18x18x24 AGTF Build Journal

[jarteta97]

Major problem: I opened up my springtail culture today and found this:



This really worries me. I'm not sure if some flies got in and laid eggs or what, but I hope my whole culture isn't "compromised". Any suggestions on what I should do besides throw these little maggots out, because that's exactly what I did.

[Dewandaru Talang]

Major problem: I opened up my springtail culture today and found this:



This really worries me. I'm not sure if some flies got in and laid eggs or what, but I hope my whole culture isn't "compromised". Any suggestions on what I should do besides throw these little maggots out, because that's exactly what I did.

wow, where did that come from ? Did you have any rotten things there.
but still a nice prject sir.

[DigitalPunk]

Josh, Email Neherp and let me know what you found in the culture. Send the picture along with it. They have a guarantee now other insect present in the culture and will send you out a new one. I would still do as Bill suggested to save as many springs from this culture as you can thought.

I love how this is turning out! I agree with the concerns about the duct tape. Hope we are wrong though.

[jarteta97]

Thanks, I'll e-mail NEherp tonight. I've already transferred many springs into a new culture, and am still keeping the other one running, just in case I need to transfer a few dozen or so more.

I'm a little concerned about the duct tape now too, and am regretting the decision of using it now . My finger's are crossed that it doesn't leak any chemicals, because I'm too far along in the build to reverse that. I certainly won't be using it in the future, and just hope my mistakes don't affect my frogs. Hopefully I've learned from this.

I finished all three sides of the tank with great stuff, and am currently waiting for the silicone under the coco fiber to cure on the back wall. I'm probably going to have to touch some spots up with titebond, lol. I also purchased some drylok paint for the foam around the base of the ghostwood, as that will be mostly underwater. I'm still debating on whether I want a grey colored stone look, or more of a brown river stone look to match the background. I also decided to mount the miniature african violet in a pot in the background, and am replacing it's spot on the ground area with a pilea cadierei that I found at Home Depot.

I can't wait to finish with the coco fiber and drylok, because I really want to get those plants in, I'm super excited

[Lija]

Josh, i really love the tank so far.... But!..... It is better to fix what is in question now then later.....
Duck tape does nasty things in high humidity environments. For one it will come out. Rather sooner then later. Vivariums with running water are unpredictable and anything can and will happen. If at least a little piece get stuck to a frog or chemicals are gonna get into water.... You will regret you didnt fix at a stage you are now.

Fix it, you can silicone that piece in.

[DigitalPunk]

Mike and Jessica at NeHerp are great people! Makes me smile each time I hear someone say they bought from them

In looking at the pictures you posted it looks possible to use a razor knife to slice around the area that was duct taped and remove it and replaces it with a different solution.

I can tell you from personal experience. It is always better to pump the brakes and correct a potential concern before you have the whole tank done, planted, filled with water, and frogs in. To only realize you should of fixed the issue before you got to this point. I have been there before as has anyone who has undertaken a technical Paludarium build.

[jarteta97]

Ok, I'll take your advice. I think that I will be able to get the duct tape out. What I was mainly looking for was a corner that I could fit my airline tubing and electrical cords through. First thing tomorrow morning, I'll work on it and try to get the duct tape out. Thanks for the tips guys (and girls)