Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is a palidarium I built. I worked the mortar over the tree fern so that I can grow some plants around the rockwork. I have an internal sump area so the false bottom is 5 inches off the bottom so that the soil doesn't get soggy. the air gap will help the plants grow (think nitrogen cycle). I have rocked up the water fall and stained it all to sort of mimic chemical errosion found in nature and sculpted the rockwork to sort of reflect limestone and a stream bank. It's not done and i'll post more photos as the plants get in.

I only us aqua-via or rio pumps and for 12 dollars have a great amount of presure to make it all work. the wood is redwood that i had soaking in some tannin and moss spores so it should pop when the system balances out. the plants will be from brazil. I plumbed some drain holes under the wood and will fill that pond area with various sizes stones to hide them, still allowing for water to flow but debris to not. I brought the tree fern panel down into the water to soak up some of that "souP" made in the pond system which should really bring those plants to life, once they're in, lol.

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Thnx,

Deven

I can't figure out how to post multiple photos so here is another.

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Thnx,

Deven

This photo shows a closer view of the waterfall.

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Thnx,

Deven

That's going to be very nice.

I like the Rio pumps, too, but usually purchase extra impellers because I've found they tend to crap out over time. But the Rio 600 series will pump just about any amount of water you want up to 4 feet high.

Since redwood is already rich in tannins, was there another reason for soaking it in tannin water? I've often wondered why more people don't use redwood when it is available to them, but it never seems to be mentioned as logs or backgrounds for frog tanks. I have done some research on this, and can't find anything in the chemical make-up that would be toxic to animals that aren't going to accidentally ingest it. In fact salamanders and newts are often found in and around old redwood logs. I know cedar shavings have a bad reputation as a substrate in herp tanks, but that seems to be more of a problem when they are accidentally ingested than with skin contact. It seems that the avoidance of conifer wood in general has more to do with the presence of turpenoids, especially in pine, and the fact that pine also deteriorates rapidly. Redwood, on the other hand doesn't contain these volatile compounds, is very slow to deteriorate, and seems to be an ideal wood to use.

Do you have some ideas about this?
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

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

I like the Rio pumps, too, but usually purchase extra impellers because I've found they tend to crap out over time. But the Rio 600 series will pump just about any amount of water you want up to 4 feet high.

Since redwood is already rich in tannins, was there another reason for soaking it in tannin water? I've often wondered why more people don't use redwood when it is available to them, but it never seems to be mentioned as logs or backgrounds for frog tanks. I have done some research on this, and can't find anything in the chemical make-up that would be toxic to animals that aren't going to accidentally ingest it. In fact salamanders and newts are often found in and around old redwood logs. I know cedar shavings have a bad reputation as a substrate in herp tanks, but that seems to be more of a problem when they are accidentally ingested than with skin contact. It seems that the avoidance of conifer wood in general has more to do with the presence of turpenoids, especially in pine, and the fact that pine also deteriorates rapidly. Redwood, on the other hand doesn't contain these volatile compounds, is very slow to deteriorate, and seems to be an ideal wood to use.

I have to have a collection permit or work with an arborist to get it unless it's near open areas so that might be one reason, other then that, most people just think grape vine, and what ever else is sold the the "frog stores". I love redwood. I get huge felled roots and yeah, it's just great! you won't concern about vocs' as this is not a compound, but the tannin and resin are a concern. i use eucaliptis(sp) if it's been felled for a year or so for just that resin. as for soaking it in tannin, it just lowers the pH of the water a bit more so that the intake of the spores is better. distilled can "burn" spores during this so i neutralize it with leaves. I really dislike any cutting of wood for a terrarium. i only use felled wood and often bury it in a moss and fern spored leaf mould for while before using it.
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Thnx,

Deven