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Thread: building a 40 gall vivarium

  1. #1
    Isaac
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    Lightbulb building a 40 gall vivarium

    hi all!
    i would like to share my vivarium build with you guys.
    i have a 40 gall vivarium wich is 60x60x40cm (lxhxd)
    i would like to build a vivarium with tileglue (glue for glueing tiles and making the tile joints)
    it becomes a solid material wich is hard as a rock after a layer of 4-5 and it makes everything water resistant.
    it is in first thought a vivarium for dartfrogs, wich ones i dont know yet...
    after the viv is done with the glue i will cover it with waterproof woodglue and put a mixture on it of eco earth, peat and fernroot to make a brown and fertile background.
    so far so good, this is my basic plan.

    in the attatchments you can find pictures!
    the 1st picture is to give a complete view of the viv
    the 2nd picture is a growing-rack for plants
    the 3rd picture is a waterfall
    the 4th picture is the filter compartiment with a heater and a pump
    the 5th picture is another complete view

    enjoy and comment!
    Attached Images Attached Images      

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  3. #2
    Super Moderator flybyferns's Avatar
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    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    Isaac,
    I see you have your build thread going already !
    Very nice .....I can't wait to see more. Thank you for sharing.
    Current Collection
    Dendrobates leucomelas - standard morph
    Dendrobates auratus “Costa Rican Green Black"
    Dendrobates auratus "Pena Blanca"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “New River”
    Dendrobates tinctorius "Green Sipaliwini"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “Powder Blue"
    Dendrobates tinctorius "French Guiana Dwarf Cobalt"

    Phyllobates terribilis “Mint”
    Phyllobates terribilis "Orange"
    Phyllobates bicolor "Uraba"

    Oophaga pumilio "Black Jeans"
    Oophaga pumilio "Isla Popa"
    Oophaga pumilio "Bastimentos"
    Oophaga pumilio “Mimbitimbi”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Colubre"
    Oophaga pumilio "Red Frog Beach”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Branco"
    Oophaga pumilio “Valle del Rey”
    Oophaga pumilio "BriBri"
    Oophaga pumilio "El Dorado"
    Oophaga pumilio "Cristobal"
    Oophaga pumilio "Rambala"

    Oophaga “Vicentei” (blue)

    Oophaga sylvatica "Paru"
    Oophaga sylvatica "Pata Blanca"
    Oophaga histrionica “Redhead”
    Oophaga histrionica "Blue"
    Oophaga lehmanni "Red"
    Oophaga histrionica "Tado"

    Ranitomeya variabilis "Southern"
    Ranitomeya imitator "Varadero"
    Ranitomeya sirensis "Lower Ucayali"
    Ranitomeya vanzolinii

    http://www.fernsfrogs.com
    https://www.facebook.com/ferns.frogs

  4. #3
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    hi, new update!
    i now glued in my foam construction with the tile glue.
    look in attatchments for pictures!

    yet no worries about colour or anything becouse this is a layer wich makes everything solid and strong as a rock and waterproof.
    there will come at least 2 other layers of this product on top of this layer to gain a strong and solid background for further construction.
    Attached Images Attached Images     

  5. #4
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    tile glue round 2!
    Attached Images Attached Images   

  6. #5
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    after the 3rd round of tile glue i started glueing on my build to add the fernroot-eco earth mixture and now it looks like this:
    NOTE i did not use woodglue but i used "compactuna" wich is a product they use in and on concrete to make a waterproof unit
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  7. #6

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    looks very cool issac! looking forward to seeing it planted up
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

  8. #7
    Staffaz
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    ​Looks very good Isaac, can't wait to see it finished.

  9. #8
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    did some building with sticks and some cork and vines to give inspiration for the planting
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  10. #9
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    neeewwww updateee!!!!
    i planted the vivarium with the plants i got and now looks like this:
    i am not able to use water in the water compartiment due to slower drying on the water compartiment side...
    also have new lighting fixture it are halogene lamps from ikea wich i recycled from our renovation in our house.
    Attached Images Attached Images     

  11. #10
    maxQ
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    Hey Isaac, I really have been enjoying watching your build, I also have a 40 Viv that I havent started yet because Im still looking for ideas and wathing, great job, you really looks great.

  12. #11

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    looks great planted. nice work
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

  13. #12
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    ok, thanks, i am actually waiting for my dad (wich is a florist by profession) to get some more other plants and bromeliads and stuff
    actually the only thing i need to buy is moss..

  14. #13
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    planting done! now finding some moss
    now it looks really stuffed like this (higher res pic's):
    Attached Images Attached Images       

  15. #14
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    is considering of dumping the water feature and use the waterreservoirs in the waterfall as a plantrack...
    what do you guy's think of that idea? (i am planning of keeping dendrobates tinctorius)
    PS i found some dry leaf litter in my garden (mostly oak and hazel), i am now freezing it and would like to use it in the vivarium, is this a good idea?

  16. #15
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    what i did today:
    1: arranging and flush out the waterfall for remaining dust and polystyrene
    2: adding a drainage layer and drainage pump to the floor level where the plants are and put in the leaf litter i collected and freezed to sterilize
    3: making my ventilation system kinda "flyproof" (i hope so) by adding a layer of pond filter mat (cut at approximately 0,5/1cm thickness)
    4: adding some small and silent ventilators to my ventilation system (otherwise there wouldn't be enough circulation with the filter material only)
    5: adding some night lights to the viv (find pictures in attachments )
    6: testing water temp (constant 24°C), daytime: floor temp: min:22,5°C max 24°C and ambient temp: min:26°C max 27,5°C night: ambient tested only: constant 23°C humidity did not dropped lower than 90%RHV during tests

    so this is my setup for (i hope) dendrobates tinctorius

    comments/thoughts/things i forgot?
    just reply!

    ps. i am working on a system for the door that is less annoying for the eye
    Attached Images Attached Images      

  17. #16
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    UPDATE!
    (well that took a long time)
    since i am still experimenting on a lime deposit free humidifying system it is not ready yet to recieve its first habitants.
    i tried raining systems, well raining systems are good for plants.. but not good for the clean glass...
    so i am now trying with a humidifying system based on a fogger, this with demineralized water for less lime deposit on windows or on the fogger.

    since this is the only thing that needs to be tested and evaluated i was curious what species would be nice for this tank.
    i was thinking about dart frogs.
    since there are a lot of dart frog species i dont exactly know wich species to take since it is also a tank with much climbing possibilities .

    changes:
    doors are now sliding doors
    lighting fixture changed to hallogen lights
    glass lid complete cover (almost no ventilation (testing))
    more plants like bromeliads
    no waterfall/pond (= problem?) since troubles with pump
    now humidifying with fogger system

    notes:
    some plants where thriving, others died fast
    no moss added yet (is this necessary?)
    springtails, fruit flies and other lower species are present without adding them

    any thoughts?
    Attached Images Attached Images               

  18. #17
    Moderator Mentat's Avatar
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    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    Hello Isaac! I really like how the tank looks now compared to initial planting and doors. Demineralized or distilled water is fine for foggers or spraying but would not use it on frog bath or water features.

    Think Darts or Mantellas would do good on your vivarium. To help you decide which species, recommend visit the Dart & Mantella sub-forum. Also, if you go to Josh Frogs website, he has a few How-To pages to help you select among different Darts/Mantellas based on experience level and display. Good luck !
    Remember to take care of the enclosure and it will take care of your frog !​

  19. #18
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    i think i have a heating/lumen/watt problem with my current light fixture..
    hallogen lights have to much watt's and heat for to few lumen.
    so i would like to change the light fixture but i do not want to change the design since it looks good right now...
    and if i do want to change it, it should be nice and finish and easy to access and mainaining humidity/ventilation/temps...

    what would you recommend?

  20. #19

    Default building a 40 gall vivarium

    If you are trying to keep the heat down, go with an led set up. There are some out now with the proper spectrums for plants. I have one over my 18x18x24 and my plants love it.
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

  21. #20
    Isaac
    Guest

    Default Re: building a 40 gall vivarium

    does anyone knows the right or best colour temperature? i thought it was between 5000k - 6700k

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