Self Sustaining Vivarium?

[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.

[ligreys]

Hello,

I have gray tree frogs, not white, sorry for butting in on your thread

But i am in the process of setting up a living vivarium as well and have similar questions. I am using an egg crate false bottom with hydroballs under that. Set up a small waterpump to circulate water up to the substrate layer and flow through a pvc tube (little river effect). Im going to top the dirt layer with sphagnum moss and leaf litter.

Trying to make it self sustaining as possible. Do springtails/isopods have a tendency to leave the viv.? Im using an exo terra 12x12x18 and theres plenty of tiny opening, with it being in my room id rather not have loose bugs running around

What does up keep intail? Assuming the dirt layer will be good for a long time so just clean out the leaf litter, moss, and water every few weeks/months depending how much of a mess the frogs make?

Thanks,
Andrew

[HerpDerp]

These are definitely good questions and exactly the same things I'm wondering. The river effect sounds really cool. I haven't decided if I want to bother with any kind of water feature or not. My plan is to just put some airline hosing for fish tanks from the bottom to the surface and then use a connector piece to connect another hose and siphon water out of the bottom when needed. Cheap, easy and minimalist.

[deranged chipmunk]

the bugs shouldn't leave the viv. i have never had any leave mine, but anything is possible i suppose. just be careful when you work inside the tank to make sure you don't get any on your hands or clothing. that's pretty much the only way they will get out since they can't climb glass. if you are doing an egg crate bottom, you don't need the hydroballs underneath. the hydroballs are used to create a drainage layer, and placing them UNDER the egg crate is just a waste of $10. as far as upkeep, clean the poop, change some of the water every couple weeks (make sure you dechlorinate!!) and you're pretty much good.

[ligreys]

Thanks for the advice

Using the LECA mostly to fill some volume so i dont have a mass amount of water as well as provide more surface area for filtration bacteria to attach to? When i placed the order for everything i figured id just tack it on to have just in case. lol

Have the water situation all worked out, been raising 4 tadpoles for about 6 weeks now. (finally starting to bud front legs) they will be transfered to a 5 gallon tank while the viv is under construction. The 5 gallon will then slowly be transformed into a planted aquarium

[deranged chipmunk]

5 gallon is small for a planted tank. going with microfish or shrimp?