False Bottom Questions

[fraksocks]

I would like to put a false bottom in my new tank. I got the egg crate stuff but I'm unsure how to cut it. It seems like it's rather brittle and might shatter or break awkwardly if I try cutting it with the wrong tool. Any suggestions from people who have already done a false bottom?

[CallaLily]

I used wire cutters to cut each individual plastic bit to cut it to size. I'm not sure if it's the best way but it worked for me.

[fraksocks]

Thanks. That's what I was thinking about using but my mom and the guy at the hardware store seemed to think it was a bad idea.

Ok next question...what's the best way to measure so I get it to the correct size?

[KellyCrabbieLove]

I used side cuts

[CallaLily]

Ok next question...what's the best way to measure so I get it to the correct size?

This is where I made my husband help because I just knew I'd measure wrong. You want it to be a pretty snug fit.

[4happycrabbers]

Is a False bottom needed? I founds lots of people keeping frogs talking about false bottoms but not much here. I am upgrading my tank soon and want to do it right.
Thanks.

[CallaLily]

Is a False bottom needed? I founds lots of people keeping frogs talking about false bottoms but not much here. I am upgrading my tank soon and want to do it right.
Thanks.

I wouldn't say you have to have one but it definitely gives me peace of mind where flooding is concerned. I only have it in one of my crabitats. I'm planning to put one in the other too, if I ever get around to figuring out some way to do a topper on it to give it more height.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

I didn't know to make one and lost 2 crabs to a flood. I had to get rid of 250 lbs of substrate, clean the tank, build the bottom and set the tank back up. Running errands to get everything and a break for lunch plus the time on everything seems ended up taking me 17 hours to fix. You NEED a false bottom.

[Breeezy]

It can't hurt to have one. Egg crate is super cheap. You just cut one little square at a time!

[IMS08]

What is a false bottom? What does it look like?

[Breeezy]

What is a false bottom? What does it look like?

Here's a couple tutorials written by some other people online. They're very common in vivariums.

http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-terra ... ottom.html

http://www.frogforum.net/tree-frogs/153 ... ttoms.html

http://www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/arti ... ottom.html

Some people even use hydroballs rather than egg crate!

[Cydonia1]

will these hold the weight of all the sand though? Thats the biggest thing I'm worried about for when I take everyone out next year for the big clean when I make mine. The substrate that the frogs use seems to be alot lighter and less of it.

[CallaLily]

My false bottom is PVC pipes, egg crate, and the garden weed stuff with 12 inches of sand castle consistency play sand with cocofiber mixed in on top. I used more PVC pipe supports than the site I used as a guide recommended but it's holding well.

[Breeezy]

will these hold the weight of all the sand though? Thats the biggest thing I'm worried about for when I take everyone out next year for the big clean when I make mine. The substrate that the frogs use seems to be alot lighter and less of it.

Yeah egg crate can hold! It's super thick. I can't break any with my bare hands, so I don't see why it wouldn't hold up to the weight of sand. The sand will go through the holes. It's just designed to keep the water on the bottom if any excess collects, away from crabby access.

[CallaLily]

The sand will go through the holes. It's just designed to keep the water on the bottom if any excess collects, away from crabby access.

That's why you use weed block. The egg crate a PVC are just to lift it up off the bottom of the tank and for support. The weed block keeps the sand from falling through. I see crabbers putting plastic needlepoint canvas over the weed block to prevent crabs from punching holes in it too.