Newbie, Vivarium Build? Help Appreciated!

[DonLisk]

Here is a link to a thread on a build and the picture show where the individual used cork bark flats and siliconed them together to create a land area and had the water from the filter system flow over the land mass and back into the large water area.
My though would be to have it lower so it would be easier for your frogs to gain access to the land.

http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...n-terrain.html

[DonLisk]

And another link to some of what gave me inspiration when starting new builds. These are by Brian (UncleChester) and some pretty cool vivariums here.

UncleChester's Album: Vivariums

[cruentusanima]

Thanks Don for the response. I am going to use live plants and really don't know what plants I should use but the direction I want to go is good looking plants, low maintenance, and compatible with FBT's. The build that I'm thinking of is to somehow create a background that covers the back and right and left sides only leaving the front exposed for our viewing pleasure. I want to start with the false bottom but I also want the land mass and water to be connected since I'm going to be running a fairly decent external filter. I'm planning on using screen printing mesh for the section that connects the land and water mass to stop any large debris from clogging the filter as shown in the illustration provided. In theory this seems like it would work but I'm no expert any additions or revisions will be appreciated.

[DonLisk]

That will work well and using the egg crate to form the wall will help hold the screen material.

Just keep in mind that the water level will have to be below the height of the egg crate so the soil on the egg crate is not soaking in water.

[cruentusanima]

Don! I just looked through your albums and you sir built exactly what I had in mind. I love the back and sides you did for the 12x12x12 ZooMed Mini Build and also the look of the 20 Vertical Build. If I combine these two ideas that you created I will have exactly what I wanted with the addition of a waterfall. I guess the next question if you don't mind is what is needed material wise and skill wise to perform something similar to your vivariums? Thanks in advance.

[cruentusanima]

Alright after a month or so of planning I finally got the build started. So far right now I have the false bottom done but without the mesh laid out and also started working with the Great Stuff foam and created some rocks and also a rock border for my pond to separate the substrate from the water. Here is what I'm thinking so far I'm going to have the pond in the middle with a waterfall and also I'm going to have false bottom sides with Great Stuff molded that way it will be easier to clean if I ever have to. Below is also a drawing of what I'm thinking as far as the complete build, any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Supplies Bought
• Zoo Med 18x18x18 Terrarium
• 2 Sheets of Egg Crate
• Zip Ties
• 2 Cans of Great Stuff
• Acrylic Paint
• Eco Earth
• Zoo Med 501 Canister Filter
• Bark
• 3 – 9.8OZ GE Silicone 2 Window and Door Black
• Weed Block Mesh
• Extra Tubing
• Gravel
• ABG Mix
• Jiffy Pots

Tools Needed So Far
• Cutting Pliers
• Gardening Pruner
• Caulking Gun
• Nitrile Disposable Gloves

Steps to create this not finished project
1. Use silicone to cover the back, left, and right side of glass. (currently curing will update pictures ASAP)
2. Create design with egg crate (shown below)
3. Create foam border and sculpt as necessary (shown below)
4. Create back, left and right egg crate sides (in process will upload when I have molded foam on each side)
5. Work with foam on each side and add Jiffy Pots (will get to do this hopefully by end of week if not the weekend)
6. Route tubing for waterfall (in the works)
7. Blah
8. Blah
9. Blah
10. This project has taken more time out of me than anything I have ever worked on including my car.
11. I need to complete this ASAP since I just bought an Eastern Collard Lizard for my daughter and it needs a new home as well.
12. I have a feeling this will turn out pretty cool.

[J Teezy]

if money is not an issue and you want to make your life even easier, check this out

EcoZone Vivarium - Vivarium Controllers provide Naturalistic Habitats for Reptiles and Herps. Programmable proportional Temperature, Lighting, and Mister Control (if i had the money this is the one i'd get)

there's cheaper ones that do some of the same but the EcoZone is above and beyond these following

Spyder Robotics
Digital Aquatics Online Store
Vivarium Electronics VE-300 - Reptile Basics Inc