Just started my build, 1st timer :)

[J Teezy]

may want to look into using growstones instead of Hydroton.

check this out Growstone Demonstration at Max Yield Show in Denver, CO - March 2012 - YouTube

[deranged chipmunk]

may want to look into using growstones instead of Hydroton.

check this out Growstone Demonstration at Max Yield Show in Denver, CO - March 2012 - YouTube

I watched this video a couple times now and i'm not seeing where growstones would be more advantageous than LECA in out application of it. Am i missing something?

[J Teezy]

absorbs the water instead of repelling it. Higher humidity. I personally don't like excess water just hanging out in the bottom of my tanks, hence why i use drains, but if i wasn't going to have a drain i would use growstones personally. Plus if you can see your drainage layer i think growstones looked better to the eye than hydroton

[deranged chipmunk]

If using it in it's intended application, i think it would be brilliant. But as a drainage layer, i think it would be detrimental. First off, no matter what their claim, it doesn't "absorb" water. Wicking allows the water to reach all it's pores. And underneath the substrate, i would believe that would be a wonderful place for nasty anaerobic bacteria to grow. And a lot of it at that. I agree it would look more appealing than hydroton. But j disagree that it would create more humidity, except in an application like yours where it is constantly drained.

[mariebaby21]

My plants came today! So I decided to go with the hydroton. I used 10 liters of it which gave me about 2.5 inches at the bottom of the tank. I rinsed the hydroton about 4 times to get the water to run clear. Tomorrow, all of my dry goods should arrive, ie... ABG, leaf litter, screen for between the layers of hydroton and the ABG, lighting, coco huts.. I'm so excited! I've got springtails coming too
I made a couple of small errors by going to fast, but that was mainly not getting parts of the great stuff completely covered. I will just cover those areas with a plant I'll take pics tomorrow of my progress

[deranged chipmunk]

You're on your way. Can't wait to see pics!!

[mariebaby21]

Here are pics! All I need is to let it grow and then add my frogs! How many leucs can I put in this? It's 20g regular


First is of the finished product! Second is a top view looking down into it. Third is a pic I took outside before I brought it in and watered and misted it.
What do you think? I've never done this before so I'm pretty proud

[mariebaby21]

[deranged chipmunk]

that looks awesome Marie you did a heck of a job for it being your first time. be very proud of what you built if it were me, i would only put 2 leucs in.