Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi

I've been searching the web trying to find out if using epoxy coated gravel is ok to use as the gravel "filter" system for a terrarium for D. Leuk..

Essentially the system will be a setup consisting of a gravel bottom (~2" deep) with a mesh atop the gravel (to prevent coconut shell bedding substrate from mxing down into gravel) with a coconut shell bedding atop the mesh ... then moss/plants/etc. A circulating water pump will draw water from the gravel level a distribute it over logs/plants/ ...

Thank in advance!

Epoxy coated gravel should be totally safe. I've used it in many of my amphibian setups. The coating will come off if you boil the gravel which would make it unsafe, there is usually a warning about this on the bag. Good luck,
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
0.0.4 Dendrobates galactonotus 'Red'
4.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
2.1 Mantella crocea
0.1.4 Mantella madagascariensis
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.1 Phelsuma dubia
1.1 Uroplatus ebenaui
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

hey, i just read a great idea in the old message forums, under silicone soil. hope it helps!

Kind of getting away from your initial question, but I wonder why more people don't use a false bottom instead of "dummying" up the bottom with heavy pea gravel? I guess its a learning curve, because my initial tanks were done with gravel bottoms and WEIGHED A TON ! I'm in the process (always, it seems) of re-doing tanks I created years ago and am using the egg crate method of bottom building. I'd recommend to anyone starting out to consider it...especially when the time comes to move your tank(s).
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Scott Menigoz
Phelsuma: grandis, kochi, standingi, laticauda, v-nigra, mad mads and klemmeri
PDFs: azureus, citronella, alanis, terribilis, green& black auratus, cobalts, patricia, regina, leucomela, vents, Brazillian yellowheads, reticulatus and galactonotus
Over 100 Tads/young frogs of azureus, alanis and cobalts

Sounds insteresting. Can you describe it a little bit more?

Actually using egg crates???

Hi

Terra-lite is a great alternative to gravel. As the name implies it's very light. It's also larger in size which keeps it from getting compacted as gravel sometimes can. You can check it out at the link below.

Also, this what eggcrate looks like. It's usually used in flourecent light fixtures. You can buy it at many harware stores. It's whats on the bottom of the tank. It's held up off the bottom by 3" pieces of PVC pipe.

Link

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Leif

0.0.3 Tinctorius (Oelemari)
0.0.3 Luecomelas
0.0.3 Auratus (Green/Black Costa Rican)

Leif's picture should show how eggcrate material is used. Just dummy it up off the bottom with inert blocks--many use PVC tubing cut into sections; I use styrofoam. To avoid seeing the eggcrate/empty space from the front, I cut the eggcrate width a little less,creating a gap to the front of the tank. Once I drape the screen over the eggcrate I fill this gap in front with the screen; fill this gap with pea gravel to level with the eggcrate. I extend moss over top of this gravel and it really fininshes the front view.
Next time you need to move the tank, your back will thank you!
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Scott Menigoz
Phelsuma: grandis, kochi, standingi, laticauda, v-nigra, mad mads and klemmeri
PDFs: azureus, citronella, alanis, terribilis, green& black auratus, cobalts, patricia, regina, leucomela, vents, Brazillian yellowheads, green sips, reticulatus, imitators and galactonotus
Over 100 Tads/young frogs of azureus, alanis and cobalts

Yes, that's exactly what I did. The egg crate is 2 1/2" off the bottom but it doesn't look like in the pic. I also used black silicone on the front then removed the excess to hide the eggcrate/pvc/gravel. Either way works fine. I did use gravel on top of this eggcrate. Now I wish I had used Terra-lite like my other tanks.
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Leif

0.0.3 Tinctorius (Oelemari)
0.0.3 Luecomelas
0.0.3 Auratus (Green/Black Costa Rican)