Hey guys, clay backdrop question

[MikeM670]

I do mine exactly as Mike does. The only difference is I pack coco fiber or moss on top of it. The kitty litter option although really cheap does look rather gray and I prefer the brown look. Its biggest flaw is that it is extremely heavy even with a thin layer. It can also slide if you have it too thick in areas just because of the weight. I would have to agree with Mike and suggest doing a foam and clay combo on a 40gal. I think if you did it all clay you would need three people to move it. I did three sides of a 20 and I can barely budge it. They do make different color clays you can get at craft stores that might give a better look. I used clay in all my small Exos. You can see them in my photo album. The best thing about it is you don't have to wait after you're done. You can put the frogs right in.

Cheri you're right the tanks can become very heavy. I had to have help moving my 40 vertical from the basement to the room upstairs. As for color you can put some red clay into the mix to change the color a bit. I really don't mind the color as I'm hoping the moss and creeping fig will cover most of the background. Also as you mentioned I did forget to add that I press into the clay more peat or coco fibers or wood chunks. This breaks up the look as well as provides surface area for things to grow on or from.

[Grrrit]

ok heres a sketchy blueprint of my vision of what i want to build.



the cork log would support a good amount of clay i imagine. as for the walls a may not even go further than the few (2-3) small corkrounds that will be like branches going to the glass and fastend with silicone. i've also been thinking of sporadically siliconing a few flat stones in as ledges. they may help prevent any slide and could possibly help support the clay.

and as for th dripwall below the cork log im kindof lost on how i should do this. i plan to run the water line through the log or tuck it in right along with it to hide it. the method of building it is another story.

let me know what you think! i always enjoy constructive criticism!

[MikeM670]

ok heres a sketchy blueprint of my vision of what i want to build.



the cork log would support a good amount of clay i imagine. as for the walls a may not even go further than the few (2-3) small corkrounds that will be like branches going to the glass and fastend with silicone. i've also been thinking of sporadically siliconing a few flat stones in as ledges. they may help prevent any slide and could possibly help support the clay.

and as for th dripwall below the cork log im kindof lost on how i should do this. i plan to run the water line through the log or tuck it in right along with it to hide it. the method of building it is another story.

let me know what you think! i always enjoy constructive criticism!

My thoughts on support are for areas where you have a larger amount of clay in a vertical position. So if you feel there are areas with more then lets say 12 inches of clay I might want a support ledge of some sorts. For the drip wall there are several factors to think about.

1. Flow rate. Drip walls are just that. Small amounts of water dripping down a wall. So your going to need some sort of pump to handle a low rate of flow or a overflow option. Best if it can be regulated by you to fine tune this.
2. What is the drip wall going to be made of? I have seen videos and articles on just clay for the drip walls. It seems after a few days to weeks there is a film that builds up that keeps the water from contacting the actual clay so you don't have erosion. I'm not sure I would go that way. You can use cork rounds for the drip wall as it contains lots of cracks and crevices that make perfect water holding spots.
3. Your going to need a good water reservoir for the drip wall so it does not run out very quickly. Some of my builds this tends to happen. Also your going to need EASY access to the pump and a very good way to filter the water prior to the pump. So think that one through and do a lot of research.

I love water features but not sure they are worth the hassle.

If your going to install a misting system that might be a better option for a drip wall. Just point one nozzle at the spot you want really wet and spray away. Tho with that option your going to need to drain excess water frequently.

[LilyPad]

Great thread!! Very informative!

[Grrrit]

I was thinking about leaving a space in the drip wall corner open. like a cube missing of the fb and hue my pump with gravel and run the water line tucked against the cork tube. Thanks though, were making progress!

[Grrrit]

I'm going to get river stones (the tumbled smooth rocks) from a pet store. and silicon them together to build a sort of box around the pump. Then silicon a screen to the inside of my stone pump box to keep sediment out and attempt to reduce blockage. And to my understanding it wouldnt take much to stop the flow of a slow moving pump. As to a higher powered pump that could tolerate a little more abuse. I plan to do my best to double the screen between the gravel pit beneath the dripwall and my false bottom to further my attempt in keeping the sediment minimal around the pump. I've even thought about siliconing the bottom layer of stone in place to the glass and make screen walls through the return to the pump. I'll try to make another sketch of what I'm trying to explain when I get home in the morning.

[Grrrit]

ok here's my falsebottom idea. as far as the water area is concerned.



it'll be heavy. but once its done i dont plan on moving it until my lease is up and i can find a bigger house.