Clay Background and Substrate Recipe

[John]

Jim, thank you for distilling the information into a useful format - Dendroboard is a nightmare when it comes to figuring out the clay process.

[JimO]

Jim, thank you for distilling the information into a useful format - Dendroboard is a nightmare when it comes to figuring out the clay process.

I know. I was completely confused trying to wade through that one long thread on clay. That's why I sent Lee a PM and just asked him for his recipe. We met at a Florida dart froggers meet and greet and he had shown me some of his clay mix.

Someone asked me to write down the basics and I got a bit carried away , so I thought I'd post it in the hopes of helping someone.

[ryangreenway]

I agree, this is much more helpful than the "ultimate clay based substrate" thread over there. I've been making clay backgrounds with just the kitty litter and peat moss, and they've been working great. I must've gotten some of the good batches of the litter. I really love the way the microfauna take off in the clay soil, it's very helpful for froglets.

[Gator]

Is it absolutely necessary to bake the clay mixture for the substrate? or can it just be set out to dry? Reason is I have A LOT of clay I'm going to need for the substrate and it would still be easier to let it set out to dry.