R. Ventrimaculatus - 18x18x24 Build Journal

[DigitalPunk]

Due to the recent escapes and subsequent deaths of 2 of my R. Vents I am setting up a new home for them and relocating the remaining 2. I will then tear their current home down and attempt to repair the spot they escaped from.

I already had a rough idea what I wanted to do in this tank and have tweaked it a bit for the vents. The main focal point will be a water fall. I am hoping this attempt at a waterfall actually works lol.


Without further Adieu -

First I cut the top of the false bottom. It is hard to tell in the photo, but I marked a line down the center of the X and Y axis. I traced out a pond section and marked off the back corners to be cut out.



I then cut off the back corners.



Then the Pond



Next it's time to add the supports to the False Bottom.



I set it on the table and applied some pressure to check for weaknesses.



The edges around the pond were weak. Some supports were added to strengthen it.



Next I did a rough test fit of the Deadfall wood I am going to use as the focal point for this tank. It will be setup roughly as shown in this picture and will have water running down into it the pond.



Added in some driftwood just to see how things could look.




Next I cut out the pieces for the back corners. A front view and a almost top down view.






I cut about 3 inches off the end of the sod piece to get it to fit the way I wanted it. I then cut a hole in the wall it will be on to allow it to lay through the wall a bit and achieve the angle I am aiming for.



I made a temp brace for the bottom to hold the wood at the right angle while it is on it's back for the next part.




Next is the spray foam. I am using Great Stuff: Pond and Stone. I like that it is designed to be around water and that it is Black. It being black will make it easier to cover up later.



I intentionally left the bottom under the wood clear of foam for now. The supports are temporary so I will remove them before I foam the bottom. This will all take place once the top foam has had time to cure.

More updates to follow as progress continues.

[LilyPad]

While I look forward to seeing another build from you, I'm sorry for the reason. Looking good so far.

[Mentat]

Good luck and thanks for sharing build !

[deranged chipmunk]

Aww jeez, another build? I may have to step it up a notch. Lol


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

[DigitalPunk]

I know... This isn't even the build I want to be doing right now, but I can't keep the other to Vents in the current tank. I have destroyed it looking for the other 2. So here I am again. I am a little nervous with this one. I haven't done a spray foam build in a long time and had carrying degrees of success with it. I am hoping this time goes much better, but I won't know until it is done and in place lol.

The first round of foam is dried and fully cured. Glad I decided to do a thin layer lol. I put the 2 back wall pieces in this morning and started foaming them into place. I did add a pice of cork to one side to give the wall a bit more texture and realism, but it made the wall much thicker than I hd planned. I am leaving as is for now, but if it becomes an issue I am prepared to remove the cork and stick will the foam only wall.

Doing the foaming outside of the tank was much easier, but did require some extra care in trimming to get the piece to fit back in where I wanted it in the tank.

[deranged chipmunk]

I never liked doing work outside the tank. Sure, it's hard to work inside, but after weaving my hands and arms through engine bays and contorting myself under dashboards all day, a tank is a piece of cake lol


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

[DigitalPunk]

I can totally respect that Bill LoL.

Here is the progress from last night.

I foamed a pieces of cork to the right side. I isn't fill the entire inside of the cork with foam, I only foamed along the edges and filled in the top and bottom of the cork to keep frogs from getting down inside it. I did this part last night late so it could cure over night.



And here is the left piece with the support removed after the foam cured. I was really wanting it to be a more gradual slope than it is, but unfortunately the 18x18 tanks done a lot much space for a piece this size.



Then I put the pieces in the tank and foamed them in. Some of this was done at 6am today and the rest just a few minutes ago.

[deranged chipmunk]

That looks cool! But man oh man are you gonna have trouble keeping the substrate from getting kicked up with such a steep angle.


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

[DigitalPunk]

I am going to put some Slate rock pieces in the water where the waterfall enters the water to try and keep the substrate from getting washed away .


I think I want to go with a grassy look for the water area. Any suggestions on grassy aquatic plants?

[deranged chipmunk]

That might work.

Dwarf Sagittaria (Sagittaria subulata) or microsword (I forget the Latin name) would work. You could also try dwarf hair grass, but you have to be careful there, because a lot of people sell dwarf hair grass and it turns out not to be the true dwarf.


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

[deranged chipmunk]

There are also a few ferns that might work. I will look those names up when I get home tonight.


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

[LilyPad]

Where do you purchase your aquatic plants, Bill? One of my local pet stores has a large variety, but they come out of tanks with live fish. I'd be nervous about transferring them into my viv. I've been looking for some dwarf sagittaria, but hard to find when I don't know the reputation of most places or if they're grown with fish or not.

(sorry to hijack)

[deranged chipmunk]

Grown with fish are ok. You can always do a mild bleach dip on them, like you would for terrestrials.

I can't remember the last time I "purchased" an aquatic. I normally make trades or people owe me favors that I cash in on. There are a few reputable places though. I have them bookmarked in another browser on my laptop. I'll shoot you some links tonight.


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

[LilyPad]

Their fish are never too healthy, so it always concerns me. Done hijacking this thread, back to your regular programing

[DigitalPunk]

No worries Amy, I like it when my threads draw in questions and get a conversation going

A site was recommended to me today by a friend who does a lot of planted tanks. She said they are great! but I have no experience with them (thought I am going to buy these aquatic plants from them.

AquariumPlants.com

I will let you know how iti goes and what their shipping prices are.



Thanks Bill! Let me know on that fern when you get a chance. I was already looking at Microsword! glad I was in the right ballpark for a change lol.

[LilyPad]

I think that a large order, that site might be good. I only wanted one plant though and the shipping was 3 times as much as the plant cost, so I skipped it for now.

[DigitalPunk]

Yeah I will most likely over order. I bought a 10Gallon tank at the $1 a gluon sale that is going on at Petco and will set it up to start growing and propagating aquatic plants in. I actually bought 2 in the hopes i out grow one fast and need 2 grow out tanks lol.

[deranged chipmunk]

I ordered from them once years ago, I was VERY unhappy with what I received. Honestly? Your best bet (if I don't have or can't get what you need) is sign up to plantedtank.net and hit the swap and shop there. Hobbyists are the best place to get plants.


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

[LilyPad]

You know what, our petsmart has a huge aquatic plant section. I didn't even think just to go there Duh.

[DigitalPunk]

Bill, I was thinking of getting a Dragon Flame (Hemigraphis Repanda) for the water fall. Do you have any experience with these?