Thinking of switching to live plants

[5280]

And I could use some help. For awhile now I've debated switching several of my tanks to live vivariums and I think I'm going to finally attempt it. After the research I've done I still have a few questions. For a false bottom should I use hydro balls, mesh, eco earth or hydro balls, mesh, potting soil, or something totally different. Do I even need a false bottom? Should I use a pump??? These are the answers I need to at least get started. I consider myself a knowledgable herper in some areas but I'm definitely a rookie in live vivariums. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The tanks I'd be switching over would be a waxy monkey frog tank and a couple gecko tanks. Thanks again.

[Leefrogs]

Yep, hydros us just one option, you can use gravel, or even styrophome peanuts like in my 10 gal build. Or even smashed terricotta. Anything to create air pockets so your soil doesn't turn into mud and rot your plants.

You only need a pump and false bottom if you're doing a water fall.
And you need acres to drain the bottom. Simplest way is to make a hill, and use a turkey baister to suck up water that runs to the frount.

I use brown silicone on glass to hide drainage layer

Easy growing plants are photos vine, snake plant and prayer plant

[5280]

Thanks a ton for your reply, appreciate it.

So would the best substrate be soley coconut fiber or a mix or coco fiber and organic top soil??? Or something else???

[Leefrogs]

Go screen, then coco fiber than soil with moss mixed in. If it's a lower humidity frog, I put the husk in dry. I also microwave till real hot to kill any nastys. Same with the soil, knats hatch out of it all the time. I use plantation soil, but don't like it. Next time I'd like to try bed a beast. More of a black rich soil. Put moss or rocks on top for cleaner frogs. Leaf litter is also an option for top cover.

Some plants grow just out of the coco fiber, like snake plant, it likes to be a little dryer. And once you have a planted bottom, when your humidity drops you just water the plants. My guess is a bout an ounce per gallon of tank size. Turkey baister is good for getting it down. It holds an ounce, and I water with old frog pool water. Fresh is a waste. For fertilizer(2/4x a year) you can use wood ash from fire place, or disolved frog poop on regular basis.