Ed your just everywhere on here aren't you! Thanks again man!
Actually if your titles weren't on things I was interested in I would probably pass them right by...
A couple of questions about clay.
What kind of clay? Can I use the kitty liter clay we make clay backgrounds out of?
There are a number of different methods people use for clay. What those of us who use clay are attempting to do is recreate the habitat a little better for the frogs, provide the optimal feeder invertebrate conditions (the area where the clay substrate contacts the leaf litter is generally a high activity zone), provide shelter for the microfauna, and ideally provide a method for calcium in the diet. You can use some of the kitty litters (and that is where people who try it for backgrounds got the idea) but you want to work it to ensure that it has structure before you place it into the tank (if you don't ensure it has structure then it acts as a big hardpan and doesn't readily allow water to penetrate it). This thread goes into a lot of the background
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/general-discussion/22990-ultimate-clay-based-substrate-thread.html
I would also suggest pming Pumilio (Doug) to ask for the link to his thread (since I couldn't find it offhand).
Turface is a clay material that is partially fired (it has a projected lifespan of 20 years or more) and is used to create the reddish areas for running the bases and the pitcher's mounds. It drains quickly, provides a lot of the same benefits seen with clay substrates, and works well with the microfauna and is cheap and easy to use. It runs somewhere around $15 for a 50 lb bag and can be purchased at some lawn and garden centers (like John Deere Lawn and Garden Centers) or for a significant cost in shipping.. sent to you.....
Regardless of the substrate, you want to ensure an air gap between the bottom of the false bottom and the top of the water underneath. This is very important to prevent the substrates from becoming overly saturated.
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/ge...0-ultimate-clay-based-substrate-thread.htmlOh! And are those organic soils a compacting type soil ? Or are they even safe?
What about mixing it with sand or bark or something to make it drain easier? Vermiculite?[/QUOTE]
If you are purchasing soils from a store, you need to carefully read the labels and avoid any that say, wetting agents, manure, perlite, vermiculite... Keep in mind that many of the organics you are adding to help it drain are simply going to break down and compact.
My personal preference is to not use them at all and go with either clay, turface or a shallow layer of turface covered with a thin layer of clay.
Ed
