Mossy Frog build

[NatureLady]

So my (single) Mossy is in quarantine and I have many different tanks laying around. So what are your thoughts...

Do I build in the 10 or the 20 tall?

My idea thus far...
A karst like cave along the shore line of the tank with a hill of plants towards the top...slow water feature dripping over the top of the cave and into the water (like many caves I have been in).

I always hear that limestone is bad to use in vivs, but if the species is from limestone streams, would it be useable?

I am thrilled to be building this and I need it too. Suggestions....now go!

[deranged chipmunk]

20 tall....go big or go home!!LOL first off, i like the concept. very cool. how much water are we talking about? 50/50? 70/30? as far as limestone, i can't be positive about safe for the frog. i would imagine that a majority of limestones are pretty much alike, as far as how they affect water chemistry. they are all going to make it hard and alkaline. i would imagine that if it were a wc frog, that would be fine, but a cb, i wouldn't risk. but disregarding the frog for a moment, let's look at the other stuff you're gonna have in the tank. unless you use plants from a limestone stream, any plants you put in it are going to HATE the water. especially over time. most plants like a nice, neutral to soft and acidic water/soil combo. your soil mix may help to buffer it a bit. but probably not enough. but here's the biggie. water spots. you will be constantly cleaning water spots off after a few months (maybe less) you know those dishwasher liquid commercials with all the hazy glasses? there ya go

[froglover4evr]

Clay Substrate How-To - Dendroboard this is a great link on making a great substrate...i dont know much but from what i do know limestone is better left out of the cage...20 vert for sure....i think that would be a great idea!!!! just make sure you use the proper supplies! just wanted to remind you so you have no leaks....i would love to see pics of the final product...just remember that since you have the frog you dont have much time to complete it

[NatureLady]

Thanks guys! I knew I could count on you, Bill, to chime in!

Limestone ledges sounded cool, but I didn't really expect anyone to say that they would be a good idea. lol! I am no artist, so I will spare you from seeing any drawings having to do with this project. The 20 gallon was decided and I even wrote a nice long reply on this thread, then my internet decided to crash on me. I have a nice lid for the 20 and would have had to purchase a new lid for the extra 10 that I have lying around. I have a lot of supplies already, but I also have a list of needs that is building faster than this build is.

Bill-What species of moss would do good with semi aquatic to total aquatic and a 12 hour light schedule? Oh and cool temps. Moss has never been a plant I have purchased and wrong season to harvest local stuff. Oh and your suggestion on a sub filter for the water...would you say one like your last build???

Steve-Thanks for the input also. My little friend has a nice spacious 10 gallon tank it is currently calling home. I always keep a hospital/quarantine tank laying around for safe measure. The little dude is tiny.

[deranged chipmunk]

Amanda, i've got you covered on moss. No worries let me know if you want some sheet moss or pillow moss as well. My plant shop sells it for $6. I know zoomed sells that frog moss for cheap, but i have never been able to get it to grow like the stuff i get from my plant girls. Otherwise, i can link you to a quality supplier when i get home.

Submersible filters are pretty much going to be determined on how much room you have, where you plan on placing it and whether or not you plan on having it run your water feature as well.

Which brings me to my next question, how are you planning on running you water feature? Let me know if you need a pump. I get reptiflo 250 pumps for $7 anything you need let me know. Just cover costs of what i pick up for you, shipping is on me call it my little contribution....

Oh, and i won't tell you what the first word out of my mouth was when i saw you got a mossy......lmao!!

[deranged chipmunk]

I forgot to ask. Are you going with a specific "theme"? Are you going with local plants? Big box plants? Or plants that are mostly endemic to se asia? I do have a bunch o'aquatics/marginals from se asia in case you decide to go that route. I can also hook you up with domestics as well.

[flybyferns]

Amanda, i've got you covered on moss. No worries let me know if you want some sheet moss or pillow moss as well. My plant shop sells it for $6. I know zoomed sells that frog moss for cheap, but i have never been able to get it to grow like the stuff i get from my plant girls. Otherwise, i can link you to a quality supplier when i get home.

Submersible filters are pretty much going to be determined on how much room you have, where you plan on placing it and whether or not you plan on having it run your water feature as well.

Which brings me to my next question, how are you planning on running you water feature? Let me know if you need a pump. I get reptiflo 250 pumps for $7 anything you need let me know. Just cover costs of what i pick up for you, shipping is on me call it my little contribution....

Oh, and i won't tell you what the first word out of my mouth was when i saw you got a mossy......lmao!!

Hi Bill,
What is the address of the plant shop in Philly? Thanks
Lynn

[Heatheranne]

I'd love to see an update too . P.S. The groovy jacuzzi water bowls are awesome. I have them in my pac tanks. They set down into the substrate and they have little built in steps making it easy to get in and out of .

[NatureLady]

Hi guys! Thanks for checking on me and the build.

Christmas for two very amazing little girls is over and I can start back on this project. No, I didn't build while on break for Christmas. Memories with the kids needed to be made. I am only one person so it takes a lot to make Christmas magic. I am much more dedicated to parenting then this project. I also had other personal issues to deal with that were not needed, but happened all the same.

Things are going, but as I have stated before living in small town America is a real pain sometimes. I wasn't able to buy everything that I needed and will have to make a trip to a better store before it is all said and done. (I will probably just order the rest online...but I need an excuse for big town retail therapy...) Ummm...let's see what else...OH! I already knew that I suck at drawing a straight line, well with the use of my father’s power tools I cut the pvc, and I also learned I can't cut in a straight line. So that gave me more work than it should have. But everything is planned out in my head and the majority of it is drawn onto paper/tank sides. Egg crate is cut and sitting in its place. The waterfall part is still playing out in my head and I am working on that today.


So question time...GE II Silicone has a mold/mildew inhibitor...I thought that this was unsafe for builds?

[deranged chipmunk]

Glad to hear everything is good yes, kids are more important that anything at christmas time. After all, it's their holiday

I can't cut a straight line either, that's why i use a chop saw......lol sounds like you're making progress though. And yes, the stuff with with the mold inhibitors is bad. There are several versions of silicone ii. I like the brown, but it's a personal preference.

Any thoughts on what plants you want to go with? I have several ferns you can use, a ridiculous amount of ficus pumilia, some large leafed creeping charlie, some fittonias, some pileas species, angelwing begonia, shall i go on? Lol

[NatureLady]

I sent you a pm Bill. As for plants...I would love the ferns, anything creeping that will over take the wall, any moss, marginal, or aquatic....

Oh what do you use as your aquatic substrate? Flourite or eco-complete is what I have researched as possibilities...yes I have been browsing planted tank forums

Back to the plants...you might want to pm me a list of what you have so I can search for photo's of them for my visual aid.

[deranged chipmunk]

I got you covered have you been stalking me on another forum? Because that would be cool.....lol i use different substrates for different purposes. Flourite is a good substrate, but it is a pain in the butt!! Eco is good, but it is light, almost to the point of floating....lol currently, my top 3 are red sea flora base, floramax (i think, it's sold at petsmart), and kitty litter
I'll pm you a list tonight with pics

[Heatheranne]

Really? Kitty litter? Do you mix anything in with it? Very interesting.

Glad to hear you had a nice holiday with the girls .

[deranged chipmunk]

Nope.....straight, unscented kitty litter. Same stuff you would use to do a clay background.

[Heatheranne]

And you plant right into it under the water?

[deranged chipmunk]

yes indeedy i like to use it as a cap over dirt or soiless soil. my heavy root feeders like crypts, swords and vals LOVE the stuff. here's a pic og my 30g kitty litter "set it and forget it" shrimp tank

close up....see? just kitty litter with my special dirt under it

[Heatheranne]

What's the special dirt?

[deranged chipmunk]

It's a soiless hydroponics growing medium. I use it exclusively in all my tanks and vivs. I'll post a pic of the brand later, gotta do some trading with a planted tank buddy in a few minutes

[Heatheranne]

Great, thanks!

[deranged chipmunk]

as promised. this is what i use Heather. it is chock full of all the good stuff plants love, coco fiber, peat moss, perlite, pumice, compost, mulch, worm castings, bat guano, kelp meal, fish bone meal, soybean meal, feather meal, greensand, leonardite and alfalfa meal. (direct from the ingredient list on the bag)


i used to use another brand, but my soil went TOO acidic. turns out they started making it in South Carolina instead of California and stopped using redwood mulch. so i tested a few brands and ended up with this one that i really like, and so do my plants