Drainage layer question

[privet01]

..........shouldn't over think things too much, overcomplicate things, or spend too much time umming and ahhing over it. Find a suitable option and go for it. Indecision is a form of procrastinating, and feeds the fear of failure

Exactly...... I bought this Exo Terra 90 x 45 x 45 cm / 36” x 18” x 18” (WxDxH)
over three years ago and it's just sat in the corner of the house waiting to be set up ever since! I've over thought the setup way too much. I just need to do it and realize I can re-do it if something doesn't work as I want.

[privet01]

As far as the charcoal goes.... how are you intending to use it? And what type charcoal? I used to use granular activated charcoal in an aquarium filter. It was a re-fillable canister, seems like I replaced it monthly, but that was a very long time ago so I'd have to look up the manufacturer specs.

I don't think activated charcoal filters out very many dissolved minerals. It is more for dissolved gasses.... I think.

If you are using it as a substrate, I wouldn't think the mineral loss would even be an issue as your water is just touching it, not flowing through it. If it's just color you are thinking about, they have a black sand in the aquarium dept.

[Calayvie]

As far as the charcoal goes.... how are you intending to use it? And what type charcoal? I used to use granular activated charcoal in an aquarium filter. It was a re-fillable canister, seems like I replaced it monthly, but that was a very long time ago so I'd have to look up the manufacturer specs.

I don't think activated charcoal filters out very many dissolved minerals. It is more for dissolved gasses.... I think.

If you are using it as a substrate, I wouldn't think the mineral loss would even be an issue as your water is just touching it, not flowing through it. If it's just color you are thinking about, they have a black sand in the aquarium dept.

Using it instead of the lava rock/clay balls. Pure hardwood charcoal is how it was described to me. Maybe its not the activated stuff?

I've read its very popular to have a layer of charcoal in a terrarium below your substrate, and before the drainage layer, but then some say this isn't necessary either, you don't need to filter/cleanse your water as it moves down. Anyway, I haven't found much about it being used as an actual drainage layer.
It might be a bit crumbly? I'm not sure. I know its also included in some substrate mixes, I think for drainage, but I'm planning on using orchard bark for that purpose.

Black would look great in the base of the tank, but I don't like using coloured gravel/stones as I'd worry about dyes leaching. I guess I could find natural black stones though, even natural coloured gravel or stones would look, well...natural! [emoji1]
But I don't particularly want the weight in the tank. If I had to move the tank for whatever reason, I'd prefer it to be as light as possible.

If I didn't like the appearance of the drainage/bottom layer, I could use contact to cover it up from the outside.

Thankyou privet01



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[Calayvie]

Exactly...... I bought this Exo Terra 90 x 45 x 45 cm / 36” x 18” x 18” (WxDxH)
over three years ago and it's just sat in the corner of the house waiting to be set up ever since! I've over thought the setup way too much. I just need to do it and realize I can re-do it if something doesn't work as I want.

Yes, trying to do something perfectly the first time is a pretty big obstacle!
That's a very nice tank! What are you going to put in it?



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[privet01]

That's a very nice tank! What are you going to put in it?

The plan is to put my FBT's that are currently in a 10 gallon tank. Currently only two, but once this is ready I'll probably add at least three more FBT's.

[Calayvie]

The plan is to put my FBT's that are currently in a 10 gallon tank. Currently only two, but once this is ready I'll probably add at least three more FBT's.

Fire Bellied Toads? I just looked them up, I've heard of them but not seen what they look like...
And Wow! They are amazing!!! Absolutely gorgeous! Its hard to believe that they are real!! [emoji1]

And you have great ground space in that tank [emoji3]



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[monster]

FBT's are awesome little frogs, great first time frog. There is never a dull moment when you have a nice group of them, and they dont tend to be shy like a lot of other frogs. Feeding time is great, they never under perform. I use to have some and I gave them to my nephew and I can honestly say i miss them. And the other great thing is they don't need to be kept in tropical temps so it's a lot easier to achieve there required temps.

[Calayvie]

FBT's are awesome little frogs, great first time frog. There is never a dull moment when you have a nice group of them, and they dont tend to be shy like a lot of other frogs. Feeding time is great, they never under perform. I use to have some and I gave them to my nephew and I can honestly say i miss them. And the other great thing is they don't need to be kept in tropical temps so it's a lot easier to achieve there required temps.

Thanks monster they do sound like great frogs...
Wish I could get them here...

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