White's 18x18x24 Build Pics

[Shade38]

First timer doing a build, I made a few mistakes but overall I'm OK with it.

Here's the bare tank with some branches, planter ledge and the tallest plant (sanseviera.) Trying to visualize the design.



Then I forgot to photograph the process of making the background. I know. Duh. Sorry. Bottom section is a styrofoam rock wall that came with my smaller tank. Siliconed that to the back, then attached the rock ledge (on left) flush with it, then foamed it all together with black foam. (I forget the brand but it's meant to be used for landscaping and ponds.)



The planting hole on the right is one that I carved out of the black expanding foam. It doesn't feel sturdy but I'm not sure how to fix it. To attach the coconut stuff, I used White GE1 silicone. Was afraid I wouldn't be able to see clear silicone very well and they didn't have black. The white shows through a little bit.



Here's the little waterfall/pool that I made. It's actually a thick glass vase that someone gave me. There is a small pump submerged underneath Hydro-balls and decorative stones. The rear rock is siliconed to the tube with DAP clear silicone and leans against the back of the glass. The front rock is propped against the water fountain.



The water shimmies over the front rock, which is a pretty silvery color (slate? not sure.) The rocks on either side of the vase are to "build up" the soil in the corner.


I put the plants, still in their pots, to get an idea of what it would look like. I later eliminated the Alocasia because it looked too crowded.




Clockwise, from top left: Satin Pothos, Wandering Jew, Sansevieria (hidden a bit,) Pink Anthurium, Variegated Peperomia, Japanese Painted Fern (straggly right now,) and Lemon Button Fern.
Scattered throughout the bottom are: Selaginella, Lemon Button Fern pups and Live Moss.



The two branches are Pittosporum from my yard that I soaked in mild bleach water and then soaked again to rinse. The bottom left wood is Malaysian Driftwood.

Here's the finished waterfall/pool:


Substrate is: hydroballs, mesh, organic soil with eco-earth mixed in, and a top layer of eco-earth.

Here's the little one that will eventually occupy it:



And here is his current home:


Special thanks to BSHMERLIE for her Youtube video. Before that I could not make heads or tails of what everyone was doing on here.

[Pluke]

Wow, that looks good. Hopefully my first build turns out that good. I'm sure your frog will be very happy with his new home.

[Faith]

That looks absolutely amazing, great job! He's a lucky guy

[Namio]

Very beautifully done! I do have one question though, how do White's TF owners manage to keep the water in the tank clean? Especially a tank with a waterfall feature.

[dadmccabe]

looks great! well done

[Shade38]

Very beautifully done! I do have one question though, how do White's TF owners manage to keep the water in the tank clean? Especially a tank with a waterfall feature.

The water is contained in the glass vase. It doesn't run through the whole tank.

From what I understand, a water pump + hydro-balls = a filter

But I"m not certain. Can anyone confirm?

[dadmccabe]

I have a simple water dish for soaking which I refresh each morning (and use the old water for the viv's plants) I'm not sure re: waterfalls, but I might suggest purchasing one w/ a suitable carbon filter built in.. and maybe adding a separate 'non-moving' water source too. I always thought waterfalls were more aesthetic than functional.. great question!

[frogdad]

Looks great! I really like the Alocasia even though you took it out. I think I may end up adding one for my frogs. I love the leaf shape and color.