Questing re: cleaing FBT poo....

[Schlemiel]

So I've just set up my FTB habitat in 20gal long aquarium w/ a water filter, driftwood, layer of gravel, and quite a bit of moss over top of rocks. I attached pic, if needed.

Question is....the moss is green/brown/black in color. Have had my FTB's for less than 2 days (only one feeding so far), but anticipating the cleaning of poo and unsure about being able to distinguish the poo amongst the moss. What should I look for?

Thanks in advance for any help w/ my fecal question.

Also, the FTB's seem to be doing well. Lots of 'barking' and swimming/roaming about.

[Schlemiel]

tons of FBT posts, but nobody has suggestion on distinguishing poo among the moss??

[beckdg]

i was on vaca when you posted the "Q", sorry. it's good you had patience and came back though.

i wouldn't worry too much about spotting poo. if you notice it, sure.. pick it out... but definitely be diligent about keeping clean water in there (i know it gets dark fast... tannins aren't what i'm talking about).

[Schlemiel]

sincere thanks for the reply. re: water cleanliness....will water filter and snails not suffice for keeping it toxin-free? the moment I put the water in, it turned brown....presumably due to all the moss I've used.

thanks again.

[beckdg]

your tank is going to "settle in" or "cycle" during this time all kinds of things are going to be going on to make it "naturalize" and "mineralize". the poo itself for example will be breaking down into fertilizer by way of being food sources to different organisms that handle different parts of the process. at the beginning stages (although it looks pretty good at first) can be the roughest on the environment whether it be a viv, aquarium or anything in between. all of everything that is dangerous (and not growing) winds up in the bottom (the water). a filter is a great thing to have but it does not replace fresh, clean, dechlorinated water. frequent water changes are a good thing at first. not a bad practice later either.

[Schlemiel]

you're awesome beckdg; thank you for the advice.

[beckdg]

you're welcomed.