Gravel? Do I need to buy aquarium gravel?

[Kurt]

Don't use gravel at all! It can lead to gastrointestinal impaction and death. The better substrate would be either sphagnum moss or ground coconut shell. Both are fairly inexpensive. The coconut shell comes in "bricks" and expands when exposed to water. It sells for about $5 a brick. One brick should be enough to cover your tank.

[Ribbet]

I have some "reptile bark" someone got me as a birthday present. I want to have shallow water and some land, will the coconut work for that? Will it foul the water or clog the pump?

[Ribbet]

I just looked and the "Reptile bark" says it is made from the bark of fir trees.

[Kurt]

I think reptile bark may be ok, but I have never used it. I am sure someone else will sound off on it. The frogs will track the coconut shell into the water, that is for certain, I am not sure if it will clog the filter though.
Live moss may be the best substrate for a semi-aquatic set-up.

[into]

The frogs will track the coconut shell into the water, that is for certain, I am not sure if it will clog the filter though.
Live moss may be the best substrate for a semi-aquatic set-up.

I used coconut fiber for a couple weeks and it turned the water yellow and eventually clogged my water pumps. I went back to using rounded stones.

[Ribbet]

So what do I use for fire bellied toads? They need half water and half land.

[Kurt]

I keep mine in a Rubbermaid box with about an inch of water and a floating styroform tray. I keep it real simple.