False bottom question.

[dylanserbin]

So i am planningon makeing a false bottom viv and i am using egg crate, screen then layered substrates. Underneath the eggcrate i plan on having the water pool down there and then be pumped back up to "fall/trickle" down again. Does anyone know of a good way to do this or have any good sites?

[HewesHort]

i dont quite understand, are you going to have a water area or just land? if you have a water area you can make a waterfall or stream using great stuff and eggcrate. basicaly you want the pump to draw water from one side of the tank and deliver it to another, keeping it circulating. keep in mind that you will need some kind of filter and access to the pump, so you probably dont want to bury it under the soil, use eggcrate and screen to retain the substrate around your pump. there are some very good examples in the construction forum.

if you have only land it might be a bit more difficult you need to make sure the moving water doesnt splash too much and soak your substrate. research how pondless waterfalls are made to get some design ideas. this page will give you some basics to get you started.

[dylanserbin]

Ok ok, thanks so much. I don't plan on having a pond area, maybe a very subtle stream area, but i planned on that just ending and re-soaking into the substrate. Do you think that will work?

[beckdg]

check out my favorite link.

[HewesHort]

if the water goes directly into the soil, it will most likely keep the soil soaked. it would probably be better to have the water drain back into the bottom through a rock basin. you can use a piece of PVC to seperate the stones from the substrate. try something like a 4" coupler.

definately check out the link in becks sig, that set up is incredible!

[dylanserbin]

I decided to have the the water fall into a stream. I will make a sort of water fall leading down to a pond at the bottom

[HewesHort]

sounds like a good plan, just make sure your substrate doesnt get soaked by a splashing waterfall or leaky divider and you should be fine

good luck

[beckdg]

oh, do please share when you get a chance. i always love to see what people come up with.

[escargo_pf]

I'm still somewhat confused as to what you wanted to do. But yes, soaking the soil doesn't sound like a fantastic idea since this is a vivarium, right? Meaning you're going to put an animal in there?