R. Ventrimaculatus - 18x18x24 Build Journal

[deranged chipmunk]

I would use clear, 2 part epoxy. But the problem is going to be keeping the water from getting underneath it and pushing it out. Never underestimate the power if water, even in a small trickle. The Grand Canyon started out as a small trickle turned into the Colorado river. Or something like that. (Never been there lol)


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

[DigitalPunk]

lol

Yeah that is what is causing my hesitation with doing it. I don't want to get caught in the never ending battle of trying to control water. I may get some good marginals and put them in the path so the root naturally change the waters path.

[DigitalPunk]

Hoping to start the 2nd coat of the slurry today. This will most likely be the last coat before testing the waterfall begins.

I did place on order today for the last bit of supplies I needed for this. Hoping to have some pictures to add later today.

[deranged chipmunk]

Very cool!


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

[DigitalPunk]

The first coat of slurry is still drying in a few spots so I decided to test out the waterfall while I wanted for the preverbial paint to dry. I snapped a few pictures of it in the first test. I plan on doing a few changes to it, but here it is in phase one.

[DigitalPunk]

Bill your forum inbox is full

[deranged chipmunk]

Bill your forum inbox is full

i know. i fixed it. downside to being a mod is a lot of pm's and no more inbox space than a regular user. LOL

[DigitalPunk]

lol I figured you knew just wanted to give you a heads up

[DigitalPunk]

I decided to do a 2nd coat of the slurry after all. I will get to that in a minute though. I need to share something first.

While I was downstairs working on the tank my daughter came down (she is 11) and was asking 1000 questions about the frogs and then new tank and life. I was just enjoying myself when I caught some movement out of the corner of my left eye. I turned to see what insect was sneaking up on me. It was a black cricket.. So I moved the trashcan it was by so I could capture it to return it to the cricket bin. As I leaned over to grab it (I didn't have to get out of my seat) it started to move towards me. Silly cricket. It stopped just shy of my food. I put my hand down behind it to hopefully scare the cricket into it when it Hopped into my hand. I pulled my hand closer and it wasn't a cricket after all. It was a R. Vent. Covered in dust and lint (looks almost black). It layer its little head down on the plan of my hand and didn't move or try to escape. It let me gent ally remove the dirt and lint from it. I filled the palm of my hand with water and it moved down into the cent of my palm and soaked for a few mins. Then it climbed up onto my finger and looked over towards the cages. I opened the Vent tank and it walked off my hand and onto the driftwood. I put some flies in and it ate a few before going to soak some more.

I don't know yet if this is one of the original 2 that escaped or if a 3rd got out more recently and I am just finding that one. I will try to determine this over the next few days, but right now I am solo glad he/she is home.





now onto the tank.

I just did some spot 2nd coating on the tank. There were to many smooth spots still. I took a picture previously of the pot of slurry so this time I took a picture of a top of slurry on my brush and my brush putting some one.





and now we wait for it to dry.



I then decided to go ahead and finish up the lid for the tank. I took the screen out of the exo terra top and took it to a local glass shop and had 2 pieces of glass cut and installed into it. This cost $13. I had them leave the glass 1.5 inch short of the front. This will be the vent. I siliconed the screening over it tonight.



More to come soon. I had a flash of brilliance on what I could do to add some more style to this tank. I will post more about it as I progress.

[deranged chipmunk]

That is such awesome news about the vent! I am so happy for you. It just goes to show how tough they are, despite their diminutive size.

Oh, and the build looks good lol


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

[DigitalPunk]

Here's to hoping that this is vent #3 returned home and not Vent #2.

[DigitalPunk]

I am now leaning towards this being a 3rd escape. I found a hole in the back of the tank top just big enough for them to squeeze through. I plugged it up tonight. At least 2 of them are safe!

[DigitalPunk]

It's been a busy 5th of July for the new Vent tank.

I spent the first bit of the morning siliconing in some stones around the pond opening. I did this to help prevent some of the soil from falling down into the water and to add a little more color to the tank.



I then set out to add some more detail to the back ground. It is hard to tell in these pictures, but I thought I would share it anyways.






I then took the tank out to the garage and painted the sides, back, and a part of the front black. I only took a picture of the front because... well the other sides are just black (except of the side with the pump in it. I left a small spot to see the pump and filter.



I think that wraps this up till the order arrives the coming week.

[DigitalPunk]

Few more update photos.

I cut some Manzanita branches and placed them in the tank to mimic small trees.








I cut a filter and wrapped it around the pump. The pump will supply water to the waterfall and filter the water. I did not get a picture of this.

Aquatic soil and Water added to the tank.



And Leaves added to the water.



Top temp put in place to check for escape routes for the Vents. I will have to use some sphagnum to fill in game along the top to keep them from getting in behind the walls. Using the exo terra to will help prevent them from escaping through the lid hopefully.

[TeenyToad]

Wow, it's looking so great! I absolutely love the waterfall idea--so creative!

Good thing you didn't squish the "cricket"! What a cute little guys he is, and so tiny!


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[DigitalPunk]

Thanks Teeny! That vent is nearly full grown if not at it's adult size already. They are a very shy frog. Hoping this new tank will get them out in the open a bit more.

[TeenyToad]

Really?! Wow, I thought the little guy was just a baby! I'm sure this new environment will help them break out of their shell Especially with that awesome waterfall! I can't wait to see a planted update!


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[DigitalPunk]

Let the waterfall run over night. I love it. Was worried about the waterfall disturbing the aquatic soil, but it is not causing any issues at all. Enter the water fairly gently... I think this may actually work lol.

[LilyPad]

Awesome, Paul! It's always good to have success with a water feature LOL

[DigitalPunk]

Yeah it is. I have the worst luck with them lol