Environmental control questions

[DigitalPunk]

I add micro fauna the very last thing. My only logic behind that is because I am done. The tank is set, the soil is soaked, and I am don't mucking in the soil.

[EMCookjb]

My thought process is to have the microfauna start preparing the viv for plants life and preparing to deal with any fungus and such prior to planting. But I am not as experienced in starting vivs.

[DigitalPunk]

The white mold wood in viv typically gets when they are first setup will clear itself up without any outside help. The micro fauna will need 30 days to establish itself and you will want to allow the plants 30 days to establish themselves before you add frogs

[EMCookjb]

How thick should the drainage material and substrate layers be?

John

[deranged chipmunk]

Depends on the tank and design. My drainage layers vary, but on average, my substrate layers are about 4".


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

[EMCookjb]

How big of a reservoir should I have for my MistKing?

[DigitalPunk]

Depends on how often you want to refill it. I use a 5 gallon bucket for my water reservoir. Drill and install a bulkhead near the bottom. I also use an Aquatic heater in the reservoir so the water is 72-74F when misted into the vivariums.

My Drainage layers are typically 2 - 3" deep and soil is 3 - 4" deep.

[deranged chipmunk]

Paul was definitely the best person to answer about the reservoir. He uses a mistking. I am masochistic and choose to hand mist all my tanks lol


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

[Vivariums In The Mist]

I also use 5 gallon buckets for most vivs that I install MistKing systems on. Make sure the bucket is food grade quality/approved. On my 210 gallon viv, I have a 10 gallon bucket, although that is really overkill.

[EMCookjb]

How can I tell if a 5 gallon bucket is food grade quality/approved?

[EMCookjb]

I found one. Thank you for the advice.

[Vivariums In The Mist]

Great! In general, the orange buckets at Home Depot are food grade safe. At Lowes, I have noticed they sell 2 buckets, one for cheaper and another for a little bit more. The one that costs a little more states on the bucket that it is food grade.

I found one. Thank you for the advice.

[EMCookjb]

I am about to start putting this all together. I want to slope the ground some from back left corner to front right. Should I increase the thickness of the drainage layer in the same way/amount as the ABG layer? I am thinking of raising the height by about 3 or 4 inches from lowest to highest elevation. Thoughts?

[Vivariums In The Mist]

You could, not really necessary though in my opinion. I would just create your slope(s) with the ABG. Slopes do makes vivariums look more natural.

I am about to start putting this all together. I want to slope the ground some from back left corner to front right. Should I increase the thickness of the drainage layer in the same way/amount as the ABG layer? I am thinking of raising the height by about 3 or 4 inches from lowest to highest elevation. Thoughts?

[deranged chipmunk]

I agree with Paul, I would just slope the substrate.


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

[EMCookjb]

Thank you guys. I have another question. I got some really great drift wood from a local fish/aquarium store and from Petco. Do I need to clean, soak, disinfect, etc. these pieces of wood? I am not sure what type of wood they are either. Thoughts?

[deranged chipmunk]

Man, another question? I thought we covered EVERYTHING!! Lol sheesh!!

Seriously though, yes. You can boil it for 30 minutes or bake it at 250* for 2 hours to truly sterilize it. Do this with any piece of wood you put in a tank. There's no telling what may be on or IN that piece of wood.


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

[EMCookjb]

Trying to add to you alls reputation as a veteran, expert and generally good people. I can't thank you all for answering my questions and concerns. Sometimes I think I know the answer but I would rather ask you all and make sure I am doing it right. Thank you again for all the advice.

[deranged chipmunk]

Paul (Digitalpunk) is the expert. i learned everything i know from him and anytime. always better to double check

[DigitalPunk]

Hahahahahahah Bill Called me an expert hahahahahha He learned everything from me..... Hhahahahahahah