[nschmitz06]

My substrate is quite moist, is this ok? I still need to put some leaf litter on top but i just finished planting. It seems to stay really moist all day and even in the morning. I have a water feature but it only runs for an hour 3 different times during the day. I will post pics tomorrow after good lighting is available.

 

[gootswa]

You don't want the water to be saturated. You want it to be damp, not soggy. If that's the case you are fine.

In some of my earlier tanks, the soil was so soggy that the roots on a lot of plants just melted away.

I will have to take a look at the pics once uploaded.

 

[varanoid]

You want the soil to be moist and airated not saturated and anerobic.

 

[jibfest]

Proper drainage is crucial. 99% of plants need at least a little drying out between watering which is sometimes near impossible in our vivs with all the misting to keep the humidity up. Its more effective on pinned/mounted plants but at least some kind of air circulation can be the differance between a thriving viv and a soggy brown mess.

 

[nschmitz06]

I'm thinking mine is more towards soggy... I get off work at 2pm Central today and will post pics then. I have only fiberglass screening to hold my substrate up but maybe i need more "chunks" of substrate material instead of what i have. Its a fine coco/spag/charcoal/peat mix. The pics will help alot--

 

[nschmitz06]

The first one is in the viv, the second is on a piece of printer paper

By nschmitz06 at 2011-08-05

By nschmitz06 at 2011-08-05

Thanks---

 

[MeiKVR6]

The "dirt" part of substrate (peat/coconut fiber) shouldn't exceed 50% of the mix. Unfortunately the current substrate won't be too ideal, and will likely break down and go anerobic fairly quickly. This thread will help:

http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/parts-construction/70538-genuine-abg-vs-abg-equivalent.html

You should add (more) charcoal, orchid bark, and tree fern fiber to the mix. After those are added, you should be good to go.

 

[nschmitz06]

ok perfect, maybe ill just buy some ABG equiv from newherp or the actual ABG just becuase its cheaper for the size i have to buy premix then for me to go out and add more of each. Thank you!

 

[Zoomie]

I'm new so feel free to ignore me.

I use the ABG type substrate made by one of our vendors and love it. It drains so well that I don't think it can be overly moist without physically leaving it submerged. It seems to retain only so much moisture, then sheds the rest.

You may be able to adjust/add to your current mix and have relatively worry free substrate.

 

[gootswa]

Agreed, definitely looks way too moist and you need "coarser" things in there, such as wood chips, sticks, or the charcoal that was already mentioned by meikvr6. Do you have a false bottom or anything like that?

 

[nschmitz06]

Yes, this is in my recent build with a false bottom and waterfall area. Here are some pics of the tank now.

By nschmitz06 at 2011-08-06

By nschmitz06 at 2011-08-06

By nschmitz06 at 2011-08-06

By nschmitz06 at 2011-08-06