Just started my build, 1st timer :)

[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

[deranged chipmunk]

i've done it both ways. but i do prefer mixing it. like you said, it's a little unruly to work with, but you just have to play it by ear. but one thing is for sure, it beats the Krap out of silicone

[mariebaby21]

I just bought a bunch of plants, lighting, substrate etc from Josh's Frogs! Should all be in by wednesday I hope. I can't wait to get this going to I can post pictures of my progress!

[deranged chipmunk]

Nice choice. Josh's has great stuff. Did you get the kit? Or did you choose individual stuffs?

[mariebaby21]

I got the plant kit. If I don't get what I want.. there is a fern I want and I added moss to my order... I'll just buy more
It will be about a 3 weeks to a month before I add frogs just to make sure everything is going well. So I'll have plenty of time if I need more plants
I also got springtails. I got the ABG mix and the substrate divider... but I have a hydroponics store right by my house for they hydroton (sp?) and they sell it pretty cheap. I think I could have bought a new puppy with all I have spent on this LOL

[J Teezy]

may want to look into using growstones instead of Hydroton.

check this out Growstone Demonstration at Max Yield Show in Denver, CO - March 2012 - YouTube

[deranged chipmunk]

Those plant kits are nice if you aren't sure what plants you want. They are really helpful for beginners. I think it's great idea they came up with on that one