RETF vivarium needs plant ideas!

[deranged chipmunk]

first, i recommend you get wider pvc pipe than you would think you need for your support struts under the egg crate. so that gives us now the egg crate false bottom. is this tank going to have a water feature? how far from the false bottom is the water going to be? the reason i ask is the "wicking factor". if your water level is too close to the egg crate, it will wick up moisture from below and you will have a bog, instead of a well drained tank. a few ways to combat that are to keep the water level at least an inch below the egg crate, or add hydroton (clay pellets) as a drainage layer on top of the egg crate before adding soil. a lot of people will tell you that that is not necessary, but if you are keeping a close tolerance with water levels, then i think it is necessary to avoid having soggy substrate. remember, soggy substrates grow nasty bacteria, which could affect the health of the frogs. RETF's are sensitive enough without adding another complication.

as far as substrate materials goes, you have a whole lot of options there. your best bet is start building the false bottom. take one step at a time. don't rush anything. keep in mind, this is not an instant gratification hobby. i like to call building vivs "the long con".

[tinkgirl77]

LOL Bill you are definetly right. I'm open to whatever... I'm working with an Exo Terra 18x18x24. .

I'm thinking of doing a little false bottom like this... but much, much simpler.

[tinkgirl77]

The little open part I was going to fill with large river rock pebbles (larger than the little RETF can eat). and put a filter in the corner. The pond area would give me an area to siphon the water from when needed. Do you think I need a water feature? or should I just use the filter like an exo terra repti-clear to keep it clean?

[deranged chipmunk]

i'd stay away from a water feature on your first build. they can be major headaches. what kind of filter did you plan to put in the corner? you would have to lay the repticlear on it's side, otherwise, it stands 9" or so. here's the problem, only you know what you want your tank to look like, so until you have some sort of structure built, i can only give you general ideas. the easy way out would be to get one of those rock waterfalls that holds the filter in it and utilize it flowing into your pond area. don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with going the easy route on your first build.

did you read over my mantella tank build yet? i think alot of your questions may be answered in it. i wrote it as a step by step detailed tutorial. and it incorporates a lot of the features it sound like you are looking for. i normally don't direct people to my build threads, but i think in this case, it might be helpful