substrate opinions?

[niccoliherp]

I was just wondering what people's opinions are on different terrarium substrates (for darts). The ones I am interested in comparing are regular aquarium gravel, hydroton clay pellets, or just a false bottom. Any opinions?

Also, does anyone know where I could get the white egg crate material for the false bottoms. I can find the screen just fine, but not the egg crate material.

[Waterkeeper]

The eggcrate is actually at any home depot or lowes or ace. It is made for fluorescent light fixtures. if you say "eggcrate" they will look at you funny and you'll confuse the poor guy. Ask for the fluorescent lighting panels and you'll see it in 4x2 sheets for like $10

I weighed all the options and decided on eggcrate for my new one. it will be the lightest, and cheapest option for my 44 gal setup. You can also use the scrap pieces for your waterfall or moulding the foam or something.

on my 10 gallon I just used med. aquarium gravel. that was my first setup and I didn't have much experience or knowledge yet except what I remembered from biology class... very little. I wouldn't do it again because it's too hard to get water out if it builds up down there.. which my small tank often does. a false bottom can allow you more access to the "center of the earth" for maintenance.

[niccoliherp]

I have actually asked the people at the hardware store for egg crate before, and they did look at me funny. Which might be why I never found it there before.

I've been using gravel in any of my set ups that have water in them for the longest time. I have worked out some kinks, but it is still a pain sometimes. I just try to use plants that like water in them, like pothos, philodendron spp., and creeping fig. A false bottom would be much easier to deal with. Thanks for your help waterkeeper.

[Zooligist 4ever]

I would suggest the LECA, a.k.a the hydroton clay for the false bottom if anything because it's a lot lighter on the tank than aquarium gravel. Even though there is nothing wrong with either choices. I am currently using it in my arboreal Red eye Treefrog tank. It produces a neutral pH level in water. I'm not sure if there is anything on the gravel even after you rinse it thoroughly that can offset you pH levels.