Just started my build, 1st timer :)

[mariebaby21]

I got a 12x24x16 glass tank. I'm super excited about this as it's my first time ever doing this. I will post pics as I go. The first two are just of the tank itself and then the application of the silicone. You can see I have the Great Stuff next to the tank, and will be using that when the silicone cures.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

What frogs do you plan on keeping.
And welcome to the forum.

[mariebaby21]

I'm going to keep D. leucomelas. I love how the yellow stands out and I read they are pretty easy keepers. Thank you for the welcome

[fluffypanda]

Very exciting! keep us posted

[Heatheranne]

Welcome to the forum . Can't wait to see your creation!

[mariebaby21]

since i have already put the silicone on the back of the tank without attaching any of my mopani wood, will i be able to attach the wood into the great stuff at the time i apply it? or do i need to press in the wood to make an indentation and then when the foam cures, silicone the wood to the foam?

[J Teezy]

since i have already put the silicone on the back of the tank without attaching any of my mopani wood, will i be able to attach the wood into the great stuff at the time i apply it? or do i need to press in the wood to make an indentation and then when the foam cures, silicone the wood to the foam?

Great stuff should hold the wood

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[flybyferns]

Great stuff should hold the wood

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Josh ! It's great to have you back !

[mariebaby21]

Ok, so here it is with the Great Stuff applied. I used the 2" pots to create the places where I will be putting plants on the background. How long do I have to let this sit before it's dry enough to carve out?





I'm really hoping the foam holds the manzanita wood in place, since I didnt silicone it in first.

[deranged chipmunk]

so far, so good i let mine sit 48 hours, sometimes longer. the foam will hold that piece of wood. no worries.

[mariebaby21]

So I started to titebond the background today. First I tried a mix of titebond and coco-fiber... it was thick and pastey and a little hard to work with. So then I decided to just paint the titebond onto the foam and then pack on the coco-fiber. That was so much easier! I took a couple of pictures but they are hard to make out because the tank is not standing up right now and there is coco-fiber dust all over the glass. I'm not going to clean it until I'm completely done making a mess LOL
I can already see some bare spots I'm going to have to touch up in a couple of days. I'm pretty happy with it so far
I'll post pictures of this step after I have done the touch ups and have cleaned the glass

[mariebaby21]

is it normal to have mold/fungus already growing in my viv? will the springtails take care of it? do i need to worry?

[deranged chipmunk]

White fungus on wood is normal. It will go away in a few weeks. It may come back from time to time. But it will not hurt your plants, or frogs, but i know you don't have them yet

[mariebaby21]

What will the springtails eat in my viv since there are no frogs?

[tylototriton]

You can feed springtails yeast, uncooked rice, fish flakes, mushrooms. Lots of different things!

~Alex

[J Teezy]

they will eat leaf litter too

[Heatheranne]

Hey Bill! If they don't colonize quickly for you and the weather calms a bit, I'll send you some. I have tons! They are the temperate version.

[deranged chipmunk]

Hey Bill! If they don't colonize quickly for you and the weather calms a bit, I'll send you some. I have tons! They are the temperate version.

Thanks Heather. I will let you know. Temperate are actually preferable since my tank is more of a sub tropical tank.

[mariebaby21]

I changed my mind on the leucs and go D. Auratus "el cope"
Pics to follow. I'm so in love

[mariebaby21]