New 25 gallon vivarium

[Jace]

Thanks everyone for the nice compliments! The FBTs are loving it, but man do they ever drag everything in with them. I'm thinking of trying another substrate-anyone have any suggestions?

Username: I had the tank previously filled with fish, and it's been so long since I bought it, I can't remember the price. But to buy the plexiglass and the substrate to layer, it was around $25 dollars. The most expensive was the aquarium safe silicone.

Johnny, I am going to try some java moss...if you hear cursing, it is not going well!

[Jace]

Sorry, forgot to answer a question: cleaning it.

At first I was kind of stumped, but I then used a turkey baster (which reminds me, I have to buy another one now) and sucked 99% of the water out. Then I used a chemical free scrubbie, paper towel and then filled it back up. Took about 20 minutes from start to finish.

[Username]

Hmm, Turkey Baster, That's an Awesome and Unique way to clean it :B

[Jace]

Hmm, Turkey Baster, That's an Awesome and Unique way to clean it :B

Wish I could take credit for it, but truth be told, someone else mentioned using a baster in another thread and I slapped my forhead and thought "why didn't I think of that???". I'm not sure how to go about cleaning the substrate part without tearing it all up, but it should be good for a couple of months at least. I hope-that could be a big project!!

[Username]

Hehe, Substrate can be difficult to clean, Sometimes you even have to take all off it out and Replace it.

[SludgeMunkey]

Wish I could take credit for it, but truth be told, someone else mentioned using a baster in another thread and I slapped my forhead and thought "why didn't I think of that???". I'm not sure how to go about cleaning the substrate part without tearing it all up, but it should be good for a couple of months at least. I hope-that could be a big project!!

A small kitty litter scoop works well, as does a plastic spoon. Snag up the feces when you see it, and plan for about a bi-annual complete substrate change.

[Amphibians]

Its a whole lot easier to syphon your water out, all you need is some plastic tubing, should take a few minutes.

[Mattiez]

I can't quite tell, but are those woodchips for substrate? If so, you might want to change that, as it may be an impaction risk.

[Trohr]

Hmm, Turkey Baster, That's an Awesome and Unique way to clean it :B

I clean my frog's water dish by sucking out the water with one of those curved syringes you get from the dentist when they pull your wisdom teeth out :]

Awesome vivarium- everything looks nice, and soft for the critter bellies~

I'm not sure how to go about cleaning the substrate part without tearing it all up, but it should be good for a couple of months at least. I hope-that could be a big project!!

In my vivarium I use nothing but large wood chips, sphagum moss, river rocks, cork bark, and silk leaves/ plants. To get it all clean I built myself a chicken wire screen that's stapled to a sturdy 2X4 frame. When I'm ready to clean everything I pull the frogs out, dump the entire tank onto the screen, take it outside, and scrub/hose the hell out of it. Comes out smelling fresh, and clean.

Not sure if you would want to do that to your substrate, but it's an idea :]

[Jace]

Thanks Trohr-the toads really like it as well! They now spend as much time on land as they do in the water, hiding out in the plants and climbing over the driftwood. I'm having problems keeping the water portion clean and clear-I think my underwater filter is not capable of keeping up with 6 toads who bring in everything but the kitchen sink into the water.

You cleaning idea is one I will keep in mind-thanks for the suggestion! Finding that balance between what the toaders will love and what will be more convienant for me is a fine line I haven't found yet...but I won't quit until I do! Cheers.

[Dwhiteman11]

Frog moss worked good for me. I have a 20 gallon tank set up similar to yours. I cut a piece of plexy glass and siliconed it straight up and down and I put a waterfall in the water. The frog moss stays together a lot better with hardly any loose stuff.

[Jace]

I am going to try experimenting with moss soon, as I have a couple of other tanks that could benefit from it once I get them set up. However, I have completely changed the toad tank to a water enclosure with turtle docks as land areas and silk plants hanging from the side. The toads call day in and day out, so I think they like it!