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Thread: Mantellas

  1. #21

    Default Re: Mantellas

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Highum View Post
    Is it easy to shape?
    Yes, it's clay and it's wet so you can mold it into just about any shape you want.

    and thanks Ray and Nick!

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  3. #22
    100+ Post Member Tom Highum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    Do you have to cure it in any special way?

  4. #23

    Default Re: Mantellas

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Highum View Post
    Do you have to cure it in any special way?
    Nope, I often add plants right after the hardscape is done and on a few occasions the frogs have been added on the same day.

  5. #24
    100+ Post Member Tom Highum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    Oh that is great I am kinda sick of the doing GS backgrounds.

  6. #25
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    How heavy is that tank with just the background in it? And when it's full, can you move it without risk of it breaking?
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  7. #26
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    And here's another one for you - what exactly is fluorite and where do you get it?
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  8. #27

    Default Re: Mantellas

    Quote Originally Posted by John View Post
    How heavy is that tank with just the background in it? And when it's full, can you move it without risk of it breaking?
    This tank is a 15 gallon, and I could lift it without having to worry about dropping it. The bentonite itself seems to be heavier than GS since its denser, but if you're just creating a background without wood or rocks a thin layer does not add much weight. Its the landscaping and extra clay used to secure hard things in place which adds the most mass.

    Quote Originally Posted by John:9052
    And here's another one for you - what exactly is fluorite and where do you get it?
    Flourite is a clay "gravel" traditionally used in aquariums in replacement or in combination with stones, sand, peat ect. This is the first time I have used it so I can't personally say much about it, but I have read that plants grow well in it.

  9. #28
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    Thanks again.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  10. #29
    100+ Post Member Tom Highum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    Wait where do you get it?

  11. #30

    Default Re: Mantellas

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Higham
    Wait where do you get it?
    I got mine at a local pet store but you can get it online if you can't find it locally.

  12. #31
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    Emily, I'm a newbie to this background business and I've spent the last day doing some research. I've read conflicting things about bentonite. People say it will crack if it dries out. Is this true? Do you have to worry about it cracking? Any info you have to offer would be greatly appreciated.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  13. #32

    Default Re: Mantellas

    Quote Originally Posted by John View Post
    Emily, I'm a newbie to this background business and I've spent the last day doing some research. I've read conflicting things about bentonite. People say it will crack if it dries out. Is this true? Do you have to worry about it cracking? Any info you have to offer would be greatly appreciated.
    If you have not already read these threads, there is some good information and pics in them

    the deal with calcium bentonite - Dendroboard
    Bentonite clay/ kitty litter - Dendroboard
    Bentonite clay - Dendroboard

    I once left out some bentonite for a month or so, it was extra I did not use in a tank, and later when I found it it was rock hard and inmalleable. Originally it was mixed with water but since it was not in an enclosed space, the water had evaporated out and binded the mix together. I added water to see if it could be used again, but it stayed hard and sharp.

    Depending on what kind of tank you set up this could be a good or bad thing, if its for a more temperate species or a desert species you could mold a background and then let it dry out and you would get a rough textured surface. I'm not sure how well it would hold up long term, the dried out clay I had cracked but did not loose its shape at all. In a tropical enclosed vivarium you don't have to worry about it cracking. Even if its not super humid, when you first make the mix it gets saturated and it takes a while for the moisture to leave the clay, even when not in a viv. If you are worried about it cracking, misting it regularly would most likely prevent this from happening. Currently I have 5 tanks with bentonite backgrounds, and I have not had problems with any of them.

  14. #33
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    Thanks Emily, yes I had already read those threads.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  15. #34
    RRFROGS
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    Hey, very nice viv u got there. what kinds of plants do u have in there?

  16. #35
    CrazyAirborne
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    i want to see more pics of that background! ive only done a couple vivs but im already sick of silicone!

  17. #36
    daggekko
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    Default Re: Mantellas

    hey, i have used flourite in aquariums in the past. tips for all...rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse...i put it in a 42 gallon hex tank and filled it with water after a quick rinse, 3 days later i could finally see the back of the tank.

    PLANTS GROW AWESOME in it!!!...i never got into CO2 with planted aquariums but was very happy with the results of using flourite.

    i think caribsea might make it. i know petsmart used to carry it in their gravel section but other fish stores should carry it

  18. #37

    Default Re: Mantellas

    Quote Originally Posted by RRFROGS View Post
    Hey, very nice viv u got there. what kinds of plants do u have in there?
    Aeschynanthus, peperomia, xootrophian, bulbophyllum, crypteris, and some noids.

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