Canada Day Weekend Build! : Clay Background Method

[Grimm]

Originally Posted by JimO

It sure is exciting, isn't it?

Haha oh yes...Definitely way better then any tree frog out there! I cant believe I didnt just start with darts.

[Craig]

Hey Craig, welcome to the forum! And thanks for the compliment! Are you by chance on ERAS forums? Thats where I herd about the expo. They have it once a year, and its called the Western Canadian Reptile Expo and they held it in Red Deer. Next year it looks like it might be comming to Edmonton, but I'm not 100% sure. We lucked out this year and a guy by the name of MartyA came from BC with a bunch of different types. However he was the only person selling darts, and it isnt a sure thing that he is comming back next year.

I do know of a few people that breed a couple different species. I know there are a lot of Borja Ridge vents, some Azureus, and some Red Ameerega Trivittata that will most likely be for sale in the near future. (definitely by next spring)

Where abouts are you from? There is a guy in Red Deer that has the vents and azurues for sale right now actually. I'm sure he will still be in the hobby by next year. If not, I will certainly be interested in doing a group order from UnderstoryEnterprises with you and a couple other people I know! Just stay on the forums and we will be in touch next year when the ice melts lol

I'm living in St Paul right now, its 200km northeast of Edmonton, hopefully by the time spring comes around I'll be moved into a place in Edmonton and have a couple months to settle in and set up a viv and get in on that group order, if not I'll be sure to get in touch with you.

[tazely]

Well first off new to the sight, and second thanks for keeping me up all night reading the entire thread. Had some very bad luck with the great stuff (great it is not) BG, not good pulled away made gaps for the frogs to get behind..... When I lost my Mint Terr. I gave up and tore the whole thing apart. Thank goodness I have four other tanks to fall back on, just using my quarentine tank now to house the other Terrs. Love the clay idea, thinking of adding small baskets with drain holes to house some plants, but may not need to by the looks of yours. Thanks again for the insperation, tank looks great.

[JimO]

Welcome to the site. It's good to have you, I know what you mean by staying up late reading threads. I should be asleep right now,

Originally Posted by tazely

Well first off new to the sight, and second thanks for keeping me up all night reading the entire thread. Had some very bad luck with the great stuff (great it is not) BG, not good pulled away made gaps for the frogs to get behind..... When I lost my Mint Terr. I gave up and tore the whole thing apart. Thank goodness I have four other tanks to fall back on, just using my quarentine tank now to house the other Terrs. Love the clay idea, thinking of adding small baskets with drain holes to house some plants, but may not need to by the looks of yours. Thanks again for the insperation, tank looks great.

[tazely]

Hey Grimm any ideas for a water feature? Think myself a rock structure made from readymix and styerfoam centered over the pump under the egg crate, this will keep the water moving. Not real tall just to move it across the tank (stream effect)

[Grimm]

So its been a little while since Ive given an update. Everything is still doing pretty good. The only exception to this is my Creeping fig, and my polka dot plant. Both plant's new leaves seem to be off their normal colour, and slightly curled up. The creeping fig is yellowish, and the polka dot is less pink. The new leaves also seem to be see-through. They are in the same substrate as the button fern, ivy, and oak leaf ficus pumila, but these are all growing great. Any thoughts?

I have a reason Ive been absent though...Been busy working on a mirrored clay tank So once I get the majority of it done I'll post another thread for it.

In the mean time, here are a couple of my favorite pics so far, and 2 bonus hilarious ones :P

[claymore]

WOW awesome pics Grim! Those last two pics are instant classic!

I have the same problem with my creeping fig too. Maybe too moist or Maybe too much light?

[beckdg]

sounds like a nutrient deficiency or wet/strangled/cold roots. yellow is a tough one without a good description/pics. however... transparent certainly sounds like magnesium deficiency to me. if the roots are strangled/wet then giving them a little more air should help alleviate the other symptoms, but i think unless they're actually drowning then nutrients would be the root of the issue.

are you noticing it more on newer/older/all leafs?

detailed pictorial and description, please.

that's my take... take it for what it's worth. you know me and plants.... i think...

[Grimm]

Thanks Beck. I do think that it is because of the roots being too moist. I realized a few days ago that my water stream has a slow trickle of water that drips into the substrate....That slipped my mind actually when I posted the question lol.

I added my pump on a timer to only come on for 5 minutes/hour during the day to keep my moss wet, and 5 minutes/2 hours at night. Before it was on constantly during the day and off at night. Hopefully I see improvements over the next few weeks. It isnt a huge deal since they are still growing, its just a little more yellow then I like lol. Worst case senario, I'll mount more vines epiphytically and use the soil solely for leaf litter/moss lol....At least I know the moss enjoys the wet soil!

...And thanks Claymore!

[beckdg]

absolutely... dying/smothered/drowning roots would certainly keep them from taking in the proper nutrients.

thank you! the pics are really nice.