False Bottom Issues

[EMCookjb]

I went away for the weekend and came back to see very small water puddles on the surface. I couldn't tell where the water level was in the false bottom. I drained a bunch of water, changing the misting schedule and venting to help dry things out some. Since I am having issues seeing the water level in the false bottom, I have a strange question. I was thinking that if I add some food dye to the false bottom, by pushing colored water back through my drainage system, would that cause any issues to the plants and/or frogs (not currently living in)? This way I can actually see the water level in the false bottom. Thoughts?

John

[LilyPad]

I can see where the water level is in my false bottom just by looking at the tank. Do you have your glass covered stop you can't see?

[EMCookjb]

I can see where the water level is in my false bottom just by looking at the tank. Do you have your glass covered stop you can't see?

I can't see difference in shading of "false bottom substrate" I got from Josh's Frog. If that makes sense.

John

[DigitalPunk]

I personally wouldnt use food coloring in my frog tank. A False Bottom style tank doesnt require drainage material to be down in the water area. The LDL stuff you are using from JF is meant more for a Drainage Layer setup.

If you want to keep the LDL in your FB you could add a little bit of Blackwater extract to the water so it tints it a light brown. Than should help you see the water line easier.


Also - Stick your finger into your substrate and move it around some. If a smell of rotten eggs comes out the soil is bad and needs to be replaced. When soil is allowed to get water logged, like what happened to your soil, it quickly starts to grow nasty bacteria and should be replaced with fresh soil.

[EMCookjb]

I personally wouldnt use food coloring in my frog tank. A False Bottom style tank doesnt require drainage material to be down in the water area. The LDL stuff you are using from JF is meant more for a Drainage Layer setup.

If you want to keep the LDL in your FB you could add a little bit of Blackwater extract to the water so it tints it a light brown. Than should help you see the water line easier.


Also - Stick your finger into your substrate and move it around some. If a smell of rotten eggs comes out the soil is bad and needs to be replaced. When soil is allowed to get water logged, like what happened to your soil, it quickly starts to grow nasty bacteria and should be replaced with fresh soil.

Thank you for reminding me to check about testing for the rotten egg smell. I tested several areas and detected no foul odors. In fact it reminds of the woods after a good rain. It seems that I "fixed" it before it went "bad". Once I drained enough water, I found the water to be tinted a little brown. Now I can clearly see the water line. I hope thats okay and if not I can try to finish draining the water either add "clean" water or clean the viv.

John

[DigitalPunk]

The water being brown is from the tanins it picked up from mixing with the soil and is perfectly natural no need to drain it all the way if you dont want.

Good news about the soil!