Water features: more trouble than they're worth?

[Jessalyn]

Disclaimer: I am a complete newbie when it comes to vivariums, but I'll be upgrading my little fatties (Pacific Chorus Frogs) into a larger tank here within the next few months and really want something much more aesthetically pleasing and self sustainable than what I have now.

Anywho, I was wanting to incorporate a little slow moving stream that runs into a pond. However, with the amount of junk that falls to the bottom where the water would filter, do they clog up a lot? Do you have to disassemble them a lot? I'm sorry if these questions are dumb, but I've never owned fish or have had to use any sort of water pump, filter, and all that jazz. If it helps, I plan to use the hydro ball & weed blocker screen combo under the substrate but am not opposed to a false bottom set up if it is better for the water feature.

Also, if anyone has any recommendations for plants that are very hardy and can take a beating from me and my frogs, it would be much appreciated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[deranged chipmunk]

No question is ever dumb. water features can be a pita, but if they are carefully designed and planned, they can be very easy to take care of and very rewarding. Pumps do have a tendency to get clogged, even when planned well, so you should plan a way to access the filter/pump easily. A small canister filter (like the little turtle ones) have the benefit of having the filter outside of the tank so maintenance is easier. The downside to them is they can be a real pain to prime and you need to be creative about your intake and outputs for it. If you are planning on a small stream, this works to your advantage because you can position your output to where've you want your stream to start. I could go on and on about water features. Lol

Plants, that's a whole different topic I could write pages on. Lol there are many "starter plants" you can use. A lot of them are like the water feature, it all depends on how much maintenance you are willing to put into the tank.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Jessalyn]

Hey, I'll take as much info as I can get! Haha. And I would prefer as little maintenance as possible, I'll be getting the lil poop eater bugs too haha

Thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[deranged chipmunk]

well, i will be honest Jess, i tend to ramble, so just so we don't lose the topic (i tend to veer off as well...lol) why don't you hit me with questions, and i will try to answer them best i can. and hopefully other will chime in as well

[deranged chipmunk]

oooh, you may want to check this thread out as well. or even join in on that one.

http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...tml#post240224

[Jessalyn]

Thank you so much! I'll be starting my project this week, and I'm a rambler as well so no worries haha. I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions, so it's nice to have experienced people that don't mind helping noobs like me out

Also, I wanted to let you know your Vivarium construction 101 helped me a TON! I never even bothered with the idea since it all seemed way to confusing, but now it seems totally doable and I hope to do one for my Crested Geckos and Pygmy Chameleons also if all goes well


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[deranged chipmunk]

I'm always happy to help


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Jessalyn]

New question I picked up my new tank *yay* but it's a 29 tall 30"x12"x18". Anywho, would it be easier to do a drainage layer with hydro balls or a false bottom? Me and the bf got started on the false bottom and it was an absolute pain! I think it would be easier in a tank that has front doors but who knows. Also, would I still be able to do some sort of water feature with a drainage layer. I was thinking maybe make the waterfall with the egg crate wrapped in weed blocker mesh still but have it go down through all the layers, not sure if that would work. Also, where can I get this ABG soil everyone's been raving about. Thanks again!

[deranged chipmunk]

You can do a water feature with a drainage layer, you just need to make sure your drainage layer is high enough so you water level is such that the pump is covered. These setups however are prone to clogging, so plan ahead and make sure you can access the pump very easily.

ABG can be purchased on the net through many vendors, or you can make your own.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela