False Bottom for GTFs?

[rjm2653]

Do I need a false bottom for my GTF tank? It will have no deep water, just a lot of live plants and a large soak dish that is buried under the substrate. If so I need to find a guide on making one.

[kueluck]

I recommend having the bottom drilled if the glass isn't tempered and if it is tempered. Replace the glass and have it drilled to it can drain out excess water so your plants root won't rot. You can rig it up to drain into a bucket below, or make a stand and have it drain into a pan. I've done it both ways and it's the ONLY way to go with a planted tank. I'm going to get some fabric trim to finish off the outside to hide the “ugly”.

This is a 20 gallon. I replaced the bottom glass so if could be drilled.

Exo Terra 18x18x24 that drains into a plastic trash can

29 gallon critter cage done the same way as the 20 gallon. Drilled in the center with a 1.5" bulkhead to drain into a pan.

Hope this helps.

[deranged chipmunk]

If you don't want to go through the drilling process or added expenses of replacing the bottom of a tank, you can go with a simple leca drainage layer set up.

Just place an inch or two of a drainage layer (leca, gravel, pebbles) then a layer or two of fiberglass screen (or fiberglass matting) then your substrate on too of that. Don't forget to add a drainage tube in so you can drain off excess water.

[rjm2653]

What kind of tube and how would I drain it?

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[deranged chipmunk]

You can use silicone tubing used for airline in aquariums. Cut a small piece of natural sponge and place it on the end under the substrate (prevents clogging). You can put a small valve at the end that is outside the tank (make sure this end is below the tank bottom) and you'll only have to suck on the tubing once. When you drain off enough water, close the valve and the siphon will hold. Next time you need to drain, just open the valve.

[rjm2653]

What kind of valve do I need? And should the piece of sponge be attached to the tubing?

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[deranged chipmunk]

I wrote a post about it:
http://www.frogforum.net/showthread.php?t=25606

[Ted]

Gail...would you do this for just a regular terrarium? One with just plants ,no animal..

[kueluck]

Yes, and I have. The 20 gallon & 29 gallon just have plants in it. This way I don't have to worry about the root rot & for me it's the only way to go.

Gail...would you do this for just a regular terrarium? One with just plants ,no animal..

[FwoGiZ]

I have tried at least 5 planted vivarium with drilled drain methods,
5 with LECA/hydroton
and around 40 with eggcrate false bottom...
tells you which one I like the best eh?:P

One bad cons about drilling holes for a drain is the leak potential...and then the tubing.. kinda annoying specially if you have a frog room... then also sometimes the buckets fills up so fast that they start spilling around cause I haven't emptied em... definitely not the only way to go!!! Also, plants who like to wet feet won't like your drain. Another thing is since the drain won't be exactly in the lowest point of the glass, there could still be small water accumulation, which will be logged in your substrate, unless you have LECA or eggcrate false bottom.

LECA is nice, cheap and easy but I definitely like eggcrate better because it's similar to start with, but more versatility. You might have to siphon LECA false bottom at some point but if well sustained, eggcrates never need to be emptied it... it keep the substrat moist from under (not clogged) and evaporates fast enough. and if you want to have a small pond, it's doable with this type of false bottom!
personally, I like to still keep a corner separated from the rest of the vivarium, which I can drop a lil pump in if I want to make a dripwall, plus moving water is better too.
This way the roots won't rot. Actually you can have both types of plants in there as those who likes to keep their feet wet, will just have their roots directly in the water, as they want while those other plants will stay in you moist aerated substrat


So to answer your question, yes literally any type of frogs will actually be better with a false bottom!! go for it!