First Timer: Exo Terra 30x30x45cm Build

[dbizal]

Hey all, so I have ordered most of the stuff I need to construct a nice background for my Terrarium/Vivarium (including the Terrarium itself).

I am aiming to keep a couple of Melanophryniscus Stelzneri (Bumble Bee toad) and would love any suggestions for plants I should aim at getting. I am aiming to replicate the habitat of this species so any input would be amazing.

The items bought and waiting for so far:

• Exo Terra Terrarium 30x30x45cm model
• Black Silicone - For covering the background, some of the side and for just sticking stuff down.
• Egg Crate - For false bottom
• Water Pump - For creating a drip wall/waterfall
• Black Gravel - For around the false bottom and in a small pool I will be creating (not too deep)
• Terrafern - For coating most of the back wall

I might buy some Great Stuff, but that all depends what the backdrop looks like that you get free in the Exo Terrarium.

My aim is to create a nice little water feature with built in filtration, which either drips down the back wall or creates a waterfall leading into a little pond like section. This will not be deep but enough for the species to use when they want without the fear of drowning. I need some suggestions of the plants I should look at getting - Real plants only please, I don't mind a little bit of gardening. Also what kind of substrate would you guys recommend?

I will be editing this post and keeping a journal of my progress, maybe a few video diaries also and pictures - depending on how stressed out I may get haha.

Stay tuned, and any help is appreciated

Danny.

[dbizal]

Seems like I cannot edit the Original Post? Oh well, guess I will have to update each post.

I have changed my mind and am looking at keeping Dendrobates Leucomelas aka Bumble Bee Dart frogs instead. Is this a good idea for a beginner? I will read up more before I make my final decision, however I am quite set on having Dart Frogs!

I am to have my Terrarium/Vivarium set up before I go ahead and buy any species of frog anyway as I can get an idea of how to control the humidity and get some plants growing.

The Terrarium should be here tomorrow, and I hope everything else arrives so I can get a start on building the false bottom and back wall (will silicone the back before I do anything anyway). I will be posting pictures/videos each step, I hope to get some input from you experts on here and also any suggestions of plants and stuff would be great!

[flybyferns]

Leucomelas are a great dart to stat with.
They are easy and very entertaining

Be careful they don't get too warm

Keep us posted

[dbizal]

That is great news

I am aiming to test my temps and try to stabilize them along with the humidity before I think about adding any frogs to the tank anyway - Just to be on the safe side
More research is needed though, but until then I hope to start the build tomorrow if the Terrarium arrives haha.

Would I need to add a fan to the tank if I am getting Dart Frogs?

[Truffs1178]

I am aiming to test my temps and try to stabilize them along with the humidity before I think about adding any frogs to the tank anyway - Just to be on the safe side

That's the responsible thing to do. What ever frog you do get it will be well looked after. Some people just dive in straight away and just buy the frog when they get the terrarium.

[dbizal]

And so it begins. I'm not sure if I have enough Egg crate or Silicone... haha... Erm I also kind of like the Exo-Terra background I get, although I might just cover it in the Tree Fern and leave a bit sculptured out for the drip wall. First things first though and I need to put together the false bottom. My cable ties didn't arrive today which sucks a little, but I can at least cut out the different parts of the egg crate and decide where I want the dripp wall/waterfall and small pond. I also need to get some weed blocker, however I will more than likely go Homebase or somewhere like that on Sunday.

[Necromencer]

I've done a similar project:


I bought a second-hand 12x12x12 for £10 and expanded it.

http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...k-welcome.html

I'll have to admit than I've used up more than 6 canisters of silicone, but I made my own 3d background instead of buying a pre-made one. It seems that 4 will be enough, so don't worry about it.

Also, since you live in England, what hygrometer are you using? I've bought 3 different ones and they've all be extremely inaccurate (like after having the mister on for an hour, it only reads 30% humidity).

[dbizal]

Oh wow... I wish mine was a tenner haha.

I got the background with the Terrarium, however I will probably mod it a little and stick some Tree fern over the top so I keep the look but get rid of the awful colour haha. Need to figure out how I am going to do it though as I don't really want to stick my water pump under the false bottom in case anything goes wrong and I need to replace the pump... hmm.

I'm not using anything yet, however I was thinking about getting the Exo Terra Combo as it seems like it would be better? I've no idea though haha.

[dbizal]

I decided to do some progress videos and upload them to Youtube, you can find them Here Caution, there is a little bit of swearing in the first video haha, I will try my best to keep them more tame in future.

As I am looking at keeping Dart frogs, do I need to have a small fan in the Terrarium? Also is there anything else I need to know before I make the backdrop? oh also what substrate should I look at getting? I was probably going to go with that Eco-earth and get some leaves to lay on top of the substrate...

I created my False Bottom today, just need to get some weed blocker and for the 'Great Stuff' to come in the post and I can get cracking on with the build.

[dbizal]

Been a while but I started to work on my build again.

Here is a video documenting what I have done so far. Just waiting on the Great Stuff foam to dry up so I can progress further!

Terrarium Progress Part 3 - Great Stuff - YouTube

[dbizal]

So I go round to siliconing the Great Stuff and applying my Tree Fern. I left it 2 days and it has covered quite well, although I do have a few patches to cover up.

The Next step is to cover up those gaps in the Fern and put in my 2 layers of substrate (Black Gravel to cover the false bottom and Eco-Earth as my main substrate) - Then I can start making a list of the plants and moss I need to get and start purchasing/planting. Cannot wait!

[Flying Dutchman]

Looks great! I just watched your youtube videos, looking out for more!

[dbizal]

Thank you Johan

Update: New video:Vivarium Progress Part 5 - Waterfall - YouTube

[deranged chipmunk]

Looks great so far! Looking forward to seeing it planted. :-)

[Flying Dutchman]

And again a nice video! Like the way you build that waterfall.

[dbizal]

And here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5hw...ature=youtu.be

[dbizal]

I haven't posted in a while so thought I would update you all.
My Vivarium is growing fine, considering it is at room temp and the humidity seems unstable. I have bought a Rainforest Heat mat of which I will mount on the side of the Viv ( Not pleasing to the eye I know ) to secure a tropical temperature - Hopefully this will keep the humidity up as well as me removing the supplied lid and replacing it with a bit of glass (Dart frogs need around 70-90% humidity). If this doesn't work I will have to invest in a mister, or buy a Humidifier and do a bit of DIY work to put humidity into the Viv (The latter is probably the cheaper option).

The plants are growing well, well all except the fern but I think this is due to the humidity. My brom has now split into 3 nicely sized plants and the nova star at the top has grown to double the size it was when I got it. The flame moss is growing at a great speed and I love the look off it, in fact I am thinking about trimming it and spreading the trimmings around the viv so I can carpet it with this fantastic moss.

Still no frogs, but I am glad I haven't got them yet. I want the Viv to be as stable as possible before adding them.

[Flying Dutchman]

Great job!

[dbizal]

Thank you! ^_^

Think I will leave it another month before I get the frogs. For a Viv this size how many do you think I can get? I was thinking about 2/3 but I do hope to breed them also in the future.