Activated carbon?

[hydromaestro]

Hey guys just wondering if anyone uses activated carbon in between the soil and eggcrate in the thier vivs and if it works or if its something to stear clear from. I tried reaserching it on google but found it hard to find a clear answer. Thanks in advance!

[deranged chipmunk]

there's really no reason to add anything under the substrate with a false bottom. is there anything that makes you think it may be beneficial? there should be charcoal in your substrate mix already. ABG is supposed to have charcoal in it.

[hydromaestro]

Awesome thanks for the quick reply I was wondering because ive seen on other less reputable forums that some people add a small layer to help with keeping the water clean but from what your saying it sounds like a unnecessary step. Is abg soil prefered over eco earth for a dart frog vivarium?

[deranged chipmunk]

the only things that carbon would do is provide some surface for bacteria to grow on and to remove any tannins from the water. but that would only be for water passing through the substrate. any water in a water feature, for example, would not receive any benefits from it. not to mention the fact that water passing through the substrate is essentially filtered by the time it makes it through the substrate.

abg is preferred when keeping live plants. eco earth, despite their claims on the packaging, does not have any nutrients in it for plants. abg also has better drainage properties.

[hydromaestro]

Alright that makes total sense. Can you buy agb soil or do you just mix the recipe yourself

[deranged chipmunk]

both. most reptile suppliers have abg mixes you can buy. you can make your own, but this really is only beneficial if you are making a lot, since some of the materials, you cannot buy in small quantities.

[hydromaestro]

Perfect. Thanks again bill your fast responses are always appreciated

[deranged chipmunk]

my pleasure.