Member's Choice Build

[jarteta97]

Bill, that viv creation thread will be SO useful when you do it. There are so many things I feel like I still wouldn't know how to do, most particularly water areas that meet straight into land, and mounting plants. All I have to say is: details, details, details!

[DigitalPunk]

When are you going to have that thread up bill?



***Never mind I see it lol***

[deranged chipmunk]

You're in luck then. I am in the process of writing an article that runs you step by step on building. From the beginnings of design all the way through to completion and planting. This tank will be used for part of it. Once you see how easy it really is, everyone will have truly stunning vivs!!


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[deranged chipmunk]

Ok.....hardscape version 2.0. The wood is the same wood that was in the tank previously, with an added branch and arranged differently. I just tried something new out. I bleached all that rich brown manzanita to a nice bright beige. I want to let it "weather" inside the tank naturally and see what I get.


Added soil mix and soil for the aquatics, guess where my roots feeders are going??


Then I added the sand. I used exoterra river bed sand the first go around on this tank, and I really was digging it, so I decided to use it again. Admire this picture for a long time, because it's the last time the same will be clean lol. As a few of you know, I like a natural tank, so I don't mind soil and other miscellaneous things on my substrate. You won't find pristine sand caps in nature and you won't find them in my tanks




Then I filled the tank, and added leaf litter for the aquatic portion.


Tonight, I will cut new glass for my lid. I didn't really care for the frosted plexi I uses before, so I'm going with clear lexan this time. Then I'll plant the aquatics and pray that i don't get much crypt melt.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[DigitalPunk]

Looking good Bill! I think it is so crucial that the seasoned tank builder (like you) post when a tank design or something didn't go right. Lets all the rest of us know it can happen to anyone and we aren't alone in our struggles

Thanks Buddy!

[deranged chipmunk]

Oh believe me. Nobody is alone in failures. It happens to everybody. Even major leaguers commit errors.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[deranged chipmunk]

First round of planting done!




Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[deranged chipmunk]

Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[jarteta97]

Looking Good! I love the branch sticking out of the water. Have you thought of any plants going on it?

[deranged chipmunk]

Yeah, the ones that are in it lol the aquatics are planted, I just got the water too cloudy to take a pic right away.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[TeenyToad]

Wow, what a beautiful enclosure! You're very skilled!!


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[AlexanderSalamander]

Sorry, this is probably a stupid question, but how did you get the moss/ferns to grow on the branch, ive always wanted to do that!

[deranged chipmunk]

Not a stupid question at all. 4lb test fishing line.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[deranged chipmunk]

Wow, what a beautiful enclosure! You're very skilled!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the kind words.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[AlexanderSalamander]

And they will grow into the wood eventually?

[deranged chipmunk]

The moss will attach itself, but it will never be permanent, just like in nature


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[AlexanderSalamander]

Ill definitely give it a try, thanks for the advice.

[deranged chipmunk]

So after fighting with this tank for months now. Pump failures and clogging pumps, I decided to rip it apart and remove the water feature and turn it into a straight up, drainage layer dart tank. This is, I believe, my first permanent set up using a drainage layer. I planted it heavy because I needed to empty out my growout tank for a future project. Here's how it looks now. I still need to add a ridiculous amount of moss, but the basics are in there.








Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[DigitalPunk]

Looks good Bill! The way you plant your tanks is so very impressive. I can only hope to get that good in the future

Right now I still feel like I am just putting things in the tank so it looks some what good, but don't have the skill you do for sure!

Got any frogs planned for this one?

[deranged chipmunk]

Thanks Paul! It's all about figuring out how they will look all growed up and giving them a good starting point. Colors and textures should play off each other.

I am thinking about ranitomeya vanzolini for this tank. Not 100% on that one. But I have time. I'll let this grow a few months first.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela