Would this work?...

drm1217 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 09:22 PM

I want to redo my FBN and FBT vivarium. Instead of using GS as the land part, I was thinking of just dumping sand for the land part. It would be like the shore of a lake/river. I could plant some grasses ( that I have already collected and sanitized from my backyard river). The theme would be more temperate, I probably won't add any tropical plants.
Does anyone have a temperate paludarium? Would LOVE some pics to serve as examples.
Any ideas or suggestions would be amazing! Thnx!

zach2011 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 10:41 PM

I have done something like this if you look in Viv. construction its my fire belly toad tank. its a waterfall and i added sand for the bottom of the water and the shore.. idk if this helps or not but i hope it does (theres some pics there too)

zach2011 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 10:42 PM

Sorry my bad its in Palu. Construction, not Viv..

kyryah · #4 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 11:03 PM

The only bad thing about sand is that it can hold a lot of sediment and odors. It can also become compacted under constant wet conditions, and can even mold. If you use sand be prepared to clean and aerate (stir) it often. I personally would create a retaining wall of some sort (GS covered in silicone with sand pressed in while the silicone was wet would work well and look good) and use a false bottom so that the sand is not just sitting stagnant. If it was totally submerged it would be different... I think that being half in/half out of the water will cause issues with cleanliness, odors, etc.

Kristina

drm1217 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 07:46 PM

If I use a false bottom and put the sand on top of the FB then would that help the odors? Should I not use sand at all and just make it a tropical vivarium?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyryah

The only bad thing about sand is that it can hold a lot of sediment and odors. It can also become compacted under constant wet conditions, and can even mold. If you use sand be prepared to clean and aerate (stir) it often. I personally would create a retaining wall of some sort (GS covered in silicone with sand pressed in while the silicone was wet would work well and look good) and use a false bottom so that the sand is not just sitting stagnant. If it was totally submerged it would be different... I think that being half in/half out of the water will cause issues with cleanliness, odors, etc.

Kristina

kyryah · #6 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 08:19 PM

Yes, a false bottom will surely help. I don't think you should totally rule out sand, just know that you have to keep it from getting gross, lol. The same is true for any substrate.

Kristina

drm1217 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 11:25 PM

Muchas Gracias! I think Ill probably use sand with a false bottom. But instead of using eggcrate, can you use foam? Weird question, but just wondering... And Im still looking for some examples of other temperate vivs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyryah

Yes, a false bottom will surely help. I don't think you should totally rule out sand, just know that you have to keep it from getting gross, lol. The same is true for any substrate.

Kristina

kyryah · #8 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 11:40 PM

What kind of foam do you mean? If you mean somehow using GS, then yes, I am sure you could figure something out, but personally I think eggcrate is the best way. If you mean like FOAM foam, like used for padding, I think some people do, but I think it would be kind of messy.

I have a temperate viv, but it isn't heavily planted. It is indigenous to where I live (Northern Michigan.)

My mixed vivarium

Kristina