Substrate Question

[NMiamiguy40]

I currently am using a layer of med size gravel "4inchs" then a layer of some of that material that lets water thru then a mix of organic planting soil mixed with peat moss and coco husk. on top of that would be spagnum moss and leaf litter.

Could i do without the dirt and peat moss and go all spagnum moss with the leaf litter on top?
would plants still grow in it?

[poison beauties]

I tend to leave the soil out in alot of my tanks but the sphagnum dries out quicker. You could also mount planting pots down in the gravel and put the planting soil only in them for the plants.

[NMiamiguy40]

great idea thanks. now i can turn my water feature on without soaking the dirt.

[AFHokie03]

My variabilis tank had just sphagnum and leaf litter, but I recently changed it. The reason was that the sphagnum wasn't doing a great job of absorbing the misting water once it was wet (as any wet thing will do). I was getting a lot of overflow into the LECA layer and had to suck it out more than I wanted. I probably could have just added more sphagnum but it was just too soggy. I put in my normal substrate mix and now I have more of a buffer.

[NMiamiguy40]

the reason i want to do this is that i have a waterfall feature that i want to use. i have a 4 inch layer of gravel then i want to do the spagnum moss then the leaf litter. then i can turn on the waterfall and let the water go from the top down thru a brom and then to the floor and then just go thru the moss and into the bottom and back up. i am sure the moss will stay wet all the time

[SmackoftheGods]

Pictures may help....

I wouldn't use potting soil as a substrate in any of my tanks. Most potting soil contains high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous to encourage plant growth and I'm a little concerned about the frogs absorbing it. I've decided to use the pots in my new tanks so I can put coco fiber over the top of the potting soil so the frogs walk across the coco fiber and my plants still get the benefit of the soil.

[flapjax3000]

Originally Posted by SmackoftheGods

Pictures may help....

I wouldn't use potting soil as a substrate in any of my tanks. Most potting soil contains high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous to encourage plant growth and I'm a little concerned about the frogs absorbing it. I've decided to use the pots in my new tanks so I can put coco fiber over the top of the potting soil so the frogs walk across the coco fiber and my plants still get the benefit of the soil.

Also potting soil contains perlite. Can cause blockages in frogs when ingested. Its the little white pieces that look like styrofoam in the potting soil. Very bad for frogs.

[NMiamiguy40]

my soil is organic. so no perlite. i just want to use my water feature i built as it seems the frogs seem to be exited when i turn it on.

[Malaki33]

I use a combination of Eco earth and top soil (not potting or garden soil), I then add a layer of Sphagumn Moss and leaf litter, it works for me. I have some tanks that have a true false bottom built and some with LECA only, I have had very few problems.

[PumilioTurkey]

I know people who have been keeping dart frogs for more than 10 years and they just put dry leafs onto the glas bottom.