Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i want to make my waterfall out of the great stuff foam.is this possible?and if so what can i put on it to get a different texture?

also how can i put the pump so it is accessable but still in the water for pumping?

i want it like this.http://www.vivariumconcepts.com/vivhome.htm
how can i get the waterfall like this?or is already made?

I put a plastic food keeper dish punched bull of holes in the false bottom where the pond will be, then put the pump in this. It can be filled with smooth rocks to hide the pump, with some overlapping flat rock to disguise the edges of the pond. If you need to remove the pump for maintenance, all you have to do is remove the rocks covering it and disconnect it from the tubing at the pump. The tubing can go behind your water fall, but the electric cord can simply be disguised with moss, etc. so it can be easily removed without disrupting a lot along with the pump. The water in the false bottom will circulate through the plastic dish. Holes are easily poked in plastic by heating an ice pick. This also helps to filter out any extraneous debris that may find its way to your false bottom from the substrate. I don't use any particular filtering devices except the black weed cloth over the egg crate between the substrate and false bottom.

I've also constructed false bottoms from CocoTek Grow Slabs, which are made from a rubberized cocoanut fiber, and wall off a section for the pump and pool with this. You can get this from General Hydroponics. So far, I really like this solution better than any so far. It also acts as a coarse filter. I do put another substrate for the plants on top of this, and again, rocks in the pond area, as you can't use any hydroponic ferilizers in the tank without compromising your darts.

Oh yes, you also posted below about the best darts. I agree with Josh about the leucomelas. They get along in groups rather well, too. You may see a little bit of inimidation behavior when they are breeding, but this is relatively rare. I also really like the Phyllobates terribilis for boldness. Although they do occasionally use the upper parts of the tank, they are mosly found on the ground and remain in the open most of the time.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

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