newbie question about great stuff

kron4me · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008, 11:16 AM

I am building a vivarium in a 30 gallon long tank and i want a drip wall and water fall and I'm on a tight budget

. Is great stuff safe to use with water? And any suggestions this is my first tank I want to put dart frogs in it and hopefully breed them for future and bigger tanks. Thank you for any help!

Devil_Boy · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 02:14 AM

Yes it is safe. After it cures of course.

I just built a waterfall after it cured i covered the whole thing with silicone then dropped pebbles on it, then black sand to fill in where the rocks didnt, suprisingly it turned out quite well.

kron4me · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 11:56 AM

that sounds sweet, i haven't thought of that. What did you use for substrate and drainage? I hear a lot of things and everyone says expanded clay, will rocks not work just as well?

Layna · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kron4me

will rocks not work just as well?

I am still very new to this. For drainage, rocks will work, but it will add weight to the display. Expanded clay pellets are lighter and I believe will work better for drainage.

Before going forth with your plan and wanting to use rocks, I'd wait to hear what others have to say about it.

Best of luck and keep us updated on what you do.

Devil_Boy · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 01:20 PM

I have a fairly large tank so my false bottom(which is egg crate) is raised about 5 inches off the bottom then i put screen and a layer of gravel about another inch or so, then i put another layer of screen and that will be my substrate which i am still decding on, there are so many different types of substrate people use your best is to do a search on here and on google... just to get some ideas.

my water sits pretty much at the bottom of the eggcrate so about 5 inches of water, there is also an overflow tube i put in so as the waterfall fills the tank it overflows into the sump tank below filters and comes back up through the waterfall.

ive never used the clay pellets so im not sure how good they work. but you will need some sort of drainage so your substrate doesnt stay wet. rocks will work but you will need quite a few inches so it doesnt fill up or at least a place you can suck excess water out.

not sure if i answered your question but hope this helps

kron4me · #6 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devil_Boy

my water sits pretty much at the bottom of the eggcrate so about 5 inches of water, there is also an overflow tube i put in so as the waterfall fills the tank it overflows into the sump tank below filters and comes back up through the waterfall.

does the water need to be filtered? I am using a 30 gallon tank and expect to have a fairly extensive water fall as the center piece but the idea of a sump is far beyond my budget at this time.

Layna · #7 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kron4me

does the water need to be filtered? I am using a 30 gallon tank and expect to have a fairly extensive water fall as the center piece but the idea of a sump is far beyond my budget at this time.

If your going to have an animal in it, I suggest the water be filtered with a filter. I'd imagine there's way to hide a filter and have easy access to it.

kron4me · #8 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Layna

If your going to have an animal in it, I suggest the water be filtered with a filter. I'd imagine there's way to hide a filter and have easy access to it.

When you say IN IT do you mean in the water itself,

I plan on having dart frogs and aquatic plants, and other terrestrial plants. As far as the substrate I am thinking egg crate for the bottom 3 inches and then a weed mat as a screen then my dirt/moss substrate no rocks or clay pellets what do you all think will it work or do I need to at least have some sort of rock/clay? and if I used bio balls and or carbon in the water part of the false bottom would that not cover the filtration, seems like it would set up its own biofilter

. I'm not sure just thinking out loud. Thanks for ANY opinions.

kron4me · #9 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Layna

If your going to have an animal in it, I suggest the water be filtered with a filter. I'd imagine there's way to hide a filter and have easy access to it.

also do you have any suggestions on a filter type?

Rainfrog · #10 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008, 10:02 AM

You do not need to filter the water for dart frogs. your water will evaporate and be replaced over time and since you dont have fish there is no nitrogen cycle. if you have nasty stuff in your water I would filter of use purified water (not distilled frogs need the minerals in water to be absorbed through their skin distilling removes these) I would still use gravel or clay pellets (at least an inch deep) between your false bottom and your substrate (it promotes drainage and keeps your roots from rotting(make sure to put screen between your rocks/clay and substrate to prevent clogging). gravel is fine but clay is better. rocks will compact to a degree and besides being heavy have less space between them ergo less drainage but look more natural, pros and cons for both. Also try to keep your water table (the standing water under the bottom) 1/2 inch below your false bottom to prevent watter wicking up into your roots and soil. this also promotes airflow to the plant roots. Hope this helps and is not too late ive been away a while.