Jayzie Greenfrog

It became necessary to update my large viv I had thought the substrate had sunk so far into the water it had gone sour however when I stripped the bottom out of the tank all was fine and the only source of the smell that I could find was the plug in the manual drain. To explain I have two drains on the tank one attached to the side where I turn a tap and let gravity and suction do the work and another larger tube which stands upright in the tank and with a baster I can suck out any remaining water this has a plug to stop any curious frog from useing it as a hide.

Sorry I digress this blog is intended to show how I rebuilt the tank having left the upper layer intact this is only about putting the bottom back together!


Picture 1 - Shows the tank with the lower level stripped out showing the pipework to the waterfalls in the corner of the tank. The pump is tucked in the back on the left and plants which had been planted but were still attached to the upper ring have their roots bagged to keep them from drying out.



(I am so sorry it has imported it on its side can anyone can tell me how to stop this happening please? )



Picture 2 - Shows the placement of the pump- housing front left, the wall of stones which designates the area of the pool, and it also shows the future position of the stream as well as the wall which is needed to hold back the hydroballs to stop them from falling on top of the pump housing which is lower much lower so ensuring the back will stay above the water level.





Picture 3 - The pump is now connected, the wall for the pool is in place and the hydeoballs have been placed in the tank. Note how the wall is holding back balls on the higher level.





Picture 4 - The fleece has been put in place on top of the balls, I had to cut it to make it fit around the new wall between the upper and lower levels, and the stream located.





Picture 5 & 6 - The cork has been placed to give height. A wooden branch located in the centre back right gives support to the upper level. I covered the pool and later the stream in an effort to keep the soil contained while I planted the plants whose roots had bagged (see picture 1).



(Sorry this is upside down! I cant retake the photo so I have left it in for those of you who are able to stand on your heads 😳 lol)



Picture 7 - Shows the tank fully planted.





Picture 8 - Shows a close up of the pool.





Picture 9 & 10 - The fully planted tank with the waterfall in the corner which empties into the stream. The hidden pump which circulates water from within the hydroballs up to the upper level in the corner of the tank, then via the stream back to the pool.


(I am so sorry about the pic's I think I now know to keep the ipad held only one way lol)



There is also a fogger inlet up in the back lefthand corner of the tank. A heater is hidden outside the tank on the right and the sensor for the habistat is in the centre.


The frogs are now back in their newly cleaned tank and have been investigating their faster flowing stream and slightly deeper but more accessible pool! I hope this has been of interest if anything needs clarifying dont hesitate to ask and I will do my best to explain lol J