substrate mixes?

[BonnieLorraine]

I'm not sure what the UK equivalent to drylok would be, but for the charcoal, garden centers, especially ones dealing with orchids, should carry some form of horticultural charcoal

[Meefloaf]

cheers guys ! i've found things very frustrating when it comes to these things due to terminologies etc because most things on the net are american aha you'd think there'd be one brit doing a viv/terra background using masonry waterproofer, but no aha.

[deranged chipmunk]

believe me, it is just as difficult for us to recommend items as well, since we are unfamiliar with what is available over seas. maybe you can be the pioneer in bridging the gap between the two continents

[Meefloaf]

i shall be passing on any knowledge i gain from this new adventure in my life, once i've got it all set up and going i will have to write it all out.

[flybyferns]

Hi,

Great information for you here !

In October, I built (almost simultaneously) three dart new enclosures. Needless to say , I needed a lot of soil substrate. Note post #8 in this thread; BonnieLorraine is right. I mixed my own - along with with bags of purchased ABG. BUT did not add peat moss, as what I purchased seemed to be more peat than any other ingredient.

I used aquarium charcoal. It's costs more. Beware, if you get big chunk's it's a really dirty job for outdoors to crush it.
DO NOT inhale the dust !!!!!!

I tried crushing one hunk I had in a spring tail culture and that was all I need to convince myself I was not going to do that to make ABG. Note: the in ingredients refer to "fine" charcoal" , this does not mean lg chunks or fine dust. The aquarium charcoal is a perfect size.

The mix is:
2 parts fine fir bark ( sometimes seen as "orchid bark" in the list of ingredients)
2 parts fine tree fern fiber
2 parts milled sphagnum moss
1 part fine charcoal
1 part peat moss

When you add this to the enclosure (on to of the barrier layer) I would highly suggest it be very damp - first.
ie use a big clean bin to mix and dampen ahead of time. You might also consider drilling a drain hold in the back of the tank ( not the bottom) , attaching tubing that goes to a bucket ---- for automating the drainage of extra water. This is especially important if using a misting system or planning to use a misting system in the future. If drained , you will never have to siphon!!!!! Once in a while - I pure in clean ( de-chlorinated) water give things a flush.
It's a simple effective system!

http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...al-plants.html

see post #2
http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...enclosure.html

One of our sponsors
ABG, Atlanta Botanical Garden Mix, Reptile Substrate | Josh's Frogs

Have fun !

[Meefloaf]

awesome info, i will be making my own mix as it seems like fun, as i only have one tank at the moment, if i made up a dry mix of the ingredients and kept it in a bin in a room temperature room would it keep ? can imagine i'd get the bug and end up with another tank or two hehe

[flybyferns]

awesome info, i will be making my own mix as it seems like fun, as i only have one tank at the moment, if i made up a dry mix of the ingredients and kept it in a bin in a room temperature room would it keep ? can imagine i'd get the bug and end up with another tank or two hehe

Sure...it will store well. However, I store my extra........ in 2 gallon zip lock bags.
You don't want any hijackers sharing the goodies !

Seriously-- When it is completely dry ! --- I would store it air tight.
Oh, BTW -- You WILL be needing it for that 2nd tank !!!
Lynn