Cork Panels & Vivs

[clownonfire]

While visiting the Azureus breeder Dendrolaval, I noticed that most of his vivs had natural compressed cork panels as background. They were of course covered with ficus and moss, as they were a few years old. Olivier told me he preferred using cork to any other medium as it was excellent for humidity. He admitted that it took a while before it looked pretty, but by the look of his enclosures, it was worth the wait.

As anyone tried or is using cork panels in their dart frogs vivariums? I will be investing in a 50 gallon tank next week, and I think this one will be corked... Simply to try something different than clay and foam/silicone.

Eric

[MikeM670]

Eric,

I looked at one of those premade cork backgrounds the other day. It was the wrong size for my Zoo Med 1818x24 unit so did not get one. It looks ok and I can see that it would take some time to get the natural mossy look on one. Maybe by mixing up one of those moss mixtures and applying it to the background would speed things up. But you can't beat the natural look once they are established.

The other issue was they seem expensive and it might set you back a pretty penny to cover a rear wall.

[clownonfire]

Eric,

I looked at one of those premade cork backgrounds the other day. It was the wrong size for my Zoo Med 1818x24 unit so did not get one. It looks ok and I can see that it would take some time to get the natural mossy look on one. Maybe by mixing up one of those moss mixtures and applying it to the background would speed things up. But you can't beat the natural look once they are established.

The other issue was they seem expensive and it might set you back a pretty penny to cover a rear wall.

They are expensive, but like most things for frogs you find in a pet shop, you can find the equivalent at a much lower price at your local hardware store. I have found naturally compressed cork panels, glued together with a food glue which is not toxic, for a fraction of the price... And I'm tempted.

[MikeM670]

They are expensive, but like most things for frogs you find in a pet shop, you can find the equivalent at a much lower price at your local hardware store. I have found naturally compressed cork panels, glued together with a food glue which is not toxic, for a fraction of the price... And I'm tempted.

I'm going to go to ACE Hardware tomorrow I'll look around and see what they have. Tho its too late for my new build. I already have the foam in place and have begun cutting out sections for the water feature. I'm going for a tiered look with very wet locations on each level for a nice covering of moss. Then flow off the background and into a small pond in one corner.

[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.