[brinkerh420]

What substrate layer before the leaf litter is best: Sphagnum moss or coco husk?

Thanks,
Will

 

[jake9134]

I always used gravel, ~1/4 in diameter or slightly smaller. dont get the painted stuff it flakes off over time. some use moss or coco coir but it degrades over time and has to be replaced

 

[DragonSpirit1185]

ABG mix then leaf litter...you don't really need anything else

 

[Dizzle21]

+1 on the ABG mix...

 

[Twiggyb]

What's ABG?

 

[SnakePaparazzi]

ABG is the soil mixture used by Atlanta Botanical Gardens... Very good stuff. Josh's Frogs sells it along with many other vendors who sponsor the board.

 

[Dizzle21]

thanks christian!
me and alot of members make our own heres a rough formula.

2 parts Ground Tree Fern or coir
2 parts milled Sphagnum Moss
2 part fine orchid bark
1 part sphagnum peat moss
1 part charcoal

 

[tclipse]

What substrate layer before the leaf litter is best: Sphagnum moss or coco husk?

Thanks,
Will

Neither, ABG mix or clay substrate

 

[fieldnstream]

A layer of easily composted leaves (I use red or silver maple) is a good idea as well. So the best would be substrate, soft leaves, then more durable leaf litter. Your bugs (thus your frogs) will thank you.

 

[Dizzle21]

Neither, ABG mix or clay substrate

Off topic: have you used a clay substrate before? thinking of doing my next few tanks to try it out

 

[Pumilo]

Off topic: have you used a clay substrate before? thinking of doing my next few tanks to try it out

Mine are holding up beautifully, with the exception of the Sodium Bentonite based formula. That one turned to mush, as I predicted. We scooped it out last week. The RedArt formula, that I posted the thread/recipe on, I still wouldn't change a thing.
To the OP, here is some info on ABG mix and Clay substrates. http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/parts-construction/63732-clay-substrate-how.html
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/general-discussion/22990-ultimate-clay-based-substrate-thread.html
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/parts-construction/63915-truth-about-abg-mix.html

 

[tclipse]

Off topic: have you used a clay substrate before? thinking of doing my next few tanks to try it out

Yep, really cheap and works well, as long as you get the plants set before you start misting/watering. Once the clay chunks are wet, you don't want to move stuff around.

 

[Pumilo]

Yep, really cheap and works well, as long as you get the plants set before you start misting/watering. Once the clay chunks are wet, you don't want to move stuff around.

Very true Teddy, but you can still poke a hole with a stem sized stick and poke a cutting down in. You can also just drop a rooted cutting onto the clay and toss some leaf litter over the root mass. It will root in and find it's way soon enough.

 

[Dizzle21]

thanks doug and teddy!
now gotta get some more Pum tanks done!

 

[DragonSpirit1185]

What's ABG?

it's pretty much the best substrate you can use.
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/pa...th-about-abg-mix.html?highlight=truth+ABG+mix
can't speak to much for clay substrates but I heard they work well.

Off topic: have you used a clay substrate before? thinking of doing my next few tanks to try it out

I'm thinking about it too.
Pumilo has an awesome guide on clay substrates.
here it is is case you haven't seen it...
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/pa...y-substrate-how.html?highlight=clay+substrate
I'm thinking about getting the clay additive from NEHerp and mixing with my ABG on my next viv so I don't have to make it then get it fired and whatnot.

 

[fieldnstream]

I'm thinking about getting the clay additive from NEHerp and mixing with my ABG on my next viv so I don't have to make it then get it fired and whatnot.

I think the stuff they add is similar to turface, not certain about that though. Im getting a 50 lb bag for $8 so I'm sure I will have plenty to share with you.

 

[brinkerh420]

I already got some from Josh's Frogs, is this the same thing?!?! Josh's frogs is like 7.00 for a few gallons, and yours is 50lb for 8$?

 

[freaky_tah]

I already got some from Josh's Frogs, is this the same thing?!?! Josh's frogs is like 7.00 for a few gallons, and yours is 50lb for 8$?

I think he's talking about a clay additive that he wants to mix in with ABG. I'm guessing what you bought from Josh's is the actual ABG mix, not this particular additive.

 

[fieldnstream]

Yeah the clay additive, not ABG (though 50 pounds of ABG for $8 would be a glorious deal).

 

[Neontra]

Yeah, isn't 50 ibs of abg gonna turn out to about 200 gallons of ABG?