First viv building experience... false bottom question.

suptrace · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2009, 12:36 AM

My fiance and I are in the process of building our first viv, we've made the background with great stuff, silicone, and coco fiber stuff. It looks alright, we've still got to make some touch ups of course.

We wanted to start building the false bottom next, but we're not sure what to use to hide it, so we can't start building it, because we don't know how far the gap has to be next to the walls. We were going to buy some zoo med cork tile online to hide it, but then we weren't sure if it would hold up under water...

Any input on that material? Or others that will hold up better?

beckdg · #2 (**permalink**) 09-07-2009, 08:23 AM

anything wood or wood based/simulated will normally break down over time. cork bark will hold up exceptionally well in comparison but still is not the best material for your uses imo. many people just use gravel in smaller gaps. if the gap is large enough there are many options. if you could provide a pic of where you're at now with a description of what's going on i'm sure one of us can give you some good suggestions.

suptrace · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 07:32 PM

beckdg · #4 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 12:20 AM

specific animal? size of cage? pics? fish? what you got so far? how deep you plan on having water? anything?

cork bark is awesome for a variety of applications. even many where it stays soaked constantly. sounds to me though that in this particular application it might be going between a f/b and glass. this is not the best way to use it. it won't fill the gaps perfectly and considering it will be constrained for space and below water it will probably slowly rot. if you ever have to take it out it seems to me that jammed in between your f/b and the glass will make that chore much harder than necessary.

my best advice for your success is for you to post as much info as possible and/or pics... or ravage the threads and stickies on this and other forums/places on the web to see what'll work best for you. imo, pics and/or more info is a lot easier for you but knowing a little better is to your advantage also.

froggsong · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 08:06 AM

I totally agree with beck. Sometimes when the first post sums it up really well, other people don't feel the need to repeat the information. That's why you didn't get any more responses (or at least that would be my guess...).

Gravel would be your best choice if you don't want to hide the eggcrate behind a layer of silicone. You can also paint the outside of the tank, but it will scratch fairly easily, so that's not for every application. If you did sand you would have to figure out how to keep it in the gap.

suptrace · #6 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 09:22 PM

55 gal long tank. we're going to get some fire belly toads (as our first attempt at amphibians), also adding some guppies in the water. the water is going to be about 4'' deep. i don't have many pictures since we're still building, but here's what we have so far...

HewesHort · #7 (**permalink**) 09-15-2009, 04:29 PM

looks pretty good, what did you use to form the cup for the planter?

beckdg · #8 (**permalink**) 09-15-2009, 07:29 PM

looking good so far. you're gonna have to name your land like a medieval king before you get any animals though. they should really be in their element in there.

suptrace · #9 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009, 12:41 PM

we just put a mound of the great stuff, and then carved it out... i don't recommend doing it like that, it's a pain in the butt.

and thank you beck. (: i'll have more pictures by the end of tonight. we've built our stream, and pool now... just have to finish it up.

Lasher · #10 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009, 01:09 PM

I've never had a problem submerging cork(I dont use the manufactured tiles, mind, I'm not sure how they are made and if they're likely to break down or react differently), the cork on the back of my newts tank has been in and out of one tank or another for years and its fine.
You do need to completley clean it though, loose debris on the inside or any kind of plant matter or lichen will rot. Warm water and a stiff brush usualy does the trick. Using flats and sheds cut and fitted yourself looks alot nicer and more natural than the flat tiles, also gives lots of little nooks, ledges and climbing areas for the inhabitants - just takes a bit(ok, alot) longer to make it.