18x18x24 AGTF Build Journal

[jarteta97]

Here, I have some questions.

I don't need to do it until I actually plant the tank, but how does one go about splitting pups off of a bromeliad?
Will the springtails breed in those conditions, or would I need something more?
For the million hearts cuttings, I basically took the cut ends and stuck them into ABG mix in a flower pot. I'm not sure if this is actually how you would go about this, because I've never really had to deal with cuttings. A couple of weeks ago, I cut a leaf from a pothos plant and stuck it in some potting soil, and it hasn't died off, so that's basically all my experience, lol.

I've also been really thinking about the water section of the tank, particularly in the water to land transition. I've seen tanks where the soil seems to just merge perfectly with the water, and I'd love to somehow do that. Also, I'm not too keen about having an egg crate wall being seen through the water, so I got to thinking. What if I great stuffed the whole egg crate wall besides one little crack/section, so that the water could get through to the rest of the tank. Then, I could just silicone and coco fiber it like normal. Is this feasible? Suggestions, ideas, and critiques are welcome.

[DigitalPunk]

I don't need to do it until I actually plant the tank, but how does one go about splitting pups off of a bromeliad? A. You can either break the pups off as low down against the mother plants as possible or snip them off with a pair of scissors. You won't hurt the mother plant at all. In fact removing the pups will prompt her to grow more pups Feel free to snip them off anytime after the pups reach 1/3 the size of the mother. Until they are removed they will consume the mother plants nutrients preventing her from creating more pups.

Will the springtails breed in those conditions, or would I need something more? A. The Spring tails will breed in the soil bin you have them in and in the terrarium once they are all dumped in. They are prolific and as long as you keep them very humid (I would cover them with a lid and mist them several times a day)

For the million hearts cuttings, I basically took the cut ends and stuck them into ABG mix in a flower pot. I'm not sure if this is actually how you would go about this, because I've never really had to deal with cuttings. A couple of weeks ago, I cut a leaf from a pothos plant and stuck it in some potting soil, and it hasn't died off, so that's basically all my experience, lol. A. Yes that is all you need. Keep them well watered. These first few weeks are critical for them. They will start to grow roots, but will die quickly if allowed to dry out.

I've also been really thinking about the water section of the tank, particularly in the water to land transition. I've seen tanks where the soil seems to just merge perfectly with the water, and I'd love to somehow do that. Also, I'm not too keen about having an egg crate wall being seen through the water, so I got to thinking. What if I great stuffed the whole egg crate wall besides one little crack/section, so that the water could get through to the rest of the tank. Then, I could just silicone and coco fiber it like normal. Is this feasible? Suggestions, ideas, and critiques are welcome. A. I wouldn't bother with it. You can get some aquatic soil to build up and hide the egg crate or warp the egg crate wall in a couple layers of fiberglass window screen to obscure it from view. Once all the plants get in and going the last thing people will point out if the tiny bit of egg crate they can see but that is just me. I don't see anything wrong with your idea. I would probably use the black spray foam and then just leave it be so it disappears into the water.

[jarteta97]

Thanks Paul! ever so wise. The springtail box is covered in a lid, and is very humid, but I will mist like you said. As for the water section, I might go looking for aquatic soil, but if what you said is true, then I'm not going to worry about it too much.

[DigitalPunk]

Let me know how that filter works out for you. I have it in my Mantella tank and the water in there is doing great!! The filter is a bit big, but being able to rotate the sponges to be horizontal is a huge help. I took the snorkel off of mine which brought the top of the tube to just above water level. All my springtails jump in the water and congregate around the opening. It is quite funny

[jarteta97]

Found this beauty at Home Depot, and it's the perfect size of what I'm looking for:



Also, my miniature (more like micro, lol) african violet came in today from violetbarn.com, and it's going to definitely be put on the wall it's so small:



It's even prettier than I thought it would be, and I can't wait till it blooms.

And what's got me real excited is that after making $85 selling stuff on craigslist, I can finally afford the actual tank, and should be picking it up this afternoon, so expect updates to start coming quick.

[jarteta97]

Update: I got the tank!



First, I started playing around with the Ghostwood, which took forever. I narrowed it down to two different hardscapes, so let me know what you guys think.



For the second, I would combine the two into an actually pretty realistic looking tree using great stuff.



Here's my nifty garden glove so I don't stab myself on egg crate stubs




Until tonight, though, I'm leak testing it

[deranged chipmunk]

I like the first version, but I would try to offset them a bit so the "X" where they meet is off center.


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

[DigitalPunk]

I also like the first version out of the 2. I also agree that having them cross off center would probably look better. It's a design thing, if the main focal point is off center it makes the tank feel more balanced overall

[jarteta97]

Thanks guy, I'm still learning how to use the rule of thirds, and I really appreciate the input.

[Lija]

Wow, such a nice planning of everything!

[jarteta97]

Thanks Lija, but it's Bill and Paul who pretty much taught me everything I know, lol.

[Mentat]

Looking good so far Josh! IRT the egg crate showing; have you thought to use any dark plastic film on the outside of the lower enclosure area to hide it? Also, you could actually paint the glass black too .

[deranged chipmunk]

Found this beauty at Home Depot, and it's the perfect size of what I'm looking for:



Also, my miniature (more like micro, lol) african violet came in today from violetbarn.com, and it's going to definitely be put on the wall it's so small:



It's even prettier than I thought it would be, and I can't wait till it blooms.

And what's got me real excited is that after making $85 selling stuff on craigslist, I can finally afford the actual tank, and should be picking it up this afternoon, so expect updates to start coming quick.

On the mini, not sure if you know this or not, but don't plant it in a pot larger than 2". The mini's will actually suffer in anything larger.


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

[jarteta97]

Thanks Bill, I think you already mentioned earlier, so I was planning on using a 2" pot, but a reminder always helps, no matter what the case.

[jarteta97]

So, I went to Lowe's today, just because my dad was taking me with him to exchange a sink we bought. While he's doing his thing, I go into the garden section to browse their selection (don't we all ) And I was pretty freakin surprised at the selection they had in terms of vivarium plants.







If I had the space in the vivarium, I would have grabbed that rex begonia in a heartbeat.

On an unrelated sidenote, I started my great stuff background tonight after the tank passed the leak test.

[DigitalPunk]

looks good. Don't forget to add drain holes in the pots. You can just jam a straw up into them or use a screw driver to make a hole into the bottom of the pot.

[jarteta97]

Will do Paul. I'm about to head to Lowe's in about 30 minutes to an hour, and may want to pick up some plants. I still have some room over the pond portion of the tank on the left, so does anyone have any suggestions for plants that could go there (and that could be found at Lowe's)?

[jarteta97]

I was working out in the yard today with the family, and I noticed some really awesome mosses that I could use help identifying.







The moss in the second and third pictures really looks like sphagnum moss IMO. And I really love the look of the moss in the first picture. Is it pillow moss?

[Bombina Bob]

I find this moss out in the woods every now and then, I call it "pillow moss" despite not knowing the species.

[DigitalPunk]

I call them all Moss. I find moss near impossible to identify lol. Bill (deranged Chipmunk) is our resident plant Nut... err expert. Maybe he will chime in on this one.