dirrtybirdy
New Member
Do I need a layer of it or is hydroton, organic potting soil and peat moss/sphagnum ok?
Carbon
- Thread starter dirrtybirdy
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dirrtybirdy
New Member
annnyyyybody?!
skeeta
Established Member
Are you talking about substrate for pygmy chams? If so, the common recommendation is hydroton, screen, carbon, screen, and then organic potting soil/peat moss/sphagnum combination plus leaf litter and sterilized vines /twigs/branches. This allows for optimum excess water to be absorbed and filtered rather than becoming a soupy mess on the bottom of the enclosure. Don't forget plenty of live plants to hide among.
If you are talking about true chameleons the answer is ... no substrate.
If you are talking about true chameleons the answer is ... no substrate.
Zen Reptiles
Avid Member
Depends how much water is going to be going through the substrate.
If it's A LOT of water, then I wouldn't bother. The carbon will just become saturated with the 'stuff' it is meant to absorb and be useless after a certain point.
If it's not thaaat much water, then it will last a while.
Overall it isn't really that necessary. I would just change the substrate every couple years instead.
If it's A LOT of water, then I wouldn't bother. The carbon will just become saturated with the 'stuff' it is meant to absorb and be useless after a certain point.
If it's not thaaat much water, then it will last a while.
Overall it isn't really that necessary. I would just change the substrate every couple years instead.
dirrtybirdy
New Member
i have all of the ingredients except the carbon! lol i went to a LPS and they had a bottle of seachem for $50!!! screw that!! imma look for another spot tomorrow to buy it. I have a 20gallon tank with manzanita driftwood that i baked at 260 for 1 hour and a couple ferns. I also have almond leaves that im going to sterilize tomorrow when i get the carbon and everything in. I did change all the soil in the pots to organic potting soil as well.
Only question is, I used some "great stuff" foam to make a background and covered it with peat moss/sphagnum. Is that alright?
Only question is, I used some "great stuff" foam to make a background and covered it with peat moss/sphagnum. Is that alright?
Zen Reptiles
Avid Member
Yeah, that's alright with the Great Stuff.
I never use carbon in my vivs, but they are usually heavily planted.
If you're going to have a lot of feces/decaying matter in there, then definitely go for the carbon. It does need to be replaced though, so remember to do so every so often.
How many animals will be in this vivarium, and what species?
I never use carbon in my vivs, but they are usually heavily planted.
If you're going to have a lot of feces/decaying matter in there, then definitely go for the carbon. It does need to be replaced though, so remember to do so every so often.
How many animals will be in this vivarium, and what species?
dirrtybirdy
New Member
Im thinking a little colony of pygmies. not too sure what species yet. I just want to get the tank up and running to make it less stressful during the transition.
Heres a pic of what I have so far. I will be getting the carbon tomorrow and will be finishing it up tomorrow night. What do you guys think so far?
There will be alot more foliage in there. Im thinking about planting riccia as ground cover and java moss on some braches and on the background.
Heres a pic of what I have so far. I will be getting the carbon tomorrow and will be finishing it up tomorrow night. What do you guys think so far?
There will be alot more foliage in there. Im thinking about planting riccia as ground cover and java moss on some braches and on the background.
