Non-messy substrate?

[clintosaurus rex]

I am just starting to setup my bullfrogs new home, and put a glass partition in it. On the water side, I will have gravel, and on the other I was thinking gravel and then something on top, but my mother insists it be something non-messy, like gravel but I don't want my frogs ingesting it nor crickets cramming themselves between huge pieces of rock. Unless coconut coir is less messier than I think it is, is there any safe substrate that when the time comes to dismantle the tank it doesn't leave a muddy mess? Thanks.

[Mentat]

You do not want a muddy mess; that would rot the soil and create a bacteria bloom. Please take a look at this thread and read the part about building a false bottom under the dry area: Frog Forum - Building Dart Frog Terrariums / Tropical Terrarium Construction . Pretty much, you create a space either with egg crate material or clay balls, to raise the soil/shredded coco above the max water level. I would not use gravel in tank at all, leave the water area without substrate for ease of cleaning and use the shredded coco over the false bottom. Good luck !

[fish4all]

Flower pots stuck in expanded clay or other media. No mess when you need to remove the plants or do anything. You can be very creative with what you use for a flower pot to make it look nice and fit in.