Leca as substrate for terrarium -- algae?

[MJG]

ES and DC, last night I went back and read (and reread) a lot of material on terrarium building. You've both talked me down from creating a 2.5" sloshy layer of leca down to about 1.25". Thanks!!!!! I think you saved me from an ugly mistake.

I also went back and edited some of my earlier improper terminology in this post.

If this were a true closed-system wardian case type of setup, then I think ES's recommendation to use 0.5" would be spot-on. My system won't be entirely closed. I'll be adding new water periodically from overhead, I'll be running exhaust fans, and so I do think I need a little more water in case the drainage layer falls below my 1.25" level as things evaporate.

DC, you mentioned this...I do plan to using mesh over the 3" of leca, and then the actual substrate for planting on top of that.

I still have the question of algae. Ray's suggestion of Dawn detergent is helpful. However my situation is different from his terrarium. I would need to periodically introduce new soap and disperse it into the leca in the drainage layer. I haven't worked out how to do that yet.

I've read above people blacking out the drainage/false bottom area beside they say algae won't grow without a light source. That might work but I want to be able to see the water level.

Hmm. I'm still inviting some brainstorming on the algae issue.

[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