New Exo Terra Prep Steps

[terris]

I finally brought my first Exo Terra 18 square home. I thought I would feel further along but I already have questions.

The top is screen. Should I get 1/4" glass cut to fit inside the 2 panels on top of the screen or remove the screen and use aquarium sealant to glue the glass pieces in?

Will the lights in the hood be able to penetrate the glass to provide the type of light needed for the plants?

Do you seal the inside of these terrariums with aquarium seal or are they already water proof enough?

Finally, if I decide to buy the Zoo Med cork bark background, does that get glued using aquarium sealant too?

Thanks for your patience and sharing your smarts.

[Tony]

I finally brought my first Exo Terra 18 square home. I thought I would feel further along but I already have questions.

The top is screen. Should I get 1/4" glass cut to fit inside the 2 panels on top of the screen or remove the screen and use aquarium sealant to glue the glass pieces in?

That depends on what kind of frogs you plan to keep in it, but if you do replace the screen with glass I would use double strength (1/8"), 1/4" is overkill.

Will the lights in the hood be able to penetrate the glass to provide the type of light needed for the plants?

Yes, plants do not need UVB light so glass does not interfere with the light that they require.

Do you seal the inside of these terrariums with aquarium seal or are they already water proof enough?

They are usually waterproof, but sometimes you will get a leaker. The best way to find out is to set it in your bathtub and fill it up, if it leaks then scrape out the original silicone and re-seal it.

Finally, if I decide to buy the Zoo Med cork bark background, does that get glued using aquarium sealant too?

You can use aquarium sealant, gorilla glue is another option that has worked well for me.

[bshmerlie]

First it would help to know what kind of frogs you will be putting in the tank. Some frogs need more ventilation than others and covering up the screen would not be a good idea. Dart frogs need extremely high humidity which you would probably not be able to maintain with a sceen lid. Either way you can leave the screen lid in place and cut pieces of glass to fit into the slot depending on what your frogs needs are. I have two Exo Terras and both of them are water proof at the base and it should be considered a defect if it leaks and I would exchange it. Of course it is always best to check with water before you do you build to make sure it doesn't have a leak before you get started. I do this when I first wash out the tank before use. I would silicone the background to the back glass just to make sure there is no way the frogs can get behind it. Any silicone that is 100% silicone will work. You don't have to buy the expensive stuff at the petstore. The glass and the screen do cut down on the effenciency of the light but I personally have never had it be an issue with plant growth. But I guess that would depend on how sensative the plants are that you've chosen to use. I think that covered your questions. What kind of frogs are you putting in there?

[terris]

First it would help to know what kind of frogs you will be putting in the tank. Some frogs need more ventilation than others and covering up the screen would not be a good idea. Dart frogs need extremely high humidity which you would probably not be able to maintain with a sceen lid. Either way you can leave the screen lid in place and cut pieces of glass to fit into the slot depending on what your frogs needs are. I have two Exo Terras and both of them are water proof at the base and it should be considered a defect if it leaks and I would exchange it. Of course it is always best to check with water before you do you build to make sure it doesn't have a leak before you get started. I do this when I first wash out the tank before use. I would silicone the background to the back glass just to make sure there is no way the frogs can get behind it. Any silicone that is 100% silicone will work. You don't have to buy the expensive stuff at the petstore. The glass and the screen do cut down on the effenciency of the light but I personally have never had it be an issue with plant growth. But I guess that would depend on how sensative the plants are that you've chosen to use. I think that covered your questions. What kind of frogs are you putting in there?

I'm always amazed at the knowledge base here. Thanks once more. Now I can get that part out of the way and start working on the fun stuff.

I am putting darts in but not sure what yet. Probably imitators if my new buddy Phil has any. I have 8 tanks to do after this one which will have tincts and leucs to start but since this one will be my show tank in the living room, I'm nervous about screwing it up. Probably the safest thing would be to buy a cork bark background and use a lot of the stuff at black jungle. But I can't wait t make my own backgrounds with Great Stuff, branches, cork slabs and coconut coir. Where do you get the film canisters for thumbs anyway? Is it mandatory? Everyone I know uses digital cameras.

[terris]

[QUOTE=Tony;44470]That depends on what kind of frogs you plan to keep in it, but if you do replace the screen with glass I would use double strength (1/8"), 1/4" is overkill.

Thanks for all of the good advice, Tony. 1/8" glass it is. If I can get this at Lowe's I might be able to cut it myself (I think I have one of those glass cutting kits around here someplace). But how do you seam the edges to get them smooth?

[bshmerlie]

The Lowes near me cuts the glass for free. Use a piece of card board and cut it to the exact snug size your looking for and then take that cardboard into Lowes. Lowes sells the 1/8 glass and if you ask they will use a file to smooth off the edge for you after they cut it.

[bshmerlie]

Check out JoshsFrogs.com for the film canisters. They also come with the suction cup. They are used for the frogs to deposit the tad poles in when they start to breed for you. As far as I understand it some darts prefer the black canisters and some prefer the white canisters. Joshs breeds their own darts and they could probably tell you which color canister to use depending on which dart you pick.

[terris]

Check out JoshsFrogs.com for the film canisters. They also come with the suction cup. They are used for the frogs to deposit the tad poles in when they start to breed for you. As far as I understand it some darts prefer the black canisters and some prefer the white canisters. Joshs breeds their own darts and they could probably tell you which color canister to use depending on which dart you pick.

Wow, that's amazing. Color preference. Thanks for the tip and also the mention of the suction cup. I would have been wondering how to glue them up next.

[bshmerlie]

Wow, that's amazing. Color preference. Thanks for the tip and also the mention of the suction cup. I would have been wondering how to glue them up next.

LOL .... I just heard about color preferences a couple of days ago... who would have guessed? Why would the frogs care? Yeah and I'm sure the manufacturer of film canisters was thrilled that Dart Froggers still have a need for them.

[terris]

LOL .... I just heard about color preferences a couple of days ago... who would have guessed? Why would the frogs care? Yeah and I'm sure the manufacturer of film canisters was thrilled that Dart Froggers still have a need for them.

Seriously.... There is probably one company making film canisters now. I'll do my best to contribute to the company's success. Thanks again.