vivarium construction supplies

[flybyferns]

Could you please repeat that? Sorry, I could not resist that !

Bill - this is a tremendous amount of information! Super !
Lynn

[deranged chipmunk]

thanks Lynn. now you have a quickie link to use for this stuff....LOL

[coastal20]

Great post Bill, I am using the ecoweb for my orchids and the roots have just started to penetrate the back side. With ecoweb you really need a misting system and high humidity to keep the water droplets on the mesh. They are doing great and both of them have new leafs growing. Hygrolon I just purchased yesterday and will have it in my hands by Friday, I will post my initial thoughts and post a more in depth review after a month or so, I have two new orchids arriving soon that I plan on using the hygrolon with.

[deranged chipmunk]

Chase, thank you and please keep us up to date on the use of both, especially the hygrolon. i have some ideas for that stuff, depending on how it works out.

[UncleChester]

Great idea Bill. You've been pretty thorough but I'll add a few things

"Hydroton" is a brand name and if the store doesn't know what you're talking about try asking for LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate), or 'little clay balls', or 'balls of clay'. If you still get funny looks, leave the store and try someplace else.

A couple other Backgrounds:

Cement: Quikrete "Quick Set Cement" mixed with Acrylic Fortifier and tinted with concrete pigments over carved styrofoam makes an indestructible background. Non-toxic acrylic craft paint also works to tint the cement as you're mixing it, but isn't supposed to be as colour fast (3 years and running with no problems in one of my vivariums though). This needs time to cure, especially if it's involved in a water feature as cement will raise the pH. Materials at any hardware store come in relatively large quantities making this very economical in the long run. Tile grout is another related option that I've never tried.

Bare Glass with Exterior Paint: 'Reverse paint' on the outside of the vivarium using Craft Paint made for painting glass. Makes for an extremely easy to clean interior.


Excellent article about suitable choices for wood and how to prepare it for the vivarium Caudata Culture Articles - Wood in Vivaria
.
Shelf Mushrooms: Great to silicone to the glass for ledges. Best to collect ones that turn hard and woody. Can be boiled and baked like the wood above.

Safe and Cheap Silicone for the Canucks: Home Hardware - 3 Pack 300mL Multi-purpose Clear Silicone II Sealant

Plastic Zip Ties: Smaller versions of the kinds the riot police use for impromptu handcuffs. Any hardware store has them. Mentioned by Bill with regards to building a false bottom but since they are immediately frog safe (unlike glue/silicone) they're also great for instant impromptu repairs inside an already running vivarium, or adding branches, tying back plants, or handcuffing a misbehaving frog.

[deranged chipmunk]

Thanks brian. I knew i missed stuff, that's why this is THE BEST frog forum around don't go too far, i'm going to do lighting tonight

[BadKat]

I was lucky enough to find a 50# bag of leca at a local hydroponics store. Unfortunately, it may become very hard to find soon. Apparently the clay is gathered through a process similar to strip mining and many people are refusing to buy or use it (understandably).

The gentleman working at the store had a recycled glass alternative, but he wasn't sure if it would be animal safe. I may have to go back in and ask if he's asked the manufacturer about that yet.

[Eric and Stitch]

A couple other Backgrounds:

Cement: Quikrete "Quick Set Cement" mixed with Acrylic Fortifier and tinted with concrete pigments over carved styrofoam makes an indestructible background. Non-toxic acrylic craft paint also works to tint the cement as you're mixing it, but isn't supposed to be as colour fast (3 years and running with no problems in one of my vivariums though). This needs time to cure, especially if it's involved in a water feature as cement will raise the pH. Materials at any hardware store come in relatively large quantities making this very economical in the long run. Tile grout is another related option that I've never tried.

I couldn't find an exact "Acrylic Fortifier" on the label of anything at Menards, but this is described as an Acrylic bonding agent, just wanted to make sure its safe before I open and use it.
Concrete Bonding Additive - 1 Quart at Menards