Exo-Terra 18"x18"x18" Pacman Viv.

[GrifTheGreat]

I'm going to start a Viv build as a upgrade for Grif. I desided to use the Exo-Terra 18"x18"x18" due to it having ample ground space and since these Terrariums are very efficient at holding in heat and humidity. Plus the double doors make for easy cleaning and feeding. I also chose this particular size because its not too tall, but should be a good size for live plants to grow.

I'm going to make a drainage layer composed of Hydroballs and possibly install a pump in the drainage layer of hydroballs to pump out excess water.

Any ideas and or suggestions will be appreciated due to this being my first Viv build rather than just a basic terrarium setup.

[flybyferns]

I'm going to start a Viv build as a upgrade for Grif. I desided to use the Exo-Terra 18"x18"x18" due to it having ample ground space and since these Terrariums are very efficient at holding in heat and humidity. Plus the double doors make for easy cleaning and feeding. I also chose this particular size because its not too tall, but should be a good size for live plants to grow.

I'm going to make a drainage layer composed of Hydroballs and possibly install a pump in the drainage layer of hydroballs to pump out excess water.

Any ideas and or suggestions will be appreciated due to this being my first Viv build rather than just a basic terrarium setup.

Grif,
I'm excited for you!
BUT! Go bigger if you can. 24"w or even 36" ? You will not be sorry! Except-they are so expensive !!!!

There are soooo many great plants you can put in with His Majesty
Lynn

[GrifTheGreat]

Grif,
I'm excited for you!
BUT! Go bigger if you can. 24"w or even 36" ? You will not be sorry! Except-they are so expensive !!!!

There are soooo many great plants you can put in with His Majesty
Lynn

Psst its HER majesty Lol!

I don't really want to go any larger due to their tendency to become stressed in large areas plus it would be a pain to heat large tanks and yes they are expensive.

I baught a Exo-Terra Rainforest kit at first, but it was 18"x!8"x24". I didn't need that much height so I took it back. They don't make a rainforest kit with an 18"x18"x18" so I just desided to buy the desert kit and use what I can from it which is some fake rock structures and I can place the sand in my drainage layer. I'm probably going to heat it with a ceramic heat emitter and use the light canopy with Exo-Terra Repti-Glo 2.0 fullspectrum bulbs for the plants.

I'm going to use some Broms/pathos/and possibly some grasses. If I can grow some moss on rocks I will place it in as well. There should be ample plant covering to act as shade from the bright fluorescent bulbs that could harm her eyes. I'm going to be sure that their is plenty of shade for her.

Ideas are always welcome though.

[J Teezy]

Grif if you ever are going to buy an exo terra tank don't buy it from the pet stores around cincinnati like Petsmart or w/e. They are way expensive there. Jay Deal who owns Jungle Island Exotics (its out towards Columbus) has great prices on exo terras. He is at the cincy reptile show every month. He had a 24x18x24 for 150 and i asked him how much for a 24x18x18 and he quoted me at 120. I don't think you will find a better price than that anywhere around. He brings a bunch of different sizes to the show every month and if you let him know ahead of time i'm sure he will make sure to bring the size you want to the show. He has a facebook page as well. From the little bit i've talked to him he's a pretty nice guy and easy to talk to.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/240237416016879/

[GrifTheGreat]

Grif if you ever are going to buy an exo terra tank don't buy it from the pet stores around cincinnati like Petsmart or w/e. They are way expensive there. Jay Deal who owns Jungle Island Exotics (its out towards Columbus) has great prices on exo terras. He is at the cincy reptile show every month. He had a 24x18x24 for 150 and i asked him how much for a 24x18x18 and he quoted me at 120. I don't think you will find a better price than that anywhere around. He brings a bunch of different sizes to the show every month and if you let him know ahead of time i'm sure he will make sure to bring the size you want to the show. He has a facebook page as well. From the little bit i've talked to him he's a pretty nice guy and easy to talk to.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/240237416016879/

I haven't forgotten. Its just that I don't know when ill have time time to go to the reptile show and was too anctious to get started. I work almost every weekend and its hard for me to find time to go. What's done is done and I'm ready to get this Viv together.

Ill keep him in mind when I do my next Viv.

[J Teezy]

I haven't forgotten. Its just that I don't know when ill have time time to go to the reptile show and was too anctious to get started. I work almost every weekend and its hard for me to find time to go. What's done is done and I'm ready to get this Viv together.

Ill keep him in mind when I do my next Viv.

I hear that! I'm ready to start my next one as well. Take what i learned from this build and add more to the next. Custom water feature is a definite! If you need any help or want to bounce ideas off me for your build don't hesitate to ask. I may not know much about pacman frogs but I have a pretty creative mind when it comes to DIY stuff. I can help you design that removable floor we were talking about as well if you want, i live in fairfield, so if you are close you could stop by sometime to work on some DIY stuff if you want. Like i mentioned in PM i have a solid design in my head for that floor you want to make. Simple and should work well

[GrifTheGreat]

I hear that! I'm ready to start my next one as well. Take what i learned from this build and add more to the next. Custom water feature is a definite! If you need any help or want to bounce ideas off me for your build don't hesitate to ask. I may not know much about pacman frogs but I have a pretty creative mind when it comes to DIY stuff. I can help you design that removable floor we were talking about as well if you want, i live in fairfield, so if you are close you could stop by sometime to work on some DIY stuff if you want. Like i mentioned in PM i have a solid design in my head for that floor you want to make. Simple and should work well

Sounds good. I might cut the eggcrate so its ready to be assembled. Then see what you're up to. Hopefully I have some time soon. I don't get time to do a lot.

[flybyferns]

Psst its HER majesty Lol!

I don't really want to go any larger due to their tendency to become stressed in large areas plus it would be a pain to heat large tanks and yes they are expensive.

I baught a Exo-Terra Rainforest kit at first, but it was 18"x!8"x24". I didn't need that much height so I took it back. They don't make a rainforest kit with an 18"x18"x18" so I just desided to buy the desert kit and use what I can from it which is some fake rock structures and I can place the sand in my drainage layer. I'm probably going to heat it with a ceramic heat emitter and use the light canopy with Exo-Terra Repti-Glo 2.0 fullspectrum bulbs for the plants.

I'm going to use some Broms/pathos/and possibly some grasses. If I can grow some moss on rocks I will place it in as well. There should be ample plant covering to act as shade from the bright fluorescent bulbs that could harm her eyes. I'm going to be sure that their is plenty of shade for her.

Ideas are always welcome though.

Grif,
Whoops , I forgot. "Queen Grif"
I'm sure it will be beautiful. Keep a build log ?
I use ceramic to heat. They work great as long one is careful.
I have them hanging from a pole ( at the height I want) , then I can slide them back and forth to adjust the temp.
Especially now that it's getting warmer !!

Plant lights- I got as many hanging ( high) pothos as possible for my red eyes.
I worry about the lights. Half the time I can not even find them!
But as you mention ; as long as there are dark spots - they are okay.
Have fun, Lynn

[GrifTheGreat]

Grif,
Whoops , I forgot. "Queen Grif"
I'm sure it will be beautiful. Keep a build log ?
I use ceramic to heat. They work great as long one is careful.
I have them hanging from a pole ( at the height I want) , then I can slide them back and forth to adjust the temp.
Especially now that it's getting warmer !!

Plant lights- I got as many hanging ( high) pothos as possible for my red eyes.
I worry about the lights. Half the time I can not even find them!
But as you mention ; as long as there are dark spots - they are okay.
Have fun, Lynn

Thanks Lynn. Will do.

[NatureLady]

Looks like we both have our own 1st builds going on! Yay, I am so excited.

I second the build log! That way we can see the progress you make

[GrifTheGreat]

Looks like we both have our own 1st builds going on! Yay, I am so excited.

I second the build log! That way we can see the progress you make

Ill start a log when I have everything I want for it and begin.

[Heatheranne]

Ooh!!!! Can't wait!