Mike's Frog Room

Discussion in 'Members Frogs & Vivariums' started by afterdark, Apr 4, 2017.

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  1. dawndj

    dawndj Contributing Member

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    I suggest using a tone of silicon and apply it with gloves. I also cut and carve all the GS we use in our vivs. We use brown silicone as well and make sure the coco fiber or whatever you use is completely dry.

    Dawn
     
    dawndj, Apr 23, 2017
    #21
  2. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    I think this was also part of my problem on the first attempt. I had left the coco fibre to 'dry' in the bucket I used to hydrate it. It felt mostly dry to me at the time, but now that I've felt what it's like ACTUALLY dry, I'm convinced I should have waited longer. Impatience is an ongoing struggle haha.

    This is the 'natural' colour. It's actually not too bad for wicking - about as much as aquarium gravel or similar I would guess. It's fired clay, so it's not as porous as you'd think.

    Found the specs of the product I'm using: http://www.turface.com/sites/default/files/_media/resource/turface_mvp_data_sheet_3.20.17.pdf
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2017
    afterdark, Apr 24, 2017
    #22
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  3. mystah

    mystah Legendary Member

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    Mike I'm am interested in how you are using it. I have 4 tanks to build!
    Is it still available in Canada?
    Is the leaf layer right on the Turface?
    What are the plants planted in?
    I imagine it would be crazy good for Springtails

    Can you detail a little more about how and why you use it?
     
    mystah, Apr 24, 2017
    #23
  4. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    Hey Jeff - I believe you can still get it from Plant Products. When I picked it up (years ago now) they had a location in Brampton, but it looks like Ancaster would now be the closest to you: http://www.plantproducts.com/ca/contact.php.

    I'll add more details later tonight...
     
    afterdark, Apr 24, 2017
    #24
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  5. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    Got a few minutes now while I wait at Crappy Tire to get tires swapped...

    Basically I use the Turface as you would any other drainage layer. I put about 1.5-2" in the bottom of the tank. Then a layer of window screen. Then my substrate mix, which is fairly standard:
    Cocohusk
    Coco fibre
    Long fibre spagh
    Turface
    Crushed up oak leaves

    I don't have a super scientific recipe, I just eyeball till it looks appropriate.

    As for WHY I use it, back a few years ago everyone was experimenting with making their own clay substrates, and trying to supplement the substrate itself with calcium. It was always a fairly involved process getting the clay mix right, screening to the right size, and treating it so that it wouldn't break down into mush in the tanks. I did some research on what was available in a commercially available product and stumbled on Turface, bought a 50lb bag, and here we are. Haha

    I personally quite like it, though I don't know how much of a difference there is between this and using hydroton. It for sure adds weight.

    No complaints from frogs, plants, or bugs in the almost ten years I've had it in tanks...
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2017
    afterdark, Apr 24, 2017
    #25
  6. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    Two new additions went in the temp tank tonight. R. imitator 'Tarapoto'.
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2017
    afterdark, Apr 26, 2017
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  7. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    Was able to get a lot of planting done with big thanks to @Drew and @Kim's Nature. Pics to come once things have grown in a bit. carl:)
     
    afterdark, May 2, 2017
    #27
  8. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    [​IMG]
    A few of the plants that went into tanks.
     
    afterdark, May 2, 2017
    #28
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  9. Dendromad

    Dendromad Contributing Member

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    I have used Turface for years in all my tanks at home and work (including my planted fish tank) plants LOVE it as it retains nutrients for them to use! It is a great drainage layer, I don't even use anything between the turface and the substrate as it is very compact and as long as nothing burrows into it everything stays put.
     
    Dendromad, May 2, 2017
    #29
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  10. erikm

    erikm Administrator Staff Member

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    Nice plants Mike! Funny, I always read that it wicks really hard into the substrate. Maybe I will get it a shot!
     
    erikm, May 2, 2017
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  11. Drew

    Drew Administrator Staff Member

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    its all about how thick the layer of turface is compared to the amount of water you have in the tank

    Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
     
    Drew, May 2, 2017
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  12. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    Picked up my Sunblaster LED this weekend, here's an updated rack shot:
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2017
    afterdark, May 21, 2017
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  13. TheForSaken

    TheForSaken Member

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    What miniature orchid do you have in the brown pot?
     
    TheForSaken, May 21, 2017
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  14. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    On top of the middle tank, left to right: random succulent, orchid from Drew that I will check the name of, random succulent, grocery store orchid. ;)
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2017
    afterdark, May 23, 2017
    #34
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  15. Drew

    Drew Administrator Staff Member

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    "orchid from Drew" is a Vanda testacea
     
    Drew, May 23, 2017
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  16. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    [​IMG]

    Nominal imitator eggs.
     
    afterdark, Jun 2, 2017
    #36
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  17. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    afterdark, Jun 4, 2017
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  18. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    [​IMG]
    One of my small exos, looking forward to getting some frogs in here.
     
    afterdark, Jul 11, 2017
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  19. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    Two of the three Yumbatos I picked up from Vince today checking out their new tank.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    afterdark, Dec 16, 2017
    #39
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  20. afterdark

    afterdark Administrator Staff Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    afterdark, Dec 16, 2017
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