First Vivarium build for RETF , Wall-E, Eva and maybe one day Felix Felicis!

[tinkgirl77]

Alright guys... Here are the early pics of my first viv build. Still have a few things I'm working on ... will keep yall updated. I was really striving to keep it natural looking but low maintenance. So with tons of advice from the wonderful peeps on here...(to start with: DerangedChipmunk, Heatheranne, & Flybyferns - thanks guys) here's our little hidden oasis in New Orleans..

I started with the 18x18x24 Exo Terra. I don't have a good nursery here that carries terrarium plants, so I went to Lowe's. I brought these guys home, washed them VERY THOROUGHLY in hot hot water. Then doused them all in dechlorinated water several times. Once I was pretty sure I just about washed the green off of them, they were ready for planting.




For the Viv build, I created a false bottom using eggcrate and 2 1/2" PVC pipe from Lowes (also went through same cleaning process). I also cut 2 vents (little triangle holes) on either side of the bottom of each of the support PVCs to allow water to pass through. I covered the Eggcrate in window screen mesh and zipties. I then put a very think later of Hydroball LECA. I know its redundant to do both but I already had the LECA around. I lined the edges with Large pebbles and "glued" them in place using the GE Silicon II(with no mildew proof stuff in it) To help hide the eggcrate edge and keep the LECA in place.


I also left a big gap in the front to create a "wading area" (and area to siphon water out when needed)for my RETFs. In the back left corner I installed a Reptofilter to filter the water and create a little waterway through the enclosure (pics further down).

Next up (from LECA up) I layered my substrate : Tree fern fiber mixed with peat moss, then plantation soil mixed with Eco Earth and lastly some live oak leaf litter (from Josh's frogs). I then planted the plants into their new home, added Manzanita branch (from Josh's as well) and wrapped it with a fexible vine to give it more texture. I also then have a monkey ladder or 2 that will go in soon for more climbing areas.



From the reptofilter, I have a cork tube (sealed with the GE silicone - i'm not wild about the whitish look but I already plan on redoing it soon) that creates a beautiful sounding brook through it which ends in the wading area. The wading area is filled with rock much too big for the frogs to eat.


The front left corner will be the area my glass bowl feeding station will be on top of the rock.

I have a few more things I'm going to add, one I'm completely excited about - pics to come.

I still have the soon to be residents in their quarantine tanks to allow plant grow in and to make sure all my FF friends think it looks safe.

For lighting and humidity: I have a zoomed dual lamp that will hang over and have a ceramic heat bulb and blue daylight bulb. I also have a submersed aquarium heater under the false bottom that keeps the water temp in the 70's and helps keeps humidity and overall tank temp in low 70's alone. (No other bulbs or heat devices on at the moment). I am looking into using an exoterra rainforest substrate heater or tradition UTH on side or underneath. I also have a Zoomed hygrotherm to control heat devices and to keep humidity up when zoomed reptifogger is installed.

I am also going to my local Repticon this weekend and hope to score some springtails and isopods to seed the tank. If I don't get them there, I will order them from Josh's or smallpetfeeders.com or lllreptile.com.

I've learned alot and plan on learning more from this experience. I really think it came our pretty awesome for my first attempt. My biggest goal is to keep my trio happy and above all SAFE. So take a look everyone and let me know what yall think. And thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

PS. Everything that was put in the tank was either boiled or baked according to recommendations from FF. Except the plants which I described their sanitizing above.

Thanks again,
Lisa

[deeishealthy]

That's a lucky amphibian that will be calling that viv home!

[DartEd]

It looks beautiful, Lisa. I love your choice of broad leaf plants. Nice job

[helm96]

Your enclosure looks great! Great choice of plants! Your RETF will love the Alocasia. The wide leafs make it a great little bed for them. My RETF love the get on the same leaf one on top and one on bottom, I find them on that or the Anthurium. Love the Fittonias as well, the pink adds a nice dash of color.

[tinkgirl77]

Thanks so much for all the positive responses! Y'all all hit the nail on the head, I picked the bigger leafed plants bc that's where my guys would like most. A few more additions and then I will add the frogs!