Madagascar Mantella Paludarium

[deranged chipmunk]

up and running, i have my 125 white's paludarium, a 20L paludarium i built for a rubber banded frog i gave to my son, a 75g planted tank, a 30g planted tank i just set up for crystal red shrimp, and my wife's (i do everything to it, she just chose the fish..lol) 55g planted tank. sitting around waiting to be built, besides this one are, a 29g bowfront that will be for red eyes, a 60g custom tank that is slated for d. leucomelas, a 15g that is going to be an aquatic life paludarium, and about 4 or 5 10g tanks that i have leftover from shrimp breeding. at one time, i think i had roughly 20 tanks going, give or take. oh, and the wife is buying me an 18" cube exoterra for xmas....LOL

[pinkfeet]

Mannnnnnn loving this thread! Can't wait to see how it all turns out.

[deranged chipmunk]

oh yeah, forgot my daughter's 20L (stolen from me) red ear slider tank.

[deranged chipmunk]

Mannnnnnn loving this thread! Can't wait to see how it all turns out.

thanks Frogz. it's coming close to the end and i haven't even ordered terrestrial plants yet. but i do have 99% of the aquatics i plan on using, so at least i can get those going while decide what orchids i want in it.

[Sunshine]

Your tanks are awesome! I want one!

[deranged chipmunk]

Thanks sherry no problem, you can any tank you want. Just drive to philly, a butt load of cash and we'll load one up for ya....lol or i can just put them on webcam....lol

[deranged chipmunk]

ok, last "contruction" update. i really did not feel like doing anything tonight, but it's amazing how motivated i can get with a ridiculous amount of coffee and some techno music....lol so, if i recall, i promised i would show my diy rain system tonight and here it is:

i am very fortunate in the fact that i live about 10 miles from a hydroponics store. if you have never been to one, let me tell you, it's like wonderland in there! all the wonderful gadgets and soils. oh the soils! i should have taken the blue pill, then i would still have money in my pocket (or was it the red pill, i forget). anyway, i was browsing their irrigation systems, and after a lengthy discussion with the sales associate, i walked out of there with enough to build my own. now, unlike a misting system, this system works off of low pressure, roughly 0.5 psi (according to the rep), so that means i don't need a mega dollar pump to run it. in fact, it runs off of a mid sized pond fountain pump, which i picked up at my favorite LFS. (LFS is short for Local Fish Shop/Store in case anyone was wondering) that is why i am calling this a diy rain system, not a mister. the spray is not as fine, and this is more for watering my plants than to introduce humidity. also, it allows me to create seasons within my tank much easier. the pump cost me $27.00 all the fittings in the pic and the pots cost me $30.00. now, keep in mind i bought way more than i needed because i didn't want to keep making parts runs. add to that $5.00 (i think) for 10ft 1/2" i.d. tubing from home depot and we're done. so for less than $50, i will never have to worry about watering my plants. provided it works of course. i didn't set this up completely before i broke it all down and foamed, but i had the basics working, so it might take some tweaking. on with the pics:

oh, and this is the hydro store i use. yes, they ship Garden Indoors | Hydroponics, Grow Lights and More!

hopefully, you guys noticed those big, heavy lengths of 1/2" i.d. vinyl tubing running across the top of the tank, because that is my water supply line. there are 2, one across the back, the second across the top of the left side. they were joined together using a 1/2" y-adapter, which then runs down to the pump. forgot to take pics of that. then you take this handy dandy installation tool, and poke a hole in the hose:


then the fitting just pushes into the hole and seals itself:


next, i attached 1/4" vinyl tubing to the fittings. i have a lot of this for my fish tanks (for pressurized co2), but it goes for $4.00 at home depot. these are going to be covered in silicone and coco fiber and draped in strategic locations. and the ends of the "vines" will be these fittings. these are for a 360 degree spray. they also make them in a 180 degree as well. i am going to pick up some 180 ones, because i am an idiot and didn't buy any. here are the "nozzles"


and here is my jumbled mess of "vines"


then i added a couple more branches. adjusted the pot in the top left corner (it was too high) and did my final foam job:


Rain system be gone!! the vines will be the very last thing i do before i fill the tank. i'm still working out how to attach them to the branches, yet make them removable for maintenance. i'm highly considering small dots of velcro for that job. i am welcome to other ideas. i will give all this a couple days to cure, then i will trim off any excess foam at the top, and start covering. guess i will next be updating wednesday or friday. i might even cough up the secrets to the titebond method stay tuned

[pinkfeet]

Looking awesome. Hydro stores r awesome. An way better in price. Being in Cali we have tons witch is so nice. Hydro balls r super expensive so I bought a huge bag there for only $30 thank heaven for hydro stores. keep up the good work on the tank.

[deranged chipmunk]

Looking awesome. Hydro stores r awesome. An way better in price. Being in Cali we have tons witch is so nice. Hydro balls r super expensive so I bought a huge bag there for only $30 thank heaven for hydro stores. keep up the good work on the tank.

you guys have a plethora of hydro stores so the drug dealers can grow the real primo $hlt!! LOL but yes, they are awesome!! i pay less than $3/brick for coco fiber and nobody else around carries bat guano and dried kelp meal. and their soils are just awesome. i grow almost all of my plants, terrestrial and aquatic with them. the root feeders in my planted tanks LOVE the soils.

[pinkfeet]

Hahaha don't even go there. This I know. It is Cali hehehe but I don't visit my local one for those reason but having so many is very nice ) great for my green house too lol

[deranged chipmunk]

don't feel bad, i hear there are more stores in miami than the entire state of Cali.....LOL i'm just happy that not a lot of people know about them, that way it's never crowded or out of stock when i go.

[pinkfeet]

Hay no worries here I just can't believe Colorado legalized it befor us!! But hydro stores r hidden gold minds. my local one is pretty busy or at least the one I like the best is. But the guys there r so helpful an knowledgeable.,. Haha really Miami has that many? Funny.. Iv Hurd or least o thought I had hurd the weather over there was not that great for growing. Ok ok so off topic lol.

[NatureLady]

I think that you forgot the 180 heads so that way YOU COULD go back! LOL. Looks great and don't hide your secrets...this is suppose to be your 'tell all'!!!

[deranged chipmunk]

Aha! There's my stalker.....lol don't worry Amanda, step by step of the titebond method may be as early as tomorrow evening. All depends on how much food i can get prepped for thursday. Yes, I cook thanksgiving dinner in my household. I'm the better cook....lol

[deranged chipmunk]

Oh, and while you are right that i may have forgotten subconsciously, except i was planning a trip there this weekend to pick up some worm casting and bat guano for a carnivorous plant terrarium i am building.

[NatureLady]

Aha! There's my stalker.....lol don't worry Amanda, step by step of the titebond method may be as early as tomorrow evening. All depends on how much food i can get prepped for thursday. Yes, I cook thanksgiving dinner in my household. I'm the better cook....lol

Actually studies have shown that you are not out of the norm being the better cook! Men are taking that role in households more and more these days. I personally keep the title at my house, but I am the youngest (by ten years) of three kids and my oldest brother and his wife are our Turkey/Ham cookers!!! Yum

Awesome on the titebond method!!!!!! I attempted a gorilla glue method because I never bought into the silicone and coco fiber way. Then I had two wtf's die for unknown reasons and tore it apart to bleach the tank and save my only survivor. Now I just have bare and boring walls that are FINALLY getting covered with photos vines.

I have a build in the wings that is just ready for something to cover the GS. I am proud of it, but it has sit for months now because of our move and me being stubborn. When I get that one finished I plan to revamp the animal room and remodel my wtf tank.

And don't worry...I stalk from the middle of the US...you are safe for now! HA

[deranged chipmunk]

glad to hear you saved one of your little guys. That gorilla glue method sucks. Gorilla glue is nasty and messy. I ;hate working with it, bjt it is a necessary evil sometimes. You are going to be surprised at just how simple the titebond method is.
And lime i told my bed bully, no worries about anyone stalking me, i'm uglier than a horny wildebeast on LSD.....lol

[NatureLady]

HAHAHAHAHAHA! I only stalk by reading posts. I am not a mega poster here. I like to read and dream of the things I could do.

I seriously can stop thinking how a horny wildebeast on LSD would look....this thought will keep me giggling all day. BUT, I am on my last day of 6 at work before 6 days off, so I NEED A GIGGLELY THOUGHT TO GET ME BY!

[deranged chipmunk]

Well, i am glad i could put a smile on your face. I know how the 6 day stretch is. I work 6/week. But i never get 6 days off.....lol

[IrishRonin]

I like your "vines", great idea. I also feel the 6 day stretch but like you I never get 6 off, it's probably for the best all my animals mightily die knowing my luck. Funny enough my mom asked me to help with the cooking for turkey day, I think guys are just better cooks. Keep up the good work and keep us posted