Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was going to make a waterfall out of great stuff but then I had an idea and was wondering what you guys would think. I was thinking that I could make my waterfall out of sculpey clay. I am pretty good with using it and I know I could make or form a really cool water fall out of it. I have read where people have made aquarium ornaments out of it with no ill effects to thier fish. Has anyone here done this and how do you think it would work for the waterfall?? Do you think it would be safe for the frogs? Thank you for any advice or answers in advance I really appreciate it a lot! Have a great day everyone!

I've never used sculpting clay myself, although my son has built a Mayan temple and some belching frogs out of it for me. But I have used Winterstone, which is somewhat like a plaster that you can put over a wire form and burlap, much like papier mache' and doesn't require firing or glazing. You do have to seal it with a non-toxic sealant, however.

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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris

Thank you for replying to my post. The stuff you where talking about looks really neat too . I have never heard of it before though. I would also use a wire structure of some kind or maybe even crumpled up foil under neath the clay so it wouldn't take up so much clay or take a really long baking time. I would probably have to seal the sculpey clay as well. What would you suggest???? Thank you so much for your help!

I used several layers of Jasco transparent "Cure-Seal." It is water based, so safe to use. You have to be careful about the sealants, as they can be toxic and may remain so. You may experience some wicking of the water into the surrounding substrate, but if you have a good drainage area, preferably with a recirculating false bottom, this won't be a major problem. You will have to replace some water occasionally, and will probably want to do partial water changes occasionally, anyway. At first, you will get a lot of foaming and brown discoloration that may take some time to clear up. I really don't know what the foam formation on any new water fall system is caused by, but it is temporary. It seems to be a universal experience, so doesn't seem to be due to any particular water quality.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris

Thank you! Do you know where I can get the Jasco Transparent cure seal? It sounds like it would be perfect for what I would like to use it for. It seems like the sculpey clay will be fine to use as long as I seal it before I use the waterfall. That is great news for me. I am going to be useing the false bottom in my tank. So the drainage part hopefully will not be a problem. I was just going to put the water pump in the bottom but from what I have been reading it seems like a good idea to run a filter in the bottom as well or can I circulate the water in a different manner? I am afraid that the filter would become clogged up and I will not have acess to it to be able to clean and unclog it. Thank you very much Heather

You can get the Jasco sealer at Wall Mart, Home Depot, or Lowes, whatever you have near you.

I don't use filters in the false bottom unless you count the weed cloth between the substrate and egg crate (or more recently, the Coco-Tek slabs, which also serve as a giant filter.

I've nearly completed my own newest 10 gallon with the Coco-Tek false bottom, so will be posting some photos very soon. I'm just testing out the water circulation and drip wall now.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris

Okay I will check those places out . Thank you! My tank is between 45-55 gallons. The entire bottom was going to be a false bottom. So I wasn't sure if I should use filtration or not I guess that is personal preferance?? I am building it out of egg crate and was going to use the screen that everyone recomends using. I know that I need to put the pump that powers the waterfall into a plastic container with holes to keep it from getting clogged up from particles that might seep into the water. Is there anything else that is recommended?? I have the stuff for my false bottom but I have not put it in yet. I was waiting until I got my pump to put it in. So I know where to cut extra room for the pump, how big of a pump do you think I will need? Thank you in advance have a great day!

I use mostly the Rio 600 pumps, as they fit well, pump with very low water levels, are adkistable, and are easy to maintain. I'd advise you to get an extra impellor, as in my experience this is usually the main problem with them when they go out on occasion. Otherwise, I think you are on your way.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris

Thank you. I was in Lowes the other day and was going to to get the smallest pump they had there but decided that it might not be a good idea. Its max height was three feet and I didn't know if that would be to much power.I will look into the rio pumps. Thanks for the heads-up and I will get an extra impeller.
Thank you for all your help!