12x12x12 Mini Viv Build

[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.

[spankyg]

Don, you're amazing

[DonLisk]

A quick note:
To all that don't know this... if you right click a photo and select "Open in new tab" or "Open in a new window" you can see the full size image.

[bshmerlie]

A quick note:
To all that don't know this... if you right click a photo and select "Open in new tab" or "Open in a new window" you can see the full size image.

Thanks from all those not so computer savy people.

[DonLisk]

No Will Power:
Well, as you can see, I had no control of the remote for the TV tonight and lost all my will power to hold off on planting the viv.

To enter the plants into the top section of the background, I basicly split each Baby Tear into three separate pieces. I then rinsed each plants leaves and stems prior to putting the root system into the jiffy pots.

I used a small amount of the original potting soil and placed the roots deep into each pot, then covered and filled each pot with the left over Zilla Jungle Mix I had.

Next, I rearranged some of the vines and then pruned to give the roots some extra help.
I then placed the Schefflera Hawaiian Volcano Plant into the bottom and secured it with a small amount of Gorilla Glue. This definitely needed pruning since it was very tall. I will keep it pruned back to keep it more like a Bonsai Tree.

I then placed in some broken blue glass (which I will need more of) to create a blue lagoon water effect. I filled the bottom with 1/2 inch of water since the Schefflera will obtain the water through the lava rock.

Below is the finished product and I hope you all enjoy the pics.

[DonLisk]

Please note that there are no plans to enter frogs into this build.

Broken glass is not for any inhabitant.

It is recommended that you not use Schefflera Volcano plants with your frogs since the sap will harm them, and I can attest to the citronella type scent this plant will produce when you prune it.

Wear rubber gloves and have plenty on hand when working with Great Stuff and Silicone.

And finally, don't get frustrated since you can almost always correct a mistake or clean up an accident, its supposed to be fun.

[Ebony]

Wow!!! Don that's is absolutely fantastic. I think the broken blue glass has an amazing effect as well.