12x12x12 Mini Viv Build

[bshmerlie]

Just an addition for anyone reading this and trying the GS option. The soil you pack on must be completely dry. If the soil is damp it does not sick to the silicone very well.

[DonLisk]

Just an addition for anyone reading this and trying the GS option. The soil you pack on must be completely dry. If the soil is damp it does not sick to the silicone very well.

Very true...... but it will stick to you rubber gloves and make it impossible to pick more up :-)

[bshmerlie]

Don this is a great thread and your project looks fantastic.

[Ebony]

I agree with Cheri..A great thread Don.

[DonLisk]

Thanks Everyone :-)

I got out to the greenhouse today to decide on the plants. Ended up picking out two different Baby Tears and a volcano plant.

The volcano plant can be trimmed back to keep as a bonsai and since it is already set rooted to the lava,, I can put that directly in. It also has some moss in the lava but not sure if that will grow or is more ornamental.

Updates soon.

[lraulston]

I am enjoying this thread, keep us updated!

[MikeM670]

Alright Don,

I think I have your idea visualized in my head! Really cool idea for the smaller variety of tree frogs. I just finished the mossy and you have me eying that 40 gallon breeder now!

I like your background mix. I just used plain peat moss for the last build but yours give a nicer texture and adds character to it. Plus with all the larger pieces I can see where vines can get a better grip on the backgrounds and provide better support for the frogs.

[DonLisk]

What to do with outer walls:
I wanted this to seem as though it was enclosed, so I had to come up with a way to fill in around the lower back and two sides.

Well, Great Stuff comes to the rescue here. Great Stuff is designed to fill cracks, waterproof, and adhere to anything its in contact with. I sprayed some foam on the glass and placed stones in top of the foam and then pressed into the foam.

Great Stuff will expand and create an uneven texture. You can check the expansion now and then (at the beginning of the process) and push in more stone as the foam works its way around the stones while curing.

Once one side has set firmly, approximately 2 hours, you can move on to another side.

You don't have to go crazy with the stones since the foam will blend in.



Below are the plants I plan on using.

Volcano Plant


Two Different Varieties of Baby's Tears