Self Sustaining Vivarium?

[deranged chipmunk]

i can't comment on when to change substrate because i have only had my current viv up for a few months. but i am sure it would be a long time before the substrate would need replacing. yes, you can plant directly into the substrate. some people use pots to make things easier. i.e. rearranging plants, maintenance, ect. and if you are doing a foam background, you just set the pots where you want them and foam around them. easy peasy. don't forget some sort of drainage for the pot as well though. a straw works wonders for that

[DonLisk]

Here is a link to creating a false bottom with eggcrate, and the setup was for WTFs.

as for changing out substrate, if it drains properly and never picks up mites, or other unwanted inhabitants, then the substrate may never have to be changed, nut..... WTFs are pretty abusive to a tank and depending on the amount of animals and how often you remove visible waste/dropping will be the deciding factor here.
My RETF tank has not had the substrate changed in almost two years, smells nice, and the plants grow well without need for anything other than routine trimming of overgrowth.

Hope the link helps.
http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...se-bottom.html

[HerpDerp]

That's an awesome guide! I definitely book marked it. How are WTFs abusive to a tank? I only have one right now and he's been pretty gentle on the tank so far so maybe I just haven't noticed? Oh my word, just as I was typing this I think I got an idea of what you meant. I looked up just in time to see him lunge from one end of a the tank to the other to snag a cricket off the pothos and in the process dislodged part of his climbing vine, nearly broke a leaf off the pothos and then splashed water everywhere when he landed in his water dish. And I didn't even know there was a cricket in there! So I guess I'll construct the vivarium keeping that sort of thing in mind :P.

[deranged chipmunk]

Yup. My white's are constantly rearranging their home. Everyday i come home from work, i have to fix something in their tank.....lol but i have to admit, it is awesome to watch them leap after food. Mine will leap the entire length of their tank for food and it's 3 feet long!! Lol

[IrishRonin]

Well I'm with Don on this one, as long as it drains well and you have isopods and/or springtails to do some cleaning you shouldn't have to change the substrate. Between the poop and the insects you should get plenty of fertilization to keep you plants going no problem. By the way i plant directly into my substrate, that way its less likely your plants will get root bound. I use a small false bottoms of hydroballs and as long as you dont over water it the plant roots usually suck up any excess water no problem

[HerpDerp]

So I had an idea for a false bottom. An undergravel filter kit for an aquarium is a good material and some kits come with a pump and the filter tubing. Would this be a good economical idea? I'm thinking I'm going to get the stuff this weekend and get it done so I'm super excited

[deranged chipmunk]

It probably would work, but egg crate is easier to cut to fit and it will drain better than a ugf.