Leca as substrate for terrarium -- algae?

[DirtyCoconuts]

MLG- i think you are overdoing the riparian layer if you are going to have that much on top.


the real benefit to a "false bottom" if that the water cycle can occur in the tank (mist and condensation drip down and then evaporate and are consumed back up).

if you are doing the membrane (i used outdoor screening) you want the entire riparian layer below that so there is air too. I agree with ES, use a total of 3" of leca with .5"-1" of standing water...then it will wick an evaporate and save you a lot of space and possible headache.

any less than 1" might be tough to keep the levels constant so shoot for 1" is my suggestion.

the youtuber who make masterpieces don't seem to EVER have a 4" layer and so i suspect it is overkill

[DirtyCoconuts]

it is quite easy to block most of the area or block most of the light

i would consider one of these:

very dark tint - cheap and easily removed if you wanted

heavy vinyl sticker (any color, i would go black) and then cut a viewing strip somewhere convenient about 1" wide, running from bottom to top

get static cling stickers- more expensive; entirely removable and also full light block- probably look the worst

[estación seca]

What's wrong with looking at algae? It's neither a swimming pool nor a toilet bowl.

[MJG]

Originally Posted by estación seca

What's wrong with looking at algae? It's neither a swimming pool nor a toilet bowl.

So, part of the ambience then? I hadn't considered embracing the algae.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I don’t know enough to know if it would compromise or change the oxygen exchange in the water but I don’t worry about it in my SH containers