Leaf Litter??

[jehitch]

Originally Posted by 2bacop

I wanted the false bottom so that I can put the filter under there to filter the water

A tank with a hydroton drainage layer does a good job of filtering the water if you don't have large frogs. Throw in a little fairy moss or other aquatic plants, and you're good.

If you really want a filter, drill a bunch of holes in a piece of PVC pipe longer than the height of the hydroton layer and substrate, and silicone it to the glass bottome of the viv (vertically) before adding the hydroton. You now have a spot to fit the filter. Lay a piece of slate tile on top and build the substrate layer up to it, and it's not even noticeable. You can even create a waterfall out of pieces of slate for a flowing water feature.

Need to access the filter, just lift the slate tile.

[2bacop]

Originally Posted by jehitch

A tank with a hydroton drainage layer does a good job of filtering the water if you don't have large frogs. Throw in a little fairy moss or other aquatic plants, and you're good.

If you really want a filter, drill a bunch of holes in a piece of PVC pipe longer than the height of the hydroton layer and substrate, and silicone it to the glass bottome of the viv (vertically) before adding the hydroton. You now have a spot to fit the filter. Lay a piece of slate tile on top and build the substrate layer up to it, and it's not even noticeable. You can even create a waterfall out of pieces of slate for a flowing water feature.

Need to access the filter, just lift the slate tile.

wow thats a really good idea!!!

[bug nick]

not to be rude but why do you want to spend money when you can do it from home. All of my suppliers have told me to boil leaves. I have picked them from local trees and boil them. Which i have 4 tanks and all the leave litter has come from local trees. I boil them for about a hour then let them sit until I need them. I haven't had any problem or frogs die. Its very cheap. and work awesome.

[morselchip]

First of all- definitely NOT a stupid question, 2bacop! The magnolia leaves hold up much better in the dampness of the tanks- I mix mine with local oak to make sure I have both hide spots for the frogs and food for my springs as the oak breaks down in the humidity. I find that a big magnolia leaf works really well as a feeding spot, too- my leucs know exactly where to go when I open up the tank!