56G Tank Progress

[smashtoad]

Thanks for the compliment on my tank...

I went back and re-read the OP...

Is that solid glass or plexi you've used as your false bottom? The whole purpose of a false bottom (and the reason people use egg crate and screen) is so that water can drain through the substrate and the entire floor into the resevoir. You simply paint the front and sides black up to that level to hide it. Using a solid floor completely defeats the purpose, and you'd have to keep the tank absolutely level, or you are going to get dead spots where the fouled water pools.

Whether or not the space under a false bottom is wasted isn't a matter of opinion...it either is or it isn't. Why have a resevoir of flowing, highly oxygenated water when you could have the same space filled with bioballs or ceramic bio-media to culture nitrifying bacteria?

Also, requiring your filters to fight gravity and draw water up several inches and over the back of the tank will guarantee them a short life. The canister might do it for a few years, but the Whisper won't...they aren't made for that.

[1beataway]

The Whisper filter will not be fighting gravity and drawing the water over several inches and down the back; more than half of it will be under water, and there will only be 2-3 inches above the water. Plus, I'm not counting on the Whisper filter lasting a lifetime; it's a cheaper brand. But it will make a waterfall.

You are not the first to instruct me that I should do nothingmore than a traditional false-bottom and use hydroballs. I used hydroballs for a year. I hated it. I kept having problems and having to redo the whole thing and it's hard to pick up all the pieces. Plus, my frogs seemed to find a way to dig up the hydroballs and I was afraid of them swallowing the hydroballs. Kurt constantly preaches to me, but I've had so many problems with them that I never wish to use them again.

I do have a plan for drainage in the soil part of the tank.

Your tank is great. It is, without a doubt, one of the best looking tanks I've seen. I spent a lot of time coming up with an idea, and then a lot of time and money on my idea, as I'm sure you did when you first started putting your tank together. Had I known, though, that I would be told that I am wasting space and doing my tank the wrong way (and, in a sense, that I need to go back and do it the correct way), I would not have shared the progress of my tank. I can take constructive criticism, but it does not come off that way when you ask a question, and then immediately, without a reply, tell me why what I did was wrong. Perhaps, at the very least, I should have posted pics after the whole thing was done, because no one else knows every detail of my idea as I have thought it out, and so even if I have a drainage plan in place, I get criticized for how I could possibly not have considered it.

[smashtoad]

I apologize for coming off as a jerk.

The bottom line is this: Tons of young herpers are venturing into the world of natural vivs these days...why? Because it is easy to do and they are beautiful. When you mentioned in the OP that someone referred to you as a genius, my ears perked up. It is important to me that kids get good info right out of the gate.

I didn't come up with my idea...I was setting up a 56 column and it was important to me that it be right the first time. So I researched terrarium design at websites and then altered the design aspects I liked best...mainly the simple ones.

I don't know what you meant about your frogs eating bio balls...the frogs should never have access to the bio-balls.

Anyway...sorry. Hope it works out for you.

[1beataway]

I apologize for coming off as a jerk.

The bottom line is this: Tons of young herpers are venturing into the world of natural vivs these days...why? Because it is easy to do and they are beautiful. When you mentioned in the OP that someone referred to you as a genius, my ears perked up. It is important to me that kids get good info right out of the gate.

I didn't come up with my idea...I was setting up a 56 column and it was important to me that it be right the first time. So I researched terrarium design at websites and then altered the design aspects I liked best...mainly the simple ones.

I don't know what you meant about your frogs eating bio balls...the frogs should never have access to the bio-balls.

Anyway...sorry. Hope it works out for you.

I was mostly kidding when I said I was a genius (though, I do think Lesley thinks I am). I am not exactly new to frogs or vivs, but I am definitely not as experienced as others.I've had frogs for a few years, and currently have five species of frogs, and I started getting into natural vivs a couple years ago. Since then, I've had to redo them and change things. Each one is better as I learn. My very first one was a copy of one I had seen, but since then, I have tried to use my own ideas. I don't think it's a bad way to go.

The situation with the hydroballs happened just once. I'm not sure how it happened, but obviously I had a weak spot that my White's got to (White's being like 2-year old infants,of course they found it). I woke up one morning to find bioballs in the pond. I freaked out. But nothing bad happened, and I learned.

I do think you should post a thread about building your tank. I'm gonna have an empty tank soon, and I would be interested in trying it.

[1beataway]

This tank is taking me longer than I thought. School keeps me busy. But here are some new pics. It's not completely done yet, but it should be in just a few days. I know these aren't the best pics, but I misplaced my camera, so I had to settle for my cell phone.

[froghobbiest]

looks good...u did the same thing i did in my tank with the divider lol hers a pic of my cage...it doesnt have frogs in it anymore it has red clawed crabs and guppies right now

[tjtreefrog]

This tank is taking me longer than I thought. School keeps me busy. But here are some new pics. It's not completely done yet, but it should be in just a few days. I know these aren't the best pics, but I misplaced my camera, so I had to settle for my cell phone.

That is awesome, Elaine!

[Ebony]

Great job Elaine.