Custom Vivarium Build Log

[DonLisk]

I've seen wood in tanks for almost 20 years that have not been replaced and still going strong. I always wondered why it didn't just rot away.

I'm sure some wood will have to be replaced over time due to rot and I guess thats when you just have to do some maintenance and change the look.

[VicSkimmr]

Some kinds of wood holds up to humidity better than others. I used Malaysian driftwood, which is supposed to be pretty resistant. They use it submerged for freshwater aquariums so it should do ok

[itzjezze]

So I have a question since im still learning about darts... is circulation required?...

[VicSkimmr]

Definitely not, this is the first time I've tried it. It most definitely helps the plants and it probably has some benefits for the frogs too, but it definitely isn't required.

[smashtoad]

This tank is sweet, but going to all this trouble to make such a great display enclosure and then using a tree fern background is like re-building a Hemi Cuda and buying the new rims at Walmart. Your landscaping eye is awesome...really beautiful. I just can't get past the background...too flat and uniform. Doesn't do justice to your obvious ability and eye for natural form.

[VicSkimmr]

In sticking with the "euro" theme I thought it was appropriate. Clay backgrounds look great but I'm not convinced that they'll stay in place long term (or rather, that I could build one that would stay in place). Since this tank is meant for testing all of the features I'll be using in the big tank I wanted to go with something simple for the background.

All of my favorite European tanks use either tree fern panels or an equivalent, and they look awesome when grown in, so I'm not too worried about it

[smashtoad]

Makes sense...gotcha. Patience is a virtue. I made a great stuff and coco background for mine, looks great, but man was it a pain to do. It has long since grown over for the most part. I'm with you on the clay...hard to believe it will stay long term...but some say they will if you keep it humid.

But again...freakin stunning landscaping, man.

[VicSkimmr]

Thanks! I've used great stuff in the past but it never held up well enough for me, and the plants didn't really like to root in it. We'll see how this ecoweb stuff does