24x18x12 Dart Frog vivarium build

[Bruce]

I generally like to keep things a secret until its completely done, but I have a moment of freedom finally, so I will post this now!I finally broke down and started to build my Dart frog vivarium! I plan on getting thumbnails, so I went with a tank with more terrestrial space rather than arboreal space.Exo terra 24x18x12 seemed to be the perfect fit


I am getting ready to drill a drainage hole right through the bottom of this tank, towards the middle/front. This tank hangs over my dresser by 2in., which makes for ideal drainage.I do not have a picture of my drilling, but I pulled a pic off google of the exact drill bit I used to bore through the glass.




I used a simple rubber plug to keep water from draining at inappropriate times. The hole itself has a piece of fiberglass mesh hot glued over the hole to prevent hydroballs from coming out of the hole.




After the hydroball layer and fiberglass screening as a substrate barrier, I dumped ABG mix in. (I got all of the supplies from Josh's Frogs).



at this point I removed some spaghnum moss and added a brick of eco earth into the ABG mix to give the plants something to root into (yes, fully planted vivarium!) I also crushed up 5 big Magnolia leaves into the eco earth for decay and nutrients for the plants abs springtails (coming later this week). No pics of this as my hands were very dirty at this point But here's a pic of what I ordered so you all know what went into it!



After planting and adding some hollow cork logs into the substrate for hiding and slow decay for the plants and springtails


I removed the screen from the lid and siliconed custom cut glass from Lowes on the underside of the lid



Added the lid and an Exo Terra Monsoon system. Spray nozzles can be seen in front upper corners.



To drain the tank, I simply pull the vivarium forward a little, hold a bucket under the tank, and pull the rubber plug! Simple and effective!

Lighting is 2 exo terra natural light bulbs and one exo terra UVB 100 builb (5.0)

I will post more pictures once I get more plants (and the ones I have are grown in) and of course once I get my darts from the Hamburg show on the 19th. If you have any questions on my build ask!

P.S. its good to be back in the swing if things

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4