12x12x12 Mini Viv Build

[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

[Leefrogs]

Thats not a volcano, but an umbrella plant. , up to u but I'd google info on that. It's a shefferella, sap is poisonus, break a leaf and wipe it on your lips, it will numb your mouth for days. It will be strong like a citronella, but stronger, it'll smell like a noxious gas. I've seen them used in vivs, but it almost killed my frog. Eventaully the whole viv will fill with the smell. I would only suggest larger varieties in a huge viv.

It's pretty though. Darts may not have same reaction whites do. But do be carefull,

[DonLisk]

This viv is way to small for any frog I feel, its more a learning experience, so its going to only be planted and in the living room for display. With the sides filled in with stone, much of the interior will be taken up.

Yes, its a Schefflera Hawaiian Volcano Plant, I just trimmed it all back to Bonsai it. If I was younger I'd run down and try a leaf ;-) I can see my wife now telling me she should have figured while I sit there with numb lips.

If I could have afforded another 18x18x24 I would have went with a tropical Bonsai.
Was also thinking Ficus since they had a few that were shorter and had good stocky trunks.

[Leefrogs]

oh, ok

[DonLisk]

A Quick Clean Up:

Once the foam and stones had cured in place,I needed to get ready for planting the hanging vines and background plants.

I do a quick cleanup and detailing. I give the whole viv a complete hose down. I don't over do the preasure since I don't want to dislodge anything still curing, but I do try to wash off loose materials and dust created from applying the background substrate.

I then removed any silicone that had been accidently been spread on the glass, and I trimmed out edges around the background to give it a sharp clean look.

Next, I cleaned out the bottom and removed the water and dirt that came from the background. After that was a complete cleaning of all glass.

Now I will let the viv sit, under lighting, to help finish up curing and dry out some of the viv before I get into planting.

Normally I would be moving on to substrate and drainage. but since I won't be planting the bottom, I will get my plants for the background into place.

Here are a few pics from tonight after the clean up.