My terrarium building process explained

[Isaac]

Hi,

i have a terrarium with the sizes: 100cm x 100cm x 40cm (400l so 105gallon)
i have it already verry long and i want to make it perfect!
first i have removed the doors so its really easy to build on the inside...
first of all i did was collecting package foam (expanded polystyreen) and then i bought a big piece of it for the rear side of it to make the build more easy.

then i started to cut the pieces of foam and just begun to put them on the rear plate and pin them together with nails, peices of electical wire, and so on, for al song it can hold a bit force and it does not fall appart its ok!

then i went to a store where they could sell mortar fixative (glue for tile's like concrete) and if its white you and want another colour you can add concrete colour to make it more your style.
--if you chose a specific colour always add it to every layer you make on the foam!--
the best way to put the glue on the foam is to brush it on there with a verry old brush (beacouse after every layer you can trow it away!)
you have to make every layer so thin as possible becouse otherwise there will come some cracks in when its drying.
also check before you place a new layer that the prevous layer is dry for sure!

after a few layers (5-8) you can push hard on the glue and it wont break!
for cleaning the background you can even do it with sandpaper (only when there are enough layers)

further i am making it with 2 ventilation points 1 at the front beneath the doors and 1 on top of the terrarium with verry fine wire mesh.

for so far is this what i have done with the tank...
(photo's can be found in my first album)
and sorry for the english...

[Isaac]

here are some pictures, the first is one of the first layers, the second one is a drying layer and the last one is one of the last layers...

[bshmerlie]

To add pictures :
When you post something you will see a little paperclip on the same line where it says fonts and sizes. Just to the right of that.

[Leefrogs]

cool. Keep going, can't wait to see everything u do.


Your English a fine!

[Grrrit]

Wow, I dig this. It looks like its a zoo display. I'm Really interested in seeing the final product.

[Isaac]

Wow, I dig this. It looks like its a zoo display. I'm Really interested in seeing the final product.

well, trust me for me the same...

[Isaac]

i would like to know that peat fibre would be a good ground to grow moss on it and when yes, wich moss will grow the best on it?

[MikeM670]

Use the compacted coco fiber you find in the compressed bricks for the substrate then use a mix called ABG, Atlanta Botanical Gardens mix on top for the plants. You can do a search for it here on the forums or on the net. I purchase mine in pre-made bags from Josh Frogs but I see your overseas. I'm sure you can find the materials needed or a internet option that is closer to you.

[Isaac]

i did it with a product that has no editing process, i dont know the exact english name but in dutch its called: turf...
i made it a bit sticky until its a paste with some compactuna.
then u rubbed it with my hands on the background until the paste sticks on it.
when i did the pieces i wanted i begun rubbing some ''turf'' on it until it has a layer without glue...

[MikeM670]

Looking at your pictures I suspect the turf material you have applied might be a bit thin. Can you apply the material a bit thicker to allow moss to get a faster chance to take hold. I know moss will grow on anything if the conditions are right but I suspect it would do better on a thicker surface. Also being thicker it would hold more moister, that helps with the plants and keeps the humidity higher longer between misting.

In the two builds I made with peat most covering the background I obtained different thicknesses. On the 55 gallon I did I used Gorilla Glue over foam with peat moss and it holds great, bit harder surface and seems thinner then the one I did with silicone. That one I applied a heavy coat of brown silicone over foam and packed handfuls of peat into it. Once the silicone had dried I brushed and vacuumed off the excess. The remaining peat surface felt softer and thicker.

In any case don't give up as each time we build one we learn a great deal.

[Isaac]

ill buy some more compactuna and ill paste it right on the other paste and then push the turf on it!

[Isaac]

eventually i did it with some wood glue that is water resitant,and now it looks like this:

[Leefrogs]

I beleive on josh's or on black jungle's website they said what moss grows best based on location and conditions. I would find a link for you if I wasn't on a **** iPhone. Sorry.

[Isaac]

could you please add the links, it doesnt matter if you do it today or tomorrow!

[MikeM670]

could you please add the links, it doesnt matter if you do it today or tomorrow!

Here is the website for Josh Frogs

http://www.joshsfrogs.com/

But you can find the link about moss on the left side of the webpage under "Support our Sponsors"

[Isaac]

Here is the website for Josh Frogs

http://www.joshsfrogs.com/

But you can find the link about moss on the left side of the webpage under "Support our Sponsors"

sorry, no "support our sponsors" link found or the moss link...

[Isaac]

update!

i am now working at the doors and glueing the rails for the doors in the terrarium
further i made the top of my terrarium unescapable and unburnable by placing alluminium mosquito net at the top and reinforced it with a larger net of inox wire..

this evening there will arrive 2 spiecies of moss in a quite large quantity...
there will be spaghnum moss and there will be pillow moss (although i hope it is the wright moss)
i will use it for decorating the tank and i also hope they will both keep it up in the tank...

btw, photo's will come in time!

[Isaac]

i have just glued the perforated alluminium to the terrarium and i am now waiting

before i did the alluminium i did a heat test for the terrarium hood it was 30-35°C with 200 watts of lighting running and with the ventilator running...
it is a ventilator normally used for cooling electicity distributors in factory's...

further is my spaghnum moss arrived and my (hopefully) pillow moss...
i hope you guy's can help me with telling what kind of moss this is...

[Isaac]

and this is the finished product for so far...

of course there will be some more plants in the terrarium and so on only small changes...

[larry b]

Good display.