24x24x18 Exo build

[deranged chipmunk]

The best way to get a moss background is to use a moss mix. Folius has some of the best around. You make a slurry with it and paint it on. A little moisture, a touch of humidity and a lot of patience and you'll have a wonderful moss wall. You can get it at www.folius.net or see Paul at vivariums in the mist. Paul is based on Long Island, so shipping would be pretty quick for you, I would imagine.


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

[Mentat]

I like very much the look you achieved on first build and progress on new one, congrats !

[deranged chipmunk]

You know what I like most about this build? The time frame. You didn't rush anything. You took you time and that definitely is showing in the long run.

Many people can learn a thing or two from this build. Excellent job!!!!


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

[DigitalPunk]

My personal experience and failure with moss mix leads me to say the following to you if you do go that route. Let the moss mix grow in the tank without frogs for 30 - 60 days. We did not and our Moss wall payed the price... I swear these little Azureus are intentionally climbing up and knocking the bits of moss off as they start to turn green! Oh well lesson learned. I will be giving the moss mix another shot on a future build for sure!

I agree with Bill, so many times the mistakes made on a tank build is the rush to finish it. I have said it before and I will keep saying it. Building a tank is a journey where you take your time and enjoy the sights and the process. Rushing will lead to mistakes and more money and time.... every time.

Paul

[sp13126]

Well first coat dried. Doesn't look to bad but I want it to be browner. So another coat and see where it sands.

While the titebond mixture was still I covered it with loose peat moss.

Let see what the outcome is.

[TeenyToad]

It's looking so great!


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[deranged chipmunk]

Looking good!!


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

[DigitalPunk]

Coming along nicely!

[sp13126]

Second coat of titebond is done. Looking good but plants would be nice. Started to add some of the stones in. Thinking about add some long fiber sphagnum moss which is light in color to the background to give it more contrast.


A close up shot of the pond area.

The only thing I didn't think about when I made the pond area is the flow back to the pump. I'm relying water to flow threw the gravel and the gap that I left under the slate. Well once everything has time to sit Ill add water and see what happens and see if I got that one little water leak off the side the water fall fixed.

[sp13126]

Let everything setup for awhile and tried the waterfall found a small leak out the side of the waterfall. So I came up with this, using a paint brush and black silicone. I'm silicone the cracks between the stones and adding small plebes to change flow of water to where I want it. Well try to. When I'm finish I'll let the silicone sit for a couple days before I try the waterfall again. At least I'm learning a few things with this build for the next one lol.

[DigitalPunk]

The issue you will either fight or learn to use it to your ability is that any water that touches your background will wick its way across the background. I had a similar issue in a previous tank that lead me to kill my waterfall all together. Hopefully you can beat this thing!

[deranged chipmunk]

My suggestion would be to let the water wick the moisture up and work with it. Java moss (or any aquatic moss) will thrive there.


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

[DigitalPunk]

Agree with bill 100%. You will go mad trying to control the way the water flows.

[sp13126]

There is only one spot that I really worried about, that would effect the substrate. I have a plan just waiting on supplies. The other areas where the water splashes or wicks I plan on java moss to keep things in check lol.

[sp13126]

Good news licked the leak in the waterfall. For the water that was splashing on the side of the waterfall will work great for the java moss. Now its time to think about the plants that I'm going to put in. I know this part should go into the plant section but it would be a pain to start a whole new thread on this build. I would like to have some color in the tank beside the brown and grays form the stone and peat moss. Would like some help with this. I have three places for larger plants one on the background that I made out of cork, one in the back corner and one in the front. This is one of the plants that I'm thinking.
Tillandsia ionantha

With air plants do I need to install a fan to move the air around in the tank? Thank for all the help with this build.

[DigitalPunk]

No air movement is required, at least not in my experience.... I have a Tillandsia in 2 of my dart tanks and they are doing great! You just need to skip misting them every other misting.

[sp13126]

So the thank has been sitting with water in it for a week now, while I wait for more items for it. Today I happen to notice a line of water coming from a corner of the tank, what my luck. Now I have to remove all thewater, loose stone and flip the tank on its back and see if I can reseal the bottom of the tank from the outside. Glad I have patience.

[DigitalPunk]

ugh that is heart breaking. Good thing you noticed it now and not after you had all the plants and soil and frogs in there.

I always try to fill my tank with more water than it will need prior to as much of the build as possible. I usually only let water sit in it for a few days, but sometimes the leak is so small it takes the water longer to find it's way out.

Just remember to scrap as much of the silicone off the leak area as you can before you try to seal it up. Silicone will not stick to itself so putting silicone over silicone will just waste your time and frustrate you more

If you already knew all of that than consider it sage advice for anyone following along on your build

[sp13126]

Its been a while and its time for a update. After noticing the leak in the tank I had to remove the false bottom and most of the spray foam background, but did save the waterfall. Resealed the tank and put water in it and let it sit for a week with water and checked for leaks, no leaks found. So time to start to rebuild.

During the time I was rebuilding my light came in. I found it on ebay for 42 and some change. It has a day light and a moon light. The LED light is full spectrum and rated at 6 to 6.5K. Should work great.

This is how the tank is looking now after the rebuild with a few plants in it.

So far for plants I have Fittonia verschaffeltii 'Minima' (bottom back left corner), Curly something for got the name (bottom back middle behind driftwood), and Neoregelia Ampullacea red (background middle behind the branches). Still need more tho. Will keep the updates come as this tank is head toward the end of the build.

[jarteta97]

Wow, that really sucks about the leak test, sorry. It looks good though, and I can't wait to see what other plants you put in it, particularly around the waterfall.