Colleen's Azureus Build

[ColleenT]

Well, it's not huge, but this 20H tank should be good enough for 2 Azureus. I have ordered a bunch of supplies and a lid and all of that is on the way. In the meantime, i decided to jump right in and try a build of my own. Something simple, but it is my first. i left a few inches at the bottom of the tank b/c i will have deep substrate. i added a plastic cup cave, and after the next layer, i hope to gently pull the plastic cup out. we will see. i plan to give it extra time to set up. i also placed two very small cup bottoms for air plants later. At Lowes today i got a pothos and a Cute little plant called a Fittonia Red Anne. Wish me Luck, i'm totally apprehensive about doing it myself.

20h build


Fittonia

[Fbt123]

Looks great so far, cant wait to see the rest of the build . Fittonias are great little plants, i have a fittinia 'red' as well, it definitely adds a nice but of colour to a viv

[Fbt123]

Im thinking that my first dartfrog will be an azureus (?) too, they look amazing. Maybe i could steal a few ideas from your build

[jarteta97]

Subscribed! Can't wait to see what you can do Colleen I wouldn't worry about the small cups, though, because it's much easier and better looking to just pin air plants to the background, hence the name air plants because they get all their nutrients and water from the air! It seems like you did you're research too, so nice job.

[Frogman1031]

Looking very nice so far! Can't wait to see how it looks! Remember to keep us posted

[ColleenT]

thanks. if i do one thing well, it's read. i can never get enough info. and i am sure i will have a thousand more Q's by the time i am done. the first layer has quickly expanded, and now i'n nervous about adding any more. i might use a popsicle stick to try to thin it when i put it on again. idk. i might pull the cups out instead of trying to make a cup-shaped form, since it is so thick, and air ferns don't need much. the cave is my next venture, tomorrow i will see when the GS has set up. Thanks, Eli i will. this is my thread for my progress..

[Fbt123]

I probably sound really stupid by asking this, but what is a "popsicle stick"?

[ColleenT]

it is a small stick they put in popsickles? ice cream on a stick? Sorry idk what they are called over there.

[jarteta97]

Lol, I had no idea that that was a US term.

[awelcome]

I watched a video of someone doing a GS background once and they just built up a higher section where they wanted to put plants and then once dry they cut out a cup like section to either put a pot or those net basket type things. Looked easy enough.

[ColleenT]

true, it is so thick, i can gouge out a couple holes for cup shapes. i don't know how anyone has the patience to do this. i already want to start coating it in silicone and cocoa fiber. i have NO patience!!

[jarteta97]

I think I watched the same video and used it when I did my first build. It was some woman who said she was from frog forum, lol. Cutting it out is a lot harder IMO than just simply sticking the net cup or whatever you want in the great stuff right after spraying it.

[Fbt123]

We call them ice lolly (or ice lollies for plural) over here lol

[ColleenT]

We call them ice lolly (or ice lollies for plural) over here lol

oh well, good to know!

[deranged chipmunk]

I think I watched the same video and used it when I did my first build. It was some woman who said she was from frog forum, lol. Cutting it out is a lot harder IMO than just simply sticking the net cup or whatever you want in the great stuff right after spraying it.

Balloons. Blow up a small balloon, place it where you want, foam over it, when the foam cures, pop the balloon and remove the remnants. Makes a nice little planter.

Looks good so far Colleen. As far as using the Popsicle stick, some advice, don't try to control the foam. It will turn into a goopy mess. Better to let it cure first and then carve it after it is cured


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

[ColleenT]

this stuff is so thick, i think i'm jut going to finish my cave, and start carving. i can easily make some small shelves and cup shaped spots for air ferns.

[Fbt123]

Bill, isnt your avatar one of the chipmunks from Alvin and the chipmunks lol?

[Frogman1031]

Thats because popsicle is a brand name that is way more popular in the US. I always just called them ice pops even though i never had one.

Im learning alot from your build that i didnt know. I didnt know that you were supposed to use silicone! Lucky i havent even started mine yet! I would have messed up so bad!

[deranged chipmunk]

Bill, isnt your avatar one of the chipmunks from Alvin and the chipmunks lol?

Hehe, yes. Theodore. Not my fav (Alvin is), but a customer gave it to me and i didn't have the heart to tell her it was the wrong one lol


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

[ColleenT]

Eli- read thru the vivarium threads and learn a lot. plus there is a sticky and a video, so it's sort of easy to figure out. i'm a big nerd with everything i am interested in, so i read whatever i can find.