Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It is still inprogress, but i wanted to show you all how its comming.
Ryan

So far so good, what do you plan to put in it?
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

I like it! I just drilled a drain in my tank & installed a bulkhead this weekend... just waiting on a ton of supplies from Black Jungle to start putting it all together!

Looks good! But what kind of soil is that? Potting soil? If so you want to remove it and get some substrate that is better suited for a terrarium say from T&C terrariums for example. If you use potting soil (assuming thats what it is) it will break down extrmemly quicky and become a big mess, then have to be replaced.

aj
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kungfu28181: My god. You are insane. -Mon Jun 30 21:41:05

>>Looks good! But what kind of soil is that? Potting soil? If so you want to remove it and get some substrate that is better suited for a terrarium say from T&C terrariums for example. If you use potting soil (assuming thats what it is) it will break down extrmemly quicky and become a big mess, then have to be replaced.

That would be my guess, considering from the pic it looks like it has chunks of pearlite or those little styrofoam balls that they love to put in it. If that's what it is, he needs to nix it right away.

Yeah that is potting soil. What is the stuff i need? Where can i get it?

I have found potting soil to work allright if it doesn't have the styrofoam and perlite in it. My mix that I have been using for a while is 70% eco earth, then I add some green dried moss, leafs, charcoal, some sand, potting soil, and orchid bark. It usually ends up working well. You don't have to buy a mix you can do it yourself with stuff from your local hardware store, if you plan to do another tank you can just put it in bags and keep it. Here is a website that shows the american botanical garden mix that lots of people used and recommend but I have never used,http://www.tracyhicks.com/FFAQ.htm. If that site doesnt' show up, its been wierd lately, I am sure someone else here has it.
mark Jemison
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Click here to See my frogs and Terrariums!
0.0.6 Green and Black Costa Rican D. Auratus
0.0.4 D. Azureus
0.0.2 Golden Mantellas

Heres some recipes from some kingsnake users

Recipe:
2 parts orchid bark
1 part coconut fiber that comes in the brick, like eco earth
I have used this mix in a few set ups and i think its great
NateW of Kingsnake

Recipe:
2 part coarse (1/2" sq.) coco husk chip
2 part small (1/4" sq.) coco husk chip
1 part activated charcoal (horticultural grade)
I buy the coco husk chip from rolanka.com for $7.25 per 1.5 cu. ft. (that's a bunch of chips), soak them and rinse the chips several (10-20) times before use to remove any salt and reduce the tannin content. Some herp companies are now starting to sell the coco husk chips, but they're far more expensive. This makes a very airy mix that retains moisture well without being soggy. Moss seems to grow well on it, as do all the terrestrial and epiphytic plants I grow in it. I actually got the idea from an orchid nursery.
Homer1 of Kingsnake

Recipe:
:Ok what does every one use for soil mix's I use the ABG mix witch is
:2 parts fine fir bark
:2 parts fine tree fern fiber
:2 parts milled sphagnum moss
:1 part fine charcoal
: Brian Ferriera Jr.
: Plympton,
Ferriera of Kingsnake

When i started pricing how much it would cost to make my own mix (which i only prices one place) It was going to cost more and envolve work. I got mine from T&C ( http://home.att.net/~a.j.calisi/moss.html last item listed). I got 24 quarts (for my 38 gallon tank) for only $21 premixed. My plants are doing great.

aj
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kungfu28181: My god. You are insane. -Mon Jun 30 21:41:05

I like the ESU Technologies jungle litter however it is usually a little high in dirt/small bark pieces so i mix it with orchid bark(also from petstore cant remember brand) I can get both bags for $17 total at the local petstore. That will cover a 29 gallon floor to about 2-21/2 inches. I also keep my plants potted under the mix; makes it easier to do plant changes so depending on pot size i usally gain4 inches of height to wards the back.

Darryl
http://www.dart-frogs.com

n/p
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Quality Captives

I used a pressure fitting that I bought from my local aquarium store, and took my tank to a glass shop to have it drilled. Will post some pics for you later on tonight.

We are in the process to changing all of our tanks over to acrylic and getting a misting, drainage system in place. We just ordered the supplies last night to make our own bulkhead and misting system and I was curious how yours went together.

btw...it has been a pleasure debating you on the issue of the crosses. You and the people who have responded have brought up some very good points and for the most part everyone has refrained from Flaming.

Melis
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Quality Captives

here are a few pics of the bulkhead. I am still debating whether to use it as an overflow drain & have a reservior, or to just use an internal pump & open the valve to drain when a few days misting raises the water level... it's kind of overkill really, buy I like my cages to be as easy to maintain as possible. I knew I did not want to be siphoning.

.

I found this link while looking for bulkheads. Hope someone finds it helpful.

Kyle, it might be a good addition to your link page.

Melis
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Quality Captives

np
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Matt

Sorry about that. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_bulkheads.php
Link

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Quality Captives