Backround Tree Fern Panels or Coco Panels

Which one of these would be better to use as the backround of a 20L. I have a few of each that I could use for my false bottom 20L viv. I was thinking that If I use the tree fern panels for the backround I could use the coco panels as part of the substrate over the false bottom. Just wanted to get every ones opinion on this. Thanks again for the help.

Mike P.

I personally really prefer the cocos panels-- I'm not sure if that's what you meant by the cocoa panel or not. Tree fern can be amazing, but I really prefer sustainable backgrounds like the cocos panels. I think they hold water much better and also look great. I have drip walls with them and also other terrariums just have them as background. Everything grows rapidly on them and I find them very easy to work with.
j

srry should have proof read it first but yes that is what I meant.

Yeah, I would definitely use the cocos panels then. I just use a small pliers to pull out a small plug where I want the plant, then I wrap the roots with a little bit of wet sphagnum and stuff it in the hole. It works wonderfully. Then when plants vine, I train them in position with toothpicks until they root themselves where I want them. The toothpicks usually discolor quickly, so you don't notice them. I guess eventually I could post pictures of some of my terrariums now that they're growing in more...
j

[lacerta]

Not much vivarium experience here, but I had read on several European websites that tree fern panels make better backgrounds because they do not rot as quickly as cork bark, and other materials. This especially true for wet-wall backgrounds. Not real sure what "coco" panels are. Perhaps they are also rot resistant. Also tree fern panels are expensive and for the environmentally sensitive types, they are supposedly endangered. I do know they are very popular with the orchid fanatics who use them as a substrate for the epiphytic species.
George

[jbeetle]

I would go with cocos panels, for many of the same reasons Justin made.

[nessus]

I am using tree fern panels in my vivarium. I have not used CoCos. While I agree tree fern is not sustainable (Bad vivarium keeper), it works very well as a growing medium for plants. Most of the water I circulate through my vivarium is passed through the tree fern panels. The rest of the water I circulate is used for a small water feature.

Reasons I like tree fern panels:
1. Easy to use.
2. Drains VERY well.
3. Natural appearance.
4. Easy to obtain.
5. Plants grow very well on it.

[Darks!de]

So what are the pros/cons between using coco panels and coco bedding/silicone?

-Luke

The panels hold moisture a lot better, and are very simple-- you silicon them in place. The other way you can shape it as you want, but it takes a bit more time, more effort/mess, and doesn't really physically hold water in place. If the terrarium is very humid (which it probably will be), then it's not as much of a problem. I find with my larger tanks that the panels make things easier on me and the plants by being thicker and holding the water.
j

[Darks!de]

Well i'm in the midst of planning a bigger tank and was planning on doing the silicone/coco bedding backing. Is there was of using the coco panels AND molding the backing to a shape you want?