Custom Vivarium Build Log

[VicSkimmr]

Ok, so a few months ago I decided that I was through with saltwater reef tanks and I wanted to get back into keeping poison frogs. I've been in the planning stages for months trying to figure out the best way to create a large display enclosure, but in the mean time I decided to try out my techniques on a small scale first.

So, I decided to build an 18x18x24 vivarium. This one is actually built out of 3/32" glass, but if I were to do it over again I would build it out of 1/8" glass to make measurements easier. Feel free to ask any questions about the techniques used

Day 1
The bottom, back and both sides are in place. Painters tape was used to hold the pieces in place.

WIP - Day 1 by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Day 2
The "frame" for the front is in place

WIP - Day 2 by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Day 3
I let the tank cure for 24 hours and then water tested it for leaks

WIP - Day 3 by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Day 4
I siliconed the aluminum rail in place to support the door

WIP - Day 4 by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Then the door is test fitted and secured with 4 1/2" x 1/8" rare earth magnets. The magnets are placed so that one is inside the vivarium and one is outside the door, so it is glass on glass in between, essentially fly proofing the door setup

WIP - Day 4 by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Closeup

WIP - Day 4 by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Day 5
I had to wait for a 1/2" diamond hole saw bit to come in to finish the top, so I started on the false bottom construction first.

WIP - Day 5 by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Day 6
Top glass pieces installed and misting nozzles in place

WIP - Day 6 by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Day 6
Installing the mesh screen. I went through 2 versions of this and aren't happy with either. The first isn't fruit fly proof

Ventilation Closeup by jasonwithers, on Flickr

And the second is too difficult to work with, and as such is too messy

Ventilation Screen Installation by jasonwithers, on Flickr

More to come after lunch...

[clownonfire]

Jason, what a great process so far. And nice looking place!

MikeM670 and DonLisk I think you will both enjoy this.

eric

[Kisa]

Wow that is a great viv build. Looks amazing and completely professional. Great work.

Can you explain more fully about the magnets to hold the door? Is this just temporary or do you plan on using magnets long term, and how does it work? This is so interesting. I will probably be modifying a 10 and 30 gallon tank later on and the door seems like the hardest part.

[VicSkimmr]

Thanks!

I'll try to take a better picture of the magnets and how they work tonight. They basically hold the door in place. The magnets aren't so strong that they'll break the glass, but they're strong enough to hold it in place through both pieces of glass and they let go easily if you go to take the door off.

I was originally planning on going through Protean terrariums but I decided that I didn't like a couple of things about the sliding door design. 1: I don't like the plastic border around the doors that are needed to make it frog proof, 2: I don't like that you can only have access to half of the viv at a time, and 3: I don't like that you have to make such a ruckus to open the viv, which disturbs the frogs.

I wanted something that was as seamless as possible. I can't take credit for the design though, Tropical Ecos use magnets for their doors as well, but they don't ship so they weren't an option for me.

[VicSkimmr]

So here it is in its final resting place

Living Room / Kitchen by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Background in place. It's ecoweb, which turns out to be a giant brillo pad

Background in place by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Here's how I plumbed the misting system

Pump and Reservoir by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Which fits nicely into this basket

The reservoir hidden in its basket by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Which then fits into the bookshelf. The light fits on top of all the plumbing up top, but it looks like this underneath

Closeup of the hidden misting set up by jasonwithers, on Flickr

I slightly modified the light fixture (it's an exo terra 18" fixture) so the tubing could run under it

Light modification by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Wood secured

Securing wood by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Substrate in place (ABG Mix)

Substrate Added by jasonwithers, on Flickr

[VicSkimmr]

Annndddddd plants. This is where it currently sits

Initial planting

Initial Planting by jasonwithers, on Flickr


Initial Planting by jasonwithers, on Flickr


Initial Planting by jasonwithers, on Flickr

Water area substrate and plants. This is actually going to be a dry river bed that I'll flood periodically to coincide with the rainy (breeding) season. At least that's the plan

Water Area Planted by jasonwithers, on Flickr


Water Area Planted by jasonwithers, on Flickr


Water area planted by jasonwithers, on Flickr

It has since been covered mostly in leaf litter. I've got ferns coming in soon so I'll update at that point

A couple of closeups of bromeliads

Bromeliad Closeup by jasonwithers, on Flickr


Bromeliad Closeup by jasonwithers, on Flickr