Eco Web as a substrate???

[claymore]

Have any of you guys used Eco Web as a substrate/drainage layer?

I figured since most of the plants we use in our terrariums are Epiphytes. Why not use eco web as a substrate/drainage layer?

And what plants that do need soil, you could always carve out a small crater for soil and the plant.

It would drop down the weight instead of using lyca or Feather lite. And soil.


So any feed back?

[Grimm]

Probably because its super expensive compared to other options. Aswell as epiphytes arent usually grown on ground level. It might look a little funny having broms and tillys grow in between a carpet of moss and leaf litter imo haha

[claymore]

Very true grim I never thought about that lol.... I was just pondering what would be a good substitute for a drainage layer... I love the idea that Pleh did on his 120 Gallon with the Poly foam....

120 gal Paludarium build with grey foam

But it seems both the poly foam and the eco web are both super expensive.

[Grimm]

I think if you actually calculated the cost of Pleh's background, and compared it to the typical method of foam covered in silicone/co-co, or other types of construction, they would be similar. He only has to pay 10$ a square foot for the stuff. It may even be cheaper since that is the only cost he had.

Using our methods you have to factor in the cost of everything he didnt use....Egg crate, expanding foam, silicone, coco fiber, land substrate, drainage rocks/lyca, window mesh, pvc piping, titebond glue, concrete, binder, paint.....ect ect ect. Whatever method floats you boat, will differ in cost.

I prefer using expanding foam covered in something, better then the bare foam method since it gives a more natural and uneven texture/color. Also, Pleh's background completely removes the need of a drainage layer since it is a paludarium. I think for palus it is a great technique, for vivaria, not as much.

[claymore]

Yeah your right... When I buy supplies, I buy in bulk. So I get so used to just going into my supply closet and grabbing what I need, and forget how much the project in net how much it costs me lol.

I like the foam that Pleh used... Gives it a nice clean look. I know he bought in bulk from an actual supplier... Is there a place like a Hobby Lobby or somthing that would sell smaller quantitys??? I wonder....

Yeah I like using the GS method as well... You can get a little more creative results I think with GS...

On my next build I am going to experiment with some of the black Pond and Garden GS.
I'm thinking if you take some fine grit sand paper and sand down the black GS you could get a cool effect with out covering it.

[Grimm]

You can definately get creative with GS. Not to toot my own horn but my 2nd build has a pretty neat design that would be difficult to achieve using large foam chuncks. Plus if you screw up using the chunks it would be a lot harder to fix the problem. With GS you just slap more of it on haha

[claymore]

Oh yeah GS is the way to go 99% of the time... I've been getting ideas off the web and i'm going to try some really thick banyon tree roots on my next vive!

Any pics of your new vive yet? Or did you post them already?

[Grimm]

Yeah its been sitting on my floor untouched for the last few months...Just search "Grimms vivarium build #2" or something like that lol...Its a smaller viv but I think I used the space well and came up with a 1-of-a-kind design.

[Epiphile]

Claymore, I think this is probably worth pursuing- there are other materials to Epiweb which are much cheaper that would work well as a drainage layer. I believe some people on Dendroboard have used Matala for this with good success.

I was thinking of doing something like a hydroponic ebb and flow system with Epiweb or similar placed horizontally, where the water would flood up into the material and water the roots for a while and then drain back out to let them breathe and dry out a little.

No plant technically needs soil (at least, that's my thinking)- hydroponics proves that, at least. Lots of plants would take to this method if you planned it right.

[claymore]

Originally Posted by Grimm

Yeah its been sitting on my floor untouched for the last few months...Just search "Grimms vivarium build #2" or something like that lol...Its a smaller viv but I think I used the space well and came up with a 1-of-a-kind design.

Can't wait to see the finished product!


I found some Matala on ebay... Still seems a little pricey. I think i'm just going to recycle the lyca balls that are in my old Rough Green Snake 29 gallon.