Understanding Substrate Layers in a Dart palu

[flynmnky]

I'm having a hard time understanding the substrate layering for a planted dart paludarium. Thinking of doing an eggcrate / great stuff build with a waterfall. i am using mesh cups embedded in the great stuff for rooted plants, and planning lots of epiphytes in the upper layers. But for the floor of the land layer, what goes there? I use a mesh soil blocker, then what? coco fiber, leaf litter? How do you layer it? Seems like people do it a lot of different ways...

Also, for the water portion, darts don't swim, correct? So an aquarium gravel might be ok there because they really couldn't eat it, could they?

[ToadPaparazzi]

Here is how I set mine up (I don't like weed block, it doesn't drain well in my experience):

From top to bottom:
Leaf litter (2+ inches)
ABG mix (2+ inches)
Sphagnum (1/2 - 1 inch)
Fiberglass screen
Egg crate false bottom

[deranged chipmunk]

I am basically the same except i double or triple the screen to prevent anything falling below the false bottom and clogging my pump. And i use a different soil than everybody....lol

[ToadPaparazzi]

I am basically the same except i double or triple the screen to prevent anything falling below the false bottom and clogging my pump.

I use a layer of sphagnum on top of the screen. This allows for proper drainage and acts as a good block against debris getting under the false bottom.

[deranged chipmunk]

You use the long fiber right? How often do you change it? It has a tendency to rot pretty badly when it is kept moist and dark.

[flynmnky]

So we are talking about five inches of substrate? Wow, I had no idea it was this deep. That really changes the way I am setting up my enclosure...

I am def. going with a false bottom. Does your bottom level have a lip that holds all your substrate from tumbling into the water. Or do you just slope down to the water level...

Do you have to change out your substrate ever?

Thanks so much guys, want to get all this straight before I start my build to avoid problems later. :-)

[ToadPaparazzi]

I use ABG and don't change out substrate. It holds up very well. The leaf litter will eventually break down and add to your substrate. I wrap my egg crate false bottom in fiberglass screen.

[flynmnky]

Sorry, I got that part about the fiberglass screen. What I'm wondering is if your bottom level has sides, like a big cup or deep sided pan, to keep the substrate from falling in the water. Sorry for the confusion. Also, where do you buy fiberglass screen? Are we talking window screen?

[ToadPaparazzi]

Fiberglass screen can be purchased at hardware stores and yes, it is window screen.

I usually use a piece of cork or tree fern or stone/gravel as a dam around the water area.

[deranged chipmunk]

Obviously, i created a lip for mine because of the design. But you can be creative with it. You can use a branch, or rocks, or anything your brain can come up with.

[flynmnky]

So I'm thinking I'm gonna taper the substrate off toward the edges, then use probably a pebble barrier to transition into the water....
Does this need to cycle in any way?