Impaction

[elliotulysses]

You will need to completely break down the tank to do soil -- it can be VERY messy.. why not just go sand and root tabs? I grow water sprite, vals, crypts, ect with sand and root tabs. My tank is an overgrown jungle. If you do a dirted tank you'll need a really good 2" sand cap because the frogs will kick up the sand regularly. If you get dirt into your water column it becomes really messy really fast.

I really think since you're new to keeping clawed frogs you'd be better off with just a 2-3" layer of sand and root tabs. What are you growing that requires dirt?

I was in the same boat you were two years ago. I had river rock and I wanted sand and plants. What I did was I put the frogs in a temporary location, a 5 gallon bucket works. I rinsed the sand out very good, removed the water from the tank (mostly), removed the river rock and added the sand. You can actually keep some of the river rock in there, the sand will cover it up anyways.

Huh. I had it suggested to do that method by someone on here, but I can already see my "darlings" digging through to the soil, but I will keep root tabs in mind.

I had a thread on the plants forum, asking to suggest good "starter" plants that would be great for ACFs. So far, I have found java ferns, java moss, and amazon swords to be a hardier plant.

Right now I have a fake overgrown jungle, but it looks fairly natural and my frogs just can't help themselves to go and hide in the plants. I personally think they like them more than the "caves" (hollowed out buddah head and terra cotta vase with tons of holes to come in and out).

So ultimately:

Would you suggest sand? And just to double check; the play sand at a lowes or home depot will be fine?
Because I looked at the bags of aquarium sand and the prices seemed outrageous for the amount they were giving :|

[mpmistr]

I like caribsea moonlight sand because it's a very fine smooth grain sand but it's not 'good' for holding down plants and it is fairly expensive. I think playsand would work perfectly fine so long as you rinse it out before adding it.

[elliotulysses]

I like caribsea moonlight sand because it's a very fine smooth grain sand but it's not 'good' for holding down plants and it is fairly expensive. I think playsand would work perfectly fine so long as you rinse it out before adding it.

Cool! I'll look into the carbisea moonlight sand.
Maybe I can do a bottom thicker layer of the play sand and do the carbisea over it. Mainly because I really like the look of it! Then I will have the heavier sand to plant my plants?

[mpmistr]

Cool! I'll look into the carbisea moonlight sand.
Maybe I can do a bottom thicker layer of the play sand and do the carbisea over it. Mainly because I really like the look of it! Then I will have the heavier sand to plant my plants?

If you layer sand it will eventually completely mix in with the other. That being said, it still would help keep plants down. I am able to keep water sprite and vals rooted in it, the frogs do not kick it up that often and once the root structure gets a firm hold, the frogs cannot kick it up.

[elliotulysses]

If you layer sand it will eventually completely mix in with the other. That being said, it still would help keep plants down. I am able to keep water sprite and vals rooted in it, the frogs do not kick it up that often and once the root structure gets a firm hold, the frogs cannot kick it up.

Ah, so it wouldn't truly matter if I mixed the sands or not. Maybe I should save myself some cash and just get the play sand, eh?

[carsona246]

I use playsand, and without root tabs do not have difficulties growing low light plants. If I were you, I'd go the super cheap route. I've heard mixing sand is usually not a good idea, becuase the sand will eventually mix together, and instead of having 2 distinct layers, you'll just have a mix of sand grains.

[elliotulysses]

I use playsand, and without root tabs do not have difficulties growing low light plants. If I were you, I'd go the super cheap route. I've heard mixing sand is usually not a good idea, becuase the sand will eventually mix together, and instead of having 2 distinct layers, you'll just have a mix of sand grains.

Which low light plants do you use? I figured a java fern would probably be good, as most ferns are plant that likes shade. Well, at least in outdoor gardening!