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I know this isnt exactly the right forum, but I figure someone here could give me some tips/advice.
Im redoing my firebelly toad tank (20 gal. long) for the 625th time this year because im not happy with it. *** been playing with designs for years, and have had the tank running for 4 or 5 years now. I really like the natural look, so Im trying to avoid things like foam and plastics when its possible in the landscape of the tank (although if they are hidden, its ok). My goal is to have it about half land and half water, but with the land along the back and left side (the tank sits in a corner, the front and right side are visible, and im trying to hide the landmass from view because it looks ugly). I am also not a big fan of siliconing plexiglass into the tank, because that makes it a little too permanent if I want to change it in the future. Im also trying to do some sort of a waterfall/stream, which may split the landmass in 2, or may just run down one side of it. I plan on planting out the land, and eventually adding a couple of smaller fish to the mix in the water side (possibly, I havnt decided yet, it depends on the tank).
Now, on to my question part. When doing the land, I use gravel, and cover it with soil or bark, or some other substrate, but unless it is about 4 inches away from the water it always gets soaked. Is there a way to prevent this? I had a thought of sinking plastic containers into the land and using these as planters, and then just having a thin layer of soil on the top, is this a better idea? The drawback would be that the plants would have to be watered separatly. Should I use a plastic liner to separate the areas? And for the waterfall, should I again use a liner for the stream area, or just use rocks in the right combination, or go one further and use piping or ducts or something? Im still in the planning phases, so any suggestions would be greatly appriciated.
Im redoing my firebelly toad tank (20 gal. long) for the 625th time this year because im not happy with it. *** been playing with designs for years, and have had the tank running for 4 or 5 years now. I really like the natural look, so Im trying to avoid things like foam and plastics when its possible in the landscape of the tank (although if they are hidden, its ok). My goal is to have it about half land and half water, but with the land along the back and left side (the tank sits in a corner, the front and right side are visible, and im trying to hide the landmass from view because it looks ugly). I am also not a big fan of siliconing plexiglass into the tank, because that makes it a little too permanent if I want to change it in the future. Im also trying to do some sort of a waterfall/stream, which may split the landmass in 2, or may just run down one side of it. I plan on planting out the land, and eventually adding a couple of smaller fish to the mix in the water side (possibly, I havnt decided yet, it depends on the tank).
Now, on to my question part. When doing the land, I use gravel, and cover it with soil or bark, or some other substrate, but unless it is about 4 inches away from the water it always gets soaked. Is there a way to prevent this? I had a thought of sinking plastic containers into the land and using these as planters, and then just having a thin layer of soil on the top, is this a better idea? The drawback would be that the plants would have to be watered separatly. Should I use a plastic liner to separate the areas? And for the waterfall, should I again use a liner for the stream area, or just use rocks in the right combination, or go one further and use piping or ducts or something? Im still in the planning phases, so any suggestions would be greatly appriciated.