Glue? And my first viv "build".

[DonLisk]

The pics are from this forum of a members viv :-)
One of the nicest vivs I seen for artistic ideas and layout.

Gorilla Glue is awesome and no smell pretty much. Remember is expands three times the size that you squeeze out and don't get it on your hands, it will take some time to get it all off.

You can wipe away excess as it foams out over time (I checked every half hour or so at 1st) and remember to dampen the area you are going to apply the glue to since that is what helps it adhere and activate.

[Kisa]

The pics are from this forum of a members viv :-)
One of the nicest vivs I seen for artistic ideas and layout.

Gorilla Glue is awesome and no smell pretty much. Remember is expands three times the size that you squeeze out and don't get it on your hands, it will take some time to get it all off.

You can wipe away excess as it foams out over time (I checked every half hour or so at 1st) and remember to dampen the area you are going to apply the glue to since that is what helps it adhere and activate.

Yeah I found the member after I posted the pictures and left a comment letting him know that I posted them but didn't take credit or anything.

I went out and got the Gorilla Glue and am testing it on a piece of styrofoam now. If it all works out I should start modifying the background tomorrow. Hopefully it will be ok for the mushrooms too.

Thanks for the pointers Don, sorry I doubted you but my uncle seemed pretty sure that it would melt the foam. From what it looks like now I don't think it will though, I should be in business in no time!

[Kisa]

So I think I'm going to be starting the build tomorrow, here is my list of supplies as of now:

1 Bag of Hydro Balls (Drainage)
1 Block of Plantation Soil (Substrate)
1 1/3 Bag of Fluker's Terrarium Moss
1 Bag of Sea Grape Leaf Litter (Have yet to receive)
1 Foot long driftwood stick
3 Artist Conk Mushrooms
3 Oyster Mushrooms
1 12x18 Exo Terra Rock Styrofoam Background
2 Exo Terra Jungle Plants
1 Exo Terra Jungle Vine
1 Liquid Crystal Thermometer
1 26 watt Exo Terra 5.0 Bulb
1 25 watt Exo Terra Night Glo Bulb
1 Exo Terra Heatwave Rainforest Substrate Heater (Small)
1 Exo Terra Compact Top (Small)

and of course...

1 Exo Terra 12x12x18 Vivarium

I think that's everything...when I look at it in a list like this it looks like so much. >< But what's done is done. XD

I plan on adding whatever live plants I decide on in there, along with another Exo Terra Jungle Vine and a Hygrometer.

Is there anything besides all this stuff that anyone thinks I need? I know it's a long list to go through, but if anyone can think of anything please let me know in a reply.

Thanks!

[Leefrogs]

I would set this mush upside down. It makes a nice flat perch. Still looks cool. I've never used gorilla glue. Always used silicone. Good luck, lots to do!!! Can't wait!!

[DonLisk]

"I think I found a solution to anchoring the stick though, my uncle suggested I use a screw to anchor it to the background and keep it stable, I think this will work but if anyone has any other suggestions I would greatly appreciate the input." Quote

I would keep away from anything such as screws or tie wraps or wire since they could over time rust.
Use a dab or the gorilla glue where you want the branch to stay. Let the gorilla glue foam up for a bit, then put the branch into it. You may need to add a dab or two after it sets but that will eliminate the screw.

As the gorilla glue sets up you can also press substrate into it to make it for appearance. Use cheap rubber gloves.

[Kisa]

Oh that's right Don I didn't think about rust...thanks for the heads up I would've gone straight in and screwed it if you hadn't left this comment. I'll try out the Gorilla Glue on the stick, hopefully it's not too heavy for the glue though...and I didn't want to Glue exposed so I might have to make a cutout for the stick as well, but that should be ok.

Thanks, Don! I'll keep you all updated.

[Kisa]

Just an update on the way the background's going.

Here's me and my friend trying to shove some moss in the spaces between the mushrooms and the styrofoam.


Here's the background after some progress, anchoring the mushrooms with a stick because our arms got tired. XD


And here's the finished product, but sideways. We glued some moss onto the background for a more natural look.


Here's the background from another angle. I'm actually really proud of the way it turned out. I think it looks good for my first customization project.


Sorry these pictures bulk up the page. I got a little overwhelmed and wanted to document everything.

By the way, the leaf litter came in today and I added some to my WTF's viv and will be putting them in my P. Tomopterna's viv as well. I also picked up a golden pothos and small snake plant for live decor and another cool stick and some pebbles to fill out the ground a bit. I'll be taking pictures of the whole thing once I start filling the viv within the next few days so you guys can see what I mean. ^ ^

Quick question: Is it ever too early to set up a viv? I want it to be ready for the frogs but they're not coming in for another week or so and I don't want to set up the viv and have it sit there for a week with them not in it if it's a bad idea. I heard that you can set up vivs a month in advance, is that true? O:

Thanks for checking this out!
Brit