Cork Panels & Vivs

[clownonfire]

You are definitely the one I look up too esthetically when it comes to vivs. Next one, I am going for practicality and a long-term moss process.

[MikeM670]

Thanks...but I don't think I'm that good. I really like Don's last 20 gallon build. Looks great.

The build I'm working on now will have lots of moss. Well That is the look I'm going for.

[clownonfire]

Thanks...but I don't think I'm that good. I really like Don's last 20 gallon build. Looks great.

The build I'm working on now will have lots of moss. Well That is the look I'm going for.

You and Don really have your s*h*t together when it comes to aesthetics, that's for sure.

E.

[DonLisk]

Mike, ever work in landscaping? Thanks for the compliments but I'm nothing like the ones I see and dream of creating.

SO, heres my thought... a Lego cottage in a woods setting (Ficus as the trees), centered on a small island (foam and substrate), with water around the outside edge (probably a 18x18x24 Exo)..... and planted inside the lego cottage with moss to look vacant but enough open window and door space to allow the darts to travel through. hmmmm. Foaming and siliconing the top three to four inches on the sides and back to create a place to plant fig and other foliage that could hang down in, so the cottage is in a sort of cavern. Oh its bad, and I must sleep at night dreaming of these things.
Think I'm a little overboard?


Now, I have to say. I envy many I see here and yours too looks awesome Eric. Wait til the plants grow in and some of that creeping fig has taken hold on the new build.

[MikeM670]

Mike, ever work in landscaping? Thanks for the compliments but I'm nothing like the ones I see and dream of creating.

SO, heres my thought... a Lego cottage in a woods setting (Ficus as the trees), centered on a small island (foam and substrate), with water around the outside edge (probably a 18x18x24 Exo)..... and planted inside the lego cottage with moss to look vacant but enough open window and door space to allow the darts to travel through. hmmmm. Foaming and siliconing the top three to four inches on the sides and back to create a place to plant fig and other foliage that could hang down in, so the cottage is in a sort of cavern. Oh its bad, and I must sleep at night dreaming of these things.
Think I'm a little overboard?


Now, I have to say. I envy many I see here and yours too looks awesome Eric. Wait til the plants grow in and some of that creeping fig has taken hold on the new build.

I read this thread while in a hurry and could not find it again!

No never worked in landscaping but do like working in the yard. If your looking to do something whimsical then that would be funny. You might also be able to find some ceramic house to fit that bill that might be a bit more in character with a nice mossy setting.

I don't think any viv will really look it's best or reach its potential for sometime after being initially setup. That is when the true potential of the Vivarian Artist! ( hahaha just made that phrase up!) will show. There are so many ways to go. You can have a very heavily planted viv or a sparse one that ends up with a beautifully green carpet of moss. Both will look fantastic and have a completely different look.

[DonLisk]

Thanks...but I don't think I'm that good. I really like Don's last 20 gallon build. Looks great.

The build I'm working on now will have lots of moss. Well That is the look I'm going for.

Speaking of moss, keep us up to date on how your new moss from Josh is doing. Looks nice how you put it in. The sheet moss in my Red Eyes Viv has never grown but hasn't died off either. Probably not enough light?

[clownonfire]

On a similar topic

I've read on Canadart.org that using Titebond III mixed with coconut husk is better than with silicone II. Has anyone tried it, or heard about it?

Eric

[DonLisk]

I haven't heard of this but it sounds interesting. How did you like working with the clay? I'm all for trying anything that doesn't smell like silicone I :-)

[MikeM670]

On a similar topic

I've read on Canadart.org that using Titebond III mixed with coconut husk is better than with silicone II. Has anyone tried it, or heard about it?

Eric

I used gorrilla glue or black pond foam in the 55 Gallon Build. It has its good and bad points. For my new build I'm going to use brown GE Silicone II over the yellow foam.
The standard yellow construction foam is half the price of the pond foam but the silicone cost a lot too.

[clownonfire]

Clay was fun to work with, but like Cheri said, it was a real hassle drying out. It's half dried half wet because of the watering... I don't know how it will turn out... Push comes to shove, it's all natural... I just hope the frogs don't get messy.

[DonLisk]

I still like the great stuff and Tetra Waterfall foams since I can carve it and shape things after its all dried. The silicone is the only bad part due to smell.

The gorilla glue is also not bad to use as long as you let it expand before adding the substrate over it.

I see many people using clay and wondered about its long term stability. I haven't heard of anyone having issues once it sets though.

[bshmerlie]

Clay was fun to work with, but like Cheri said, it was a real hassle drying out. It's half dried half wet because of the watering... I don't know how it will turn out... Push comes to shove, it's all natural... I just hope the frogs don't get messy.

I agree wont the frogs walk on it and get messy? The wet clay sticks to your skin. Thats why I mashed in moss and coco fiber over it last time but then it looks too much like GS. Im going to be doing my moss study on my recent clay setup for awhile so that gives you time to solve this dilema Eric. I expect a full report when you figure it out.

[MikeM670]

Speaking of moss, keep us up to date on how your new moss from Josh is doing. Looks nice how you put it in. The sheet moss in my Red Eyes Viv has never grown but hasn't died off either. Probably not enough light?

I would think it probably has enough light to stay alive but not enough to spread. Also does moss need more moister to thrive and spread. You might not of obtained the optimal crowning conditions for fast growth.

My next viv will have moss as it's main theme. We shall see how it goes.