I've been reading a lot of threads on frog related boards about creating backgrounds and water features with Calcium Bentonite Clay. Frogger's seem to love it because it harbors tons of springtails and other small insects, and those insects supposedly become calcium enriched from living in a high calcium substrate. The substrate that seems to be popular is a mix of clay, moss and peat and is meant to be kept damp once it's hardened to avoid cracking. Certain posters even seem to have waterfalls and drip walls using the stuff, and haven't had much problem with keeping their water clear if the clay is sufficiently hardened prior to adding the water flow. Plants are easily pressed into the soft background, and it has holding power enough for large broms and driftwood. Setting up a tank that would take days with foam can be done in hours. It seems like a great solution for vivariums, but I'm wondering if it would work well in a paludarium where there's a lot more water going on.
I'm curious if anyone's tried it, and what your opinions are on the calcium bentonite's affects on water quality and fish health. I'm also thinking it could be a benefit to snails and shrimp... But have nothing to go on. It's tough finding answers, since froggers rarely seem to care about the water quality in their viv's... and rarely have enough water to make a big difference.
Let me know what you know!
I'm curious if anyone's tried it, and what your opinions are on the calcium bentonite's affects on water quality and fish health. I'm also thinking it could be a benefit to snails and shrimp... But have nothing to go on. It's tough finding answers, since froggers rarely seem to care about the water quality in their viv's... and rarely have enough water to make a big difference.
Let me know what you know!