Large Exoterra build for RETFs

[tinkgirl77]

I know I know lol... in nursing terms "if its not documented, it didn't happen". I'll see what I can post tonight if I can get some done

[deranged chipmunk]

Yay!! If you need help, just let me know. I have a few ideas for a pandora tank


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

[DigitalPunk]

I looked at my wife the other day when you 2 first mentioned a Pandora tank and i said "Dang it! I want to do a Pandora tank now!" lol Cant wait to see some PICS hint hint lol.

[tinkgirl77]

Yayyyy! I will certainly let you guys know when my glowstones get here. Should be here by weekend. Then plan to do a test run with lightning.

Bill, I would LOVE to hear your ideas! Please pm me details! Imma be cracked out on red bull tonight working on my tank cuz im off tomorrow!

[tinkgirl77]

Alrighty guys and gals, thanks to my red bull wings last night and tonight, I Finally got some work done. Now imma just be nursing bloody fingers for the next few days lol. Well here goes...


Building the false bottom.

After some tweaking here and there, the final floor plan came to mind... the part that is wrapped in.mesh already with be my "cork tube stream". I did it in my first viv and last night when I was working on all this, I looked over and 2 of my retfs wee chiling in the stream. So I decided to put it into the floorplan bc they enjoy it. Water will trickle down the "stone pools" and into the stream ::hopefully :: this will carry the water to the rock filled wading pool in the front of the tank.


After some thinking, decided to create an access point for my cannister inlet tube and siphon access. I decided against doing a bulkhead bc my hubby and I don't want to be responsible for cracking the tank. Maybe one day. The white pvc has a 2" h x 3" w cut out at the bottom.

Im currently watching some james bond and covering the eggcrates with window screen. Once that is done, tomorrow I plan to place and silicone the supports in place. Please let me know what you guys think! Have a good night! See y'all Soon!

[deranged chipmunk]

Lisa, Lisa, Lisa...........this, is starting to shape up nice! Sorry, I have been a bit busy the past few days and haven't gotten a chance to shoot you a pm, but I will tonight.

Watching James Bond? What a cool chick!


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

[DigitalPunk]

WoW Lisa I am liking the layout you have four the floor! Can't wait to see how the stream turns out

[tinkgirl77]

Thanks guys! Yall are getting me even more inspired!

[LilyPad]

Looking really great, Lisa!

[deranged chipmunk]

Thanks guys! Yall are getting me even more inspired!

You guys are starting to get me inspired to build a new tank. Hmmm.....I'm thinking I may have to start a new one this weekend


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

[LilyPad]

Aren't we all pretty much always planning the next one, if only in our heads? I know I am.

[tinkgirl77]

Thanks guys! Imma be working some more tonight. In the meantime I'm waiting on a bulk order of cork flats from Maryland cork! So stay tuned, may have some nice pieces for sale!

[deranged chipmunk]

Aren't we all pretty much always planning the next one, if only in our heads? I know I am.

I've always got 3 or 4 in my head at all times lol


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

[deranged chipmunk]

Thanks guys! Imma be working some more tonight. In the meantime I'm waiting on a bulk order of cork flats from Maryland cork! So stay tuned, may have some nice pieces for sale!

Hmm, not a big fan of cork. But I'll have to see what you have left.


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

[tinkgirl77]

Ok Guys and gals, not much progress tonight. Decided on watching wolverine and Tron and having a beer while nursing an injured finger (thanks to the eggcrate) . But I was able to make complete my final internet shopping/ordering . I ordered the eheim 2213 (thanks for the suggestion bill, I think it'll be great!), submersible heater, another reptifogger (I like mine a bunch an will create some really awesome drama to my little "Pandora"), some ABG from neherp, another piece of ghost wood (which will hopefully fill my wood void), some black tetra pond foam and 2 17w jungle dawns! Hmm my wallet is aching as much as my finger now lol. Well on to zipties and window mesh!

[DigitalPunk]

used your finger to break the egg crate nubs off huh? Helps if you keep your finger out towards the end of the nub so it misses being dragged down any sharp pits left over. I got the bloody sore finger once and decided to change that bit up some

Man I LOVE NeHerp! love them! I got my plants in today for the Vent tank and Jessica threw in a free upgrade on a plant for me! They have sent me free plants before and have always been very helpful! Glad to see others are sending them some business. I am actually going to try out their soil mix on my current build. It is the same price as ABG so I figure why not I also use NeHerps fruit fly mix. I have tried several and have had the best luck with Neherps. I love that you don't need to boil the water or mix the media! Just pour water on it and it mixes itself!

Anyways.

Wow that filter is pricey... I am far to cheap for that lol. Maybe if I could use one of those to filter 2 - 5 tanks I could do it but, for one... ouch. Now the waiting game for supplies begins. I hate that part! lol. If you have a Menards in your area they have the Great Stuff Pond and Stone (black) for $5 this week. I went and bought 4 of them today (normally they sale them for $7ish) most othe replaces want $15 plus for them. I have even seen it for $25. Menards is usually not the cheapest but they win on the foam.

Let me know what you think of the Jungle dawns. I almost bought some the other day, but the LED lights on Aquatraders.com prices are hard to beat.

[tinkgirl77]

Thanks a bunch paul! Yep you guessed it. Im wearing my pink leather garden gloves next time lol.

The filter is pricey but will hopefully pump the water to the top of my waterfall which is 3ft. So it's gotta be pretty tough. All the reviews show that it works well. The smaller tank I will do something else.

Yea I love neherp they always are super quick to ship! I will definitely keep in mind about their media. Ive been researching that for my new tenants that I'm adopting next month. Which means anither build when this one is done lol.

[DigitalPunk]

If I am not mistaken Pink leather will protect you from almost anything

Makes sense for the canister filter since the top go your waterfall is so far up. Good thinking I love the planning and fore thought!

Just a suggestion i would get a culture or 2 of fruit flies (will prob need to start with the smaller kind) and practice culturing them in advance of your new frogs. The smaller fruit flied (D. Mal.... i always forget their names) will produce the tastes. Usually you will see larva in 1 week and in 2 weeks new flies will emerge. I failed on my first couple tries when I first started culturing them. I use the 32oz relic cups right now, but in an attempt to save money I am going to get some glass jars and make some lids for them so I can was a reuse the jars and stop the endless purchasing of deli cups and lids lol.

[deranged chipmunk]

D. melanogaster!!!


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

[DigitalPunk]

oh I remember D. melanogaster! It just came to me suddenly......