Changing substrate

[Immortal]

Yeah the drainage layer to me sounds a bit complicated lol. I'll have a look thanks.

[Kisa]

Yeah the drainage layer to me sounds a bit complicated lol. I'll have a look thanks.

I was scared about it at first too, but once I did it the first time I found it was a breeze, though I kind messed up the first time because I didn't have enough hydro balls, oops? XD; But take a look at my tiger legs enclosure, that drainage layer is all good. XD

[UncleChester]

I have just a few things things to add about a drainage layer-if you go the hydroton/hydroballs/leca route, it took some time to find it but the cheapest place I've found it was in Burlington at Frank's Magic Crops. It was obscenely cheap compared to my local petstore options. Might be other choices closer your way though.

For a screen between the hydroballs/gravel and the substrate, I've come to like landscape fabric- it's a thin black material designed to let water through but not dirt. It's much easier to use than fibreglass screen as it folds and bends easy and there's never any jagged bits no matter what shape you cut it.

A small piece of pvc tubing can be siliconed in a corner to provide access to siphon off excess water, just keep a cap on it when not in use to keep out bugs/dirt. Or you can make a pool at the bottom by building a little water-permeable substrate dam that goes right to the bottom of your tank Frog Forum - UncleChester's Album: Vivariums - Picture

For live plants, the easiest thing to start with (my opinion anyways) is the near-invincible pothos. Grows indoors, you can root cuttings in water to make more pothos in case you start killing it off, decent sized leaves, and cheap

[mommyof4froglovers]

With fake plants and no drainage how often do you change the dirt. It came with my exo terra terranium and it says nothing about changing it. But Froggy really doesnt need to get sick.

[cyris69]

Sorry for bringing back an old thread but I was wondering too, if I don't use a drainage layer do I still need to worry about changing the substrate or still less often than that of a nonplanted tank? I currently have ivy and pothos plants as well as red wigglers and isopods in the tank using a 75% coco-fiber to 25% organic soil. So will the worms and isopods help delay the change?

[DonLisk]

Sorry for bringing back an old thread but I was wondering too, if I don't use a drainage layer do I still need to worry about changing the substrate or still less often than that of a nonplanted tank? I currently have ivy and pothos plants as well as red wigglers and isopods in the tank using a 75% coco-fiber to 25% organic soil. So will the worms and isopods help delay the change?

Yes, the isopods and red wigglers will help in reducing how often you will need to change out the substrate. The main think that will occur is your substrate will become saturated and rot at the bottom of the tank if water is building up from misting.

[cyris69]

Thanks for teh post, I will try sometime this month to remove everything and add a drainage layer. Going to be a pain but since it looks to be the best way in the long run.