Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been reading everything I can find out setting up a dart frog tank and think I'm ready but there is something that isn't clear to me yet.

Are false bottoms with egg crates better for permanent setups than gravel? I kind of get that idea but the only main difference I've found is access to the pump if it breaks is harder with gravel. I'm more worried about permanance and cleanliness than pump access. Sorry for the newbie question!

im a newb too but the first time i built my tank i used gravel and i dont think it worked as well as a properly made egg crate false bottom. The thing is if you go with the egg crate dont be stingy with the the support legs!!!! The spots that dont have pvc legs will bend and dip into the water or just completly fall apar.thats the mistake i made and now i have to tear my tank apart for the second time. This time im gonna use alllllllllot of legs. Alot of people dont like the way egg crate looks and use gravel but one thing ive noticed about people who keep dart frogs is that they are very opinionated. Alot of people have alot of diffrent strategys and what not and will push you to do things the way they do it. Of course im not talking about the general care of the dart frogs because these guys know best but alot of people will tell you hey "this enclosure is no good" your backround needs to be this or that. Just do your research.Really dont half-ass the researching part. And after you research and are clear on how to keep the animals happy and healthy go for what ever you want. Whether its gravel or egg crate or waterfall or no waterfal and blah blah blah you get my drift. so theres your super long answer haha

Thanks for the answer. I think the false bottoms look really bad too, that's why I'm going to cover the sides so they can't be seen. Problem solved!

both are good to use although if you want something like gravel use hydroten its alot lighter and i would also use some sort of screen between the gravel and substrate to keep them from mixing-i used 2 layers quilting mesh or whatever it is called like 25 cents a sheet and it seems to work well
eggcrate is alot lighter but you still need to use some sort of screen to keep the substrate from falling into the water below it
so its pretty much whichever you would rather have

Or use Coco-Tek Hydroponic slabs, cut them to fit, cut out your ponds and spaces for pumps, fill in around the glass with gravel to hide the slabs, or don't, because they aren't ugly,and you've got it! Put your substrate on top of them, with a layer of weed cloth in between to filter our fine particles of dirt. It's the simplest solution I've found after doing many different things, but no one else ever seems to pay attention or try it out. Perhaps it's too unchallenging.

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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
6 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
6 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

don't be, it's a very good question, i think false bottoms are better for long term tanks. i have gravel in a lot of my temp. tanks. for larger tanks false bottoms are more economical too. but for a 10 gallon it's just a little more $$$ for gravel. flse bottoms are nice cause you can put filters, water heaters, and water pumps for water falls under them. this is almost impossible with just gravel. also, even if you're not using any water heaters, filters... they seem to keep the humidity up more than just gravel, not really sure why, but they do. here's how to make one:

Step one: The first thing you want to do is put 3-4 inches of black silicone around the base of the tank. This is to hide the PVC. Let this sit for 24-36 hours before doing anything else.

Step two: The next step is to put the PVC in. The diameter of the PVC depends on the size tank you are building and what you plan to do with it. Cut the piping so it is between one and three inches high (most of the time they will do this for you at the place where you bought it) and silicone them to the bottom of the tank with clear silicone.

Step three: After the PVC is in place you put the egg crate over it. If you want to have a water area then have the PVC gradually get smaller to make a slope leading to the water area. Then if you plan to make a waterfall insert the pump closest to where the water will be. It is important to put the tubing of the pump through the egg crate so it is visible. If you have sloped the PVC for a water area then slope the egg crate there too.

Step four: Then put screen over everything. This is to prevent substrate such as dirt from clogging the pump.

Step five: You have the basic foundation laid out, now you just need to add substrate, plants and herps. My suggestion for the first layer of substrate is to use either large river rocks or pebbles, on top of this put either moss or dirt. Live moss is the best to use because it does not deteriorate like dirt and does not mold. It also will not get caught in the pump. Then put all the décor in as needed. If you had done a pump put the plastic tubing through the substrate(s) where you plan to have the water come out of.

good luck!and contact meif you have any more questions!

THanks, i'll definitly use that advice, especially the part about making sure the egg crate doesn't cave in! Now I just have to find the best deal on some cypress wood. That stuff is expensive!

glad i could help. yeah, cypress wood is exprnsive. i've never used it for that reason, i just use driftwood i find, and that works pretty good. good luck!