The Rainforest Exhibit VLOG: Follow our BIG VIVARIUM BUILD!

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Oh, and as far as fish, if you want a true SA/CA species that is small and interesting looking, loom no further than Endler’s Live bearers. While almost extinct in nature, they are becoming even more abundant in the aquarium hobby and some new breeds have been introduced the past few years. They are an excellent alternative to common guppies (which they get confused with) and are infinitely more interesting to watch. Just my $.02


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Thank you...I will Google them right now!!! Definitely worth a look!

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Wow...it has been a crazy couple of weeks! I wanted to post more, but I have been so swamped...my apologies.

I decided NOT to use hydraulic cement, for several reasons.
I did feel more comfortable using cement, since it is really what I was trained with, but with so many people having used Drylok instead of cement, I looked into it a bit deeper.

So I bought some and played with it in my Custom Aquariums 75 Gallon Vivarium. It really is pretty cool! To me it felt like a store bought crete slurry!

Tinted it and, yeah, I like it a lot!

I will definitely have to paint it, of course. I will put that in a vlog along with when I painted my Vivarium Works rocks.

Here are pics. Let me know your thoughts...

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Well, I pulled the trigger on buying an RO System!

I have been reviewing several systems and I decided to go with the
APEC Top Tier 5-Stage Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
50 Gallons per Day, which is more than I will ever need.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I0ZGOZM...ing=UTF8&psc=1

I plan to store several gallons per day. I have several containers to use now (washed and safe for 6 months).

I will update this forum as the products arrive, since I also purchased fruit fly fabric cups, LED Lights, Clayballs, Springtail Cultures, etc.

A lot of things going on!!!!

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Hi everyone! Quick update...

been working on the foam land and ancient ruins. Decided to use Drylok instead of cement slurry. Very glad we did!

It is really terrific especially on this foam. Here are some pics...

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Worked on the Control Panel for The Rainforest Exhibit!

Used a square piece of black ABS Plastic. Drilled holes for wires and screws, also for the 2" risers.

Once all the holes were drilled I covered it with carbon fiber vinyl.
Cool results!

The top module is the MistKing Timer.
The two in the center are the Current Pro LED Control modules.
The tablet WILL be the USER Interface which will control the fog, ventilation, heater, sounds, streaming video cameras (hopefully), and info center (about flora and fauna).

I was going to have a tablet interface to control everything, but after seeing the MistKing and Current modules, they seemed very easy to use, and I liked the way they looked...so, done!

Thoughts?!?

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

We are starting to pick up steam!

We just installed the false bottom after running the plumbing for the sump filtration and drain system.

After building the false bottom and stand for the hardscape out of DUNAGroup/DUNAUSA U200 (drilled large drain holes, glued legs on the flat U200, zip tied and glued fiberglass mesh around sides of stand/false bottom), we soaked the clayballs (50L bag purchased from Josh's Frogs. We also had 2 lb bags from Custom Aquarium, but we did not want to open many of them to save for another time or backup) and poured them around the false bottom stand.

We then installed a plastic tile system to raise the hardscape around 1/4" to 3/8", to allow for drainage underneath these heavy items for uniform draining across the base.

The small square hole cut (4" square approx.) covers the sight hole for the drainage system underneath the main land area. We will glue a rock (shown) or small driftwood to the cover, to use as a handle to lift the small cover, in case we need to see underneath, or assist in drainage. We have a drain tube that we made from 1/2" PVC ("L" shape with holes drilled and slots, cemented together and placed directly on the bottom. There will be a dedicated Wet/Dry Vac connected to the plumbing out of this drain PVC, so we just hit a switch or put it on a timer, to drain this section of any substantial amount of water.

The next step is the weed barrier fabric that we have cut for this area. Once that is done, we can start installing the faux rock and mud wall, the faux ancient ruin waterfall and plumbing, the shallow stream and plumbing, the front aquarium/paludarium shoreline.

Our vlog channel will have one ot two more supply vids being downloaded next, and then we will go into the build vlog.
We are getting closer to adding substrates with our in-house ABG Mix(we may have a giveaway for some of it). Then plants, water, flora and fauna, as well as the fog, MistKing ADVANCED Misting System, more lighting, ventilation and heat, etc

Make sure to subscribe to our blog ( http://www.therainforestexhibit.com ) and check out our vlog ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtn...HuClgb5HVUaAAQ ) to keep up to date with our build and any giveaways we hold!

[Larry Wardog]

We are starting to pick up steam!

We just installed the false bottom after running the plumbing for the sump filtration and drain system.

After building the false bottom and stand for the hardscape out of DUNAGroup/DUNAUSA U200 (drilled large drain holes, glued legs on the flat U200, zip tied and glued fiberglass mesh around sides of stand/false bottom), we soaked the clayballs (50L bag purchased from Josh's Frogs. We also had 2 lb bags from Custom Aquarium, but we did not want to open many of them to save for another time or backup) and poured them around the false bottom stand.

We then installed a plastic tile system to raise the hardscape around 1/4" to 3/8", to allow for drainage underneath these heavy items for uniform draining across the base.

The small square hole cut (4" square approx.) covers the sight hole for the drainage system underneath the main land area. We will glue a rock (shown) or small driftwood to the cover, to use as a handle to lift the small cover, in case we need to see underneath, or assist in drainage. We have a drain tube that we made from 1/2" PVC ("L" shape with holes drilled and slots, cemented together and placed directly on the bottom. There will be a dedicated Wet/Dry Vac connected to the plumbing out of this drain PVC, so we just hit a switch or put it on a timer, to drain this section of any substantial amount of water.

The next step is the weed barrier fabric that we have cut for this area. Once that is done, we can start installing the faux rock and mud wall, the faux ancient ruin waterfall and plumbing, the shallow stream and plumbing, the front aquarium/paludarium shoreline.

Our vlog channel will have one ot two more supply vids being downloaded next, and then we will go into the build vlog.
We are getting closer to adding substrates with our in-house ABG Mix(we may have a giveaway for some of it). Then plants, water, flora and fauna, as well as the fog, MistKing ADVANCED Misting System, more lighting, ventilation and heat, etc

Make sure to subscribe to our blog ( http://www.therainforestexhibit.com ) and check out our vlog ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtn...HuClgb5HVUaAAQ ) to keep up to date with our build and any giveaways we hold!

Cool! I'm looking forward to seeing your build!

Did you checkout either species of roach that I shared with you from my last comment?

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[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Just posted a New Vlog on our YouTube Channel!
We unbox some of the supplies we received from Acadian Supply. They provide sustainable fernwood, sphagnum moss, orchid bark from New Zealand!

https://youtu.be/mTGF5BeDyxU

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Started applying the Fernwood Panels from our supplier and sponsor Acadian Supply, LLC, These are created using only sustainable methods by the company http://www.fernnwoodnz.com
We are getting very close to adding "OUR" ABG Mix, running the streams and waterfalls, heaters and ventilation, flora and fauna!!! SO EXCITING!!!

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Just installed the Reverse Osmosis System and began filling up gallon water jugs!

Exciting!!!

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Milestone!!! Just tested the Waterfall and the Stream! Both of these pour into a river/shoreline paludarium. I can admit NOW something stupid I did that I do not recommend and I will never do again:
I built the waterfall and stream, sealed it, plumbed it, attached everything even some hardscape WITHOUT testing it first! I am thrilled to say, it works as expected with no leaks. I did pour a cup of water in it when I was carving it, but that was risky.
I have learned my lesson, even though it worked like expected, but the fear the night before snapped me into the realization to LIMIT RISK if there is no need for it. I believe IN risk, but it isn't always necessary.

Here is the video of the test...




Also, here is a montage pic of the ruins and faux rocks that are place in the Rivver/Shoreline Paludarium. The one long ruin is done with an effect, it is half that size.

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

I started to speed up my forward motion to get The Rainforest Exhibit built sooner than later! So I mixed up my sustainable ABG MIX made with New Zealand products from Acadian Supply LLC, FernwoodNZ, BesGrow, Qrchiata.
Also added Springtails from Josh's Frogs.

After I fixed some egress issues, I started to attach some of my bromeliads from www.bromeliad.com to the Driftwood provided by Etsy Store, www.etsy.com/LifeIsBeautifullUniq
Many of these stores/companies provided their products for our exhibit, and we are tremendously thankful!

Here are some pics of The Rainforest Exhibit as of 4/26/2019...

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Just received some cool news today...
www.tropica.com just confirmed that they will start shipping out all of the aquatic plants that they are giving us for The Rainforest Exhibit!
We had discussed how we want to use their moss on the driftwood, fax ruins, rock/mudwalls, etc. so they are sending us enough to use it in and out of the water!

They are also sending us many aquatic plants for the aquarium section of our paludarium (I hope what I wrote makes sense).

I will post pics as soon as all the plants arrive!

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Almost Done!!!

Just added some fish...
Serpae Tetra x 3
Rosy Tetra x 3
Albino Cory Catfish x 1

Frogs coming soon!!!

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Quick video overview! More details coming...

https://www.facebook.com/therainfore...dmin_todo_tour

[The Rainforest Exhibit]

Here are a few more pictures of The Rainforest Exhibit!

On the 5th picture, if you look closely, you will see a Faux Ancient Artifact Jewel and Jade Skull! This can ONLY be seen if you are standing in a certain spot and ONLY through a mirror that is installed in The Rainforest Exhibit!
It cannot be seen UNLESS looking through the mirror! Just some fun (hidden objects, hidden meaning artwork, etc.) that I like to add to all my vivariums, artwork, etc.

We have a lot more pics and videos coming your way...
I need all my friends to help spread the word about our YouTube Vlog, subscribe, and hit the Bell icon when you're there!

@customaquariums @junglehobbies @rainforesttrust @tropicaaquariumplants
@valiantentertainment @dunausa @tedsfishroom @corafoam_hdusigns
#customaquariums #vivariums #mistking #rainforesttrust #tropica#dunausa #vivariumworks #paludarium #poisondartfrogs#valiantentertainment #dendrobatids
#tedsfishroom @solidgoldaquatics


#lifeisbeautifulluniqdriftwood
and
Etsy https://etsy.me/2El9dA0
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LifeIsBeautifullUniq

Our Vlog Channel...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnSqKjNlHuClgb5HVUaAAQ