Terrarium waterfall

[dani333]

Thanks for all the advice, I was reading in a book that you can use an air conditioner filter between the hydro balls and soil, so that the dirt wont get into the water. What do you guys think about that? also is 100% organic soil okay for the frogs & to grow live plants? Thanks

[Mcbobs]

Air conditioning filters would work, but in my opinion, they can get clogged with the dirt rather fast and stop letting water pass through to the false bottom.

If I were you, I would just get a little bit of window screen or weed block from the hardware store and use that instead. It lets water pass much more freely to the hydroton and seems to have a lot less problems.

[John]

I second what McBobs said. What I do is get normal black fibre glass window screen and lay it on the hydroballs. Then I put a layer of coconut husk (the big chips) over that so that it acts as an extra guard to prevent soil particles getting down into the hydroballs. I just add enough coconut husk to obscure the screening.

[Tropicok]

I had my tank set up today with the waterfall tubing hidden behind a very creative Great Stuff foam background and the water falling down an intricate curved crevice with small plant holes carved into the foam. I have the plastic grid cut and hinged to create a pond in the front side of the tank. I finally found some rubber corks for the drain hole which came pre-drilled in the tank. (I don't recommend drilling a hole in the bottom of a glass tank because it can crack easily). I drove across town to buy some tropical plants which I found had gone up in price .44. OK, whew!, ready to plant when I thought I'm gonna test it one more time with water in it. Of course, it leaked from the crack I had caused....from the drain hole and maybe even across the front of the tank. Long story short, I have disposable plastic gloves this time for the silicone repair I have to do. ALWAYS TEST TO SEE IF YOU HAVE LEAKS BEFORE PLANTING.

[SludgeMunkey]

Rather than AC filters, I prefer to use the egg crate style light diffuser panels (those grids covering fluorescent lights in offices and classrooms) cut to size. I then use plastic needle point mesh over top of that and mount the assembly on risers made from PVC pipe unions. This makes for a great drainage layer that can be accessed with a siphon to drain out water if a PVC pipe riser is hidden in the corner.

[laceface]

Does anyone have a picture of them using the egg crates? im pretty confused on how to set it up.

[Kurt]

Here a picture I found at http://www.vivariumforum.com/

[daziladi]

Ah, love the plastic needlepoint mesh idea! Hated the thought of using metal screen and worried about rusting.