Let's talk substrates

[nirotorin]

That ABG substrate sounds pretty interesting. I may have to make my own version using materials I can find locally.

[deranged chipmunk]

ADA soils are in fact safe to use in a frog tank, BUT, they release a ridiculous amount of ammonia while the tank cycles. You should cycle it in an aquarium, monitoring levels and doing constant water changes until the tank cycles then i would transfer it to a viv.

For what it is worth, i use a soiless soil mix used for hydroponics growing and a layer of cocofiber in all my tanks and my plants love me for it. Also, all soil becomes "bio-active" over time.Like an aquarium denitrifying bacteria are present in soil. It's how soil breaks down nitrogen so plants can use it. Bio-active soils are just seeded with bacteria, nothing more.

[never quit]

ADA soils are in fact safe to use in a frog tank, BUT, they release a ridiculous amount of ammonia while the tank cycles. You should cycle it in an aquarium, monitoring levels and doing constant water changes until the tank cycles then i would transfer it to a viv.

For what it is worth, i use a soiless soil mix used for hydroponics growing and a layer of cocofiber in all my tanks and my plants love me for it. Also, all soil becomes "bio-active" over time.Like an aquarium denitrifying bacteria are present in soil. It's how soil breaks down nitrogen so plants can use it. Bio-active soils are just seeded with bacteria, nothing more.

That bioactive soil sounds interesting......Currently I use Eco Earth....My take on reading the replies is it's more natural, and will decompose the frog feces, thus you have a stable environment?.....Much like a fish tank with all live plants compared to all plastic plants....I have ONLY live plants in my tanks. But anyway, you say you have to cycle this?....The same way as cycling a fish tank?
If someone will tell me how to set this up, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks
Lloyd

[deranged chipmunk]

no, you need to cycle ADA Aquasoil prior to using it in a vivarium due to the amount of ammonia it releases.

Eco-earth is nothing more than ground up and processed coconut fibers. It in no way will just decompose feces. Bacteria needs to build up in a vivarium in order for that to happen. And it's not like it will magically disappear overnight. That is why we recommend microfauna (isopods and springtails) that actually feed on feces and decaying plant matter.

[never quit]

no, you need to cycle ADA Aquasoil prior to using it in a vivarium due to the amount of ammonia it releases.

Eco-earth is nothing more than ground up and processed coconut fibers. It in no way will just decompose feces. Bacteria needs to build up in a vivarium in order for that to happen. And it's not like it will magically disappear overnight. That is why we recommend microfauna (isopods and springtails) that actually feed on feces and decaying plant matter.

Bill: So can you give me a procedure for cycling the ADA soil....And, if the isopods and springtails handle the solid waste, what about the urine?.....While this seems very interesting, I have NO idea about this, so if you can be a litlte detailed, I'd appreciate it.

From reading this thread, the bioactive soil seems to be THE way to go, more natural, less maintenance once it's setup....If that's true, why aren't more pacman and african bullfrog keepers using it?......Well, maybe they are, I just haven't been paying attention, but from my readings, the Eco earth coco fiber seems to be the standard substrate.

Thanks for you help
Lloyd

[deranged chipmunk]

Lloyd, i can link you to a site that has discussed using Aquasoil heavily, but why go through all of that when there are so many other substrates that are safer? remember, ADA Aquasoil is designed to be used in planted aquariums,not necessarily vivariums. the cycling process is essentially that of cycling a new aquarium, but could take up to six weeks before it's ready for use.

[never quit]

Lloyd, i can link you to a site that has discussed using Aquasoil heavily, but why go through all of that when there are so many other substrates that are safer? remember, ADA Aquasoil is designed to be used in planted aquariums,not necessarily vivariums. the cycling process is essentially that of cycling a new aquarium, but could take up to six weeks before it's ready for use.

Bill: Good point....I was just thinking with the bioactivity, it would be more natural for the frog, and after the initial setup, less maintenance.......But I wasn't aware of the cycling process. Thanks for changing my mind!

[poison]

ADA soils are in fact safe to use in a frog tank, BUT, they release a ridiculous amount of ammonia while the tank cycles. You should cycle it in an aquarium, monitoring levels and doing constant water changes until the tank cycles then i would transfer it to a viv.

For what it is worth, i use a soiless soil mix used for hydroponics growing and a layer of cocofiber in all my tanks and my plants love me for it. Also, all soil becomes "bio-active" over time.Like an aquarium denitrifying bacteria are present in soil. It's how soil breaks down nitrogen so plants can use it. Bio-active soils are just seeded with bacteria, nothing more.

Though bacteria is the main part of bioactive substrate they're are also other critters crawling around in it. Microbes, substrate mites and if you choose too add them in then earth worms, isopods and spring tail (though there is a species thast usually makes its way into my enclosures withot me adding them).

My cornsnake enclosure has been up and running for over a year, never once cleaned (other then spot cleaning obvious waste matter). It smells nice and fresh to this day. Heres a nice read http://www.geckotime.com/bio-active-reptile-substrate/ You can also read more about in "The art of keeping snakes" book.

[poison]

A great way of building up helpful bacteria in your enclosure is to go out and get leaf litter from the woods.