False bottom vs. clay balls

[marilu]

I was wondering which you all prefer...for those of you who may have done both. I can see advantages to both, but want to know how you experts feel about false bottoms vs. clay balls as a way to raise the "land" area above the water portions. Thanks for your input! I'm learning so much just by reading all the posts in this forum. What an amazing place!!!

[Jason]

The only diff i feel with a Fb or Clay balls is the expence and work involved in setting up the tank. A FB is by far the most expensive and work intensive but lends itself to much more creative designs by use of eggcrate, Clay balls you just dump in and create a slope. So in my opinion i would use a False Bottom useing eggcrate over Clay Balls for enviromental versatility in regards to shaping and hideing your gear.

[marilu]

Thanks, Jason. Your answer is a help. And you're right about the creativity the fb allows. I was also wondering if there is any difference re: cleanliness of either. Does "gunk" build up faster with the clay balls or with the egg crate?
Of course, I will have a filter in my setup, but wondered if there was any difference in that regard.

[beckdg]

if you have a seperate reservoir for your pump and water, i'd say go with the clay balls. they will help mature your tank and are used alone as soil in hygroponics. that is hygroponics (fertilizing plants through animal waste water) NOT hydroponics (chemically engineered soilless growing). they are also a great drainage layer and perfect for unruly rooting plants. to make a structure you can use silicone to glue them together in small spots making a retainer wall out of them. just stack a few glued together at the height you desire with spaces in between and back fill. kind of like we'd do if there was an area susceptible to rock slide along the highway.

if you don't want to drill a drain line into your tank or do not have something suitable for a reservoir or space under a cabinet for equipment, then a false bottom will be necessary to hide your equipment.

do not neglect a drainage layer either way!

here is a perfect example of how to use leca balls for your ground:
Construction of a large vivariumat www.poison-frogs.com

btw, once leca balls are in there... no need to remove for cleaning. the plants will use what we'd normally clean. i have heard people complaining about cleaning backgrounds, false bottoms, and anything under or in them.

[marilu]

Beck, you're quickly becoming my personal consultant! Wow, what a great answer! The terrarium link you provided is awesome. And the info on clay balls vs. false bottom is just what I was looking for. I do have one more question. Could I create a false "rock" that would cover a pump for a waterfall/stream bed? I was thinking of siliconing/epoxying some shale pieces togehter that would hide the pump and thus avoid the need for a false bottom. (Can you guess that I'm a bit challenged when it comes to measuring, cutting, calculating, etc.?)

Anyway, I'd love your opinion on my rock idea. Thanks for your expertise!

[beckdg]

marilu, i just wanted to let you know the wife thanks you for your compliments. she thinks your compliments are giving me a big head, making me happier and in turn more pleasant to deal with. i think i've just been slacking on my job... i'll catch up later... lol.

she too enjoys the little comments i leave here, and i always check with her to see if it's ok first.

yes you can. there are a lot of ways to do it also! you can use silicone, river rocks, slate (almost any rock), foam insulation (spray or panel), concrete, haba crete, grout and sealer... let your imagination take you away. it is really just an artistic expression so long as it is safe (no sharp edges for quick strikers, nothing high in metals in a water column, etc.).

a really easy way is to slowly build up a mound of gs (attaching what you like along the way) and carve/drill/melt w/soldering iron a hole for your tubing through it. you can do it in a box w/wax paper behind it so it can take the shape of a corner easily w/no carving.

you can also use white styrofoam stacked and siliconed together. just break off pieces in the shape you want leaving it kinda disorderly so the end result looks natural.

with all these techniques you can use silicone and a dry substrate like a moss or coco fiber, or more of a concrete/grout to cover it. concrete and grout alike can be colored with a simple additive. this allows you to pick various reds, browns, greens, black and white to match or offset while still keeping a natural feel.

also waterfalls often happen over cliffs, so one right in your background looks great... even better if it runs down some root wood and splashes onto a rock formation or such.

once again, you are far too kind, and there are many people on this forum you will come to find very useful. i find jason to be one of them myself.

[marilu]

Once again, thanks for such great suggestions, Beck. When you refer to "grout", what exactly are you talking about?

I like the idea of "building up rocks" by using styrofoam. I may try some of that when i finally get the tank I'll be using. I keep putting off making any decisions, because I feel I have so much to learn before I ever begin making my vivarium/paludarium. I don't have an abundance of space, so this one is "it" for now!

Glad my comments are making you "more pleasant to deal with"! Lol!

[beckdg]

bathroom tile grout . with any cement or grout, remember the surface should be porous and thinning out first layer or 2 really helps.

[marilu]

Ah, poor Beck! I do have one MORE question: If I would use grout, then would I have to seal the whole thing, just as in bathroom grout?

Thank you once again!

[beckdg]

i would say yes to be on the safe side... maybe someone who has tested it knows otherwise and can advise.

edit: i believe harrywitmore has mentioned using a waterproof grout.