Substrate Questions

[IrishRonin]

Again we really need to know what type of frog your planning on keeping but the problem with gravel and sphagnum is the risk of ingestion and then impaction. I have a gecko tank that has an all tigers eye lagoon, with photos growing out of it and it works fine.

[HerpMan]

This tank will be housing D. leuc.

[flybyferns]

This tank will be housing D. leuc.

Well then,
The gravel and hydro layering will work; but less traditional. Doesn't mean it's wrong.
It's a personal choice. Some people use gravel as a dart substrate.

Saurian Enterprises, Inc :: Two part Terrarium Substrate

There are many, high humidity, plants that will grow in the gravel. The leucs will climb if given the space and places.
Darts will not like ie cocoa fiber stuck to them, it bugs them. Plain cocoa fiber should not be used. It hold too much water and ends up mucky. ABG is more commonly used as the 'soil' layer of substrate for a dart enclosures.
You will find numerous discussions regarding this.

Lynn

[deranged chipmunk]

if you are just starting out with frogs and plants, then i HIGHLY recommend an ABG mix. you can make it yourself, or purchase it ready made. follow that up with a few inches of leaf litter, and you should have no problems whatsoever. i have used it in some of my emersed set ups, and it works perfectly fine. i don't even use regular aquarium gravel in my planted fish tanks. there are so many better, nutrient rich substrates out there. gravel is fine for a turtle tank, or a fish tank with plastic plants, but if you want real plants, you need to upgrade from that stuff.

[HerpMan]

I'm going to look into the ABG mix. It sounds like it gives better options for the plants. Plants I would like to use include some ferns, moss, and several climbing plants. Possibly some falling plants. I want things that will spread throught the tank. I've applied the great stuff on the back of my tank and about ready to cover it with the coco fiber or something of the sort. For the most part part I want my 3d background to be covered with plants that will climb across it.

Thanks for the help so far!
Travis

[deranged chipmunk]

You can't go wrong with ABG. A note about ferns, make sure the species you select are good for high humidity terrariums. Most people believe that all ferns are, but there are many which will rot away in a high humidity environment. I know many people who had nothing but problems with maindenhair ferns, for example. For climbers and trailers, there are a ridiculous amount of options. Ficus, pothos, philodendron, peperomia, pilea, even some fittonia plants are known to trail. Have fun and post pics!!

[IrishRonin]

Hey Bill since we're on the subject what do you use for your Aquatic substrate?