How The Hell Do You...

[derekthefrog=]]

maintaine a live planted viv as i treid it once and failed miserabley
do you have to have hydroleca and membrane and if so what do they do to keep the plants alive???......
all help appreciated
liam

[Pliskens_Chains]

Originally Posted by derekthefrog=]

maintaine a live planted viv as i treid it once and failed miserabley
do you have to have hydroleca and membrane and if so what do they do to keep the plants alive???......
all help appreciated
liam

ive never tried it, ive heard that you pretty much have to get it right first time or it doesnt work.
its something i'd like to know more about though.

[sarahking20]

it helps to drain the excess water out of the soil to stop the plants getting over watered and dying

[berksmike]

At the bottom of most of my vivs I put 2 inches of hydroleca. On top of this i put a layer of weed suppressing fabric and then soil on top of that. Then plant directly into that.
I have coco backgrounds to allow climbers to hold on and I mount bromeliads into this also. I also mount bromeliads on branches.
Water shouldn't be an issue as you'll be misting the viv regularly but you will need to provide light - I use arcadia natural daylight fluorescent tubes.
You are always going to lose some plants - I assume you want some big leaved plants for your tree frogs? I have always found peace lilies (Spathiphyllum), pothos and philodendron very hardy.
There are also a great number of very attractive ferns and orchids (particularly jewel orchids) that do well.

Dartfrog www.dartfrog.co.uk has a great selection.

[derekthefrog=]]

thanks!
really appreciated!
liam

[spend_day]

am i the only 1 who only has stones at the bottom of there planted viv (my fire salamander) and just make sure i dont over spary my plants