The False Bottom/ Drainage layer is very important because it will provide a void for the extra water within the tank to go. It will also help retain some moisture to help keep up the humidity in the tank. 1.5″-3″ seems to be the best amount as it is tall enough that you will not have to empty the water every month, but yet short enough that it allows maximum space above for occupants. Keep an eye on the water level, as it rises you will need to siphon it out before it floods the substrate above. There are lots of different types/materials that are used for the drainage layer, but here are the most common:
Rocks
Pro’s
- creates voids for plants
- looks natural
- can be picked up at any building material store
- available in many colors
- not expensive to buy
- can be used for other home projects as well
Con’s
- heavy
- shipping is expensive
- must cover with substrate barrier
- will need a lot of rinsing prior to use
Rocks can range from $1.25 / pound of river rock up to $3.50/ pound for fancier rocks. The cheapest places I could find was 5# of river rock for $5.50 from Lowes or .5 cu. ft. of pea gravel $3.25 from Home Depot
Turface/ Perlite
Pro’s
- good at wicking water
- plants can easily root through
- Can be mixed into traditional ABG to increase drainage
Con’s
- less voids than LECA
- heavier than LECA
- may clog drains due to small size
The cheapest place that I found to buy Turface was through Glass Box Tropicals. They offer both a 1 gallon or 50 lbs size. You can also buy this through Amazon, but the price is considerably higher.
LECA/hydroton
Pro’s
- PH neutral
- lightweight
- will not decompose or compact
- re-useable
- some look natural
Con’s
- hard to find due to shortage
- should rinse prior to use
- must cover with substrate barrier
- need to order online as most pet stores won’t carry
- some brands of LECA may float
The cheapest bulk price I found was on Amazon, however if you are willing to spend less than $5 more, you can buy it from Josh’s Frogs or NE Herp.
Egg Crate
Pro’s
- Can buy at building materials store
- lightweight
- can easily be cut and stacked
- can be siliconed to glass to avoid frogs/tadpoles in false bottom
- holds a lot of water so less frequent emptying of false bottom
Con’s
- looks unsightly
- takes awhile to cut, zip tie together and assemble
- must cover with substrate barrier
- Very sharp once cut
The cheapest price I found was at Home Depot, however if you wish to buy it online there are some kits which include (6) 11.8″x5.9″ pieces to connect together.
Growstones/ Feather-lite
Pro’s
- 100% recycled & environmental friendly
- very lightweight
- looks natural
- will not decompose or compact
Con’s
- must buy online
- must cover with substrate barrier
- expensive
- have been some reports of affecting water PH; may need to be neutralized.
The cheapest price I found for quart bags is at Josh’s Frogs, however if you need a gallon or two Amazon is cheaper.
Matala
Pro’s
- Easy install
- light weight
- reusable
- Simple to cut & shape
- lots of surface area for bacteria to thrive
- 4 densities; black or green are best for terrarium use
Con’s
- expensive
- must cover as some frogs have gotten stuck in it
Cheapest place I have found is Amazon, however it is expensive so it is worth it to check if aqua-mart is having a sale.
- Low density Black Matala 24″x24″x1.5″
- Medium density Green Matala 39.5″ x 24″ x 1.5″
Foam Pond Filter Material
Pro’s
- easy to use
- no substrate barrier required due to tightness of filter material
- ease of cutting and shaping -box cutter, hacksaw or steak knife all work
- sturdiness under load without flexing
Con’s
- make sure it is pond/ aquarium use otherwise it may leach chemicals into the water
- rinse prior to placing in tank
I bought a 23.6″ x 17.7″x 2″ from Amazon and it was the perfect size for the bottom of my Zoo Med NT-4 tanks to allow for a bit extra to create hills.
The Frog Lady 
This is so helpful! Had a chubby frog about two months and I was thinking it was time she got an UPGRADE! Thanks to this article my research time was cut in half! Time to get to work!!
Yesterday, when I was removing a tarp that had covered a construction project since last fall, I discovered a frog that I do not see listed in your “Frogs of Minnesota.” The frog had red eyes and was sitting on the house framing 15 feet off the ground. It was less than 3” in length (squatted as it was). Any idea what this could have been?