads are loving my land area a lot more. Before they would never go on land they would even try to stay in the water to eat but now i am noticing they love both
    I took all the spagnum moss out and redid the substrate with coco fiber and smooth rocks on top of the soil to help keep it in place and from them tracking too much out. They use the land more often now too as the shade of the plants, smooth rock and soft soil is more appealing to them now I believe. No more impaction risks for sure.

    Good move on your change as well. I think it was the right one.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Water substrate
    By tlro in forum Tree Frogs
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: March 15th, 2014, 11:13 PM
  2. Substrate getting in water
    By Firebellyguy in forum Vivarium, Terrarium & Enclosure Discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: June 25th, 2013, 11:15 AM
  3. Water ?s can i use my fish water for damping substrate?
    By drewnation in forum African Bullfrogs
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: May 1st, 2013, 11:18 PM
  4. just water as substrate
    By mason12 in forum Pacman Frogs
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: July 2nd, 2012, 02:43 PM
  5. Mixing Substrate and Water Feature Water
    By MikeM670 in forum Vivarium, Terrarium & Enclosure Discussion
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: January 11th, 2011, 09:25 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •