Some new builds

[MikeM670]

I have completed my latest couple of Vivarium Builds. One is a 40 Gallon Vertical using aaafrogs Door Kit and a 40 Gallon Breeder purchased from Petco during their dollar a gallon sale.

The basic build is Great Stuff Foam applied to the back and right side of the tank. Peat Pots were used for plant spots and the foam was covered with peat moss. The remaining open spots on the background were covered with Kitty Litter or the clay method. The substrate consist of clay balls for the water level. That is covered by landscaping fabric and then coco fiber and the ABG Mix. Plants were purchased locally, Black Jungle and from Bromeliads n Such. Current Lighting is the Exo Terra Dual spiral compact lighting hood.




The other two vivariums are 10 Gallon Vertical Builds with aaafrog door kits. Both use the clay background method, clay balls for the substrate and coco fiber and AGB mix. I made the vines from rope which was covered with brown silicone and peat moss. I then sprinkled a moss milkshake mix over the AGB mix too see if I can get a nice moss carpet. The 10 gallon verticals were very simple and quick to build.



Hope you enjoy viewing them.

[Leefrogs]

nice. What are you planning to put in there? I think I like the 40 the best

[MikeM670]

I really do like the 40 vert. In person it really is quite stunning. Not sure what I will put in there. I really want a group of frogs for it. The 10's will just have pairs of some type. I'm pretty open to suggestions right now.

[UncleChester]

The larger one is impressive but I do like side by side matching tanks too. Neat idea on the small vines to add some texture to the branches.

[MikeM670]

The larger one is impressive but I do like side by side matching tanks too. Neat idea on the small vines to add some texture to the branches.

Thanks!

I do like the idea of the 10 gallon side by sides. Eventually I plan on having set of 4 or 5 on a shelf for pairs of darts. The other option is to go with vertical rows of 29's as that should allow for dart groups so they don't get lost in a much larger vivarium like my Dendrobates Lamasi 'Orange' do. They are housed in my mossy 18x18x24 build.

The large vines are braided Sisal rope covered in brown GE II Silicone and covered with peat moss and coco fiber. I then wrapped a silicone/peat and coco fiber covered twine and or smaller sisal rope around the main branch. This was just for practice on a much larger vine project I might do.

[clownonfire]

As always, Mike. Impressive. Kudos, dude.

[Kisa]

Great builds Mike, these are amazing! I can't wait to see what you put inside!

[DonLisk]

Mike, just more amazing builds. Nice work.

we'll have to think of some good suggestions for you ;-)

[MikeM670]

I'm open to suggestions for them. I won't break up the group of Dendrobates Lamasi 'Orange'. They may end up in the 40 vertical but still looking for options to replace them in the mossy and the two 10 verticals.

[Froggiestyle]

They look very nice mike, nice work and keep it up love to see all these viv builds from varies people.

my question is i got a 80 gallon tank custom made up to house australian giant tree frogs also known as White lipped tree frogs which they grow up to 15 cm in length so i need this type of tank, anyways back to the question i am thinking of making the same type of background as what you have there with the plants on the back by using foam and moss for the cover layer plus pot holders, but im wondering once you water the tank either spray bottle or system depending on what you have, how do you drain the plants to provent the water sitting in the pot with the plant getting water logged???

help would be appreciated

Thankyou

[MikeM670]

I don't have any drainage holes for the plants. It is probably not a bad idea but I only mist the upper areas to keep the peat moss and clay moist. I really don't water the plants that much as they ABG mix stays pretty damp. If I was to add drainage to the plant pots I think adding some flexible tubing incorporated into the foam or clay or punching a hole into the pot and foam would do the trick.

[Froggiestyle]

yep just what i thought my substrate on this other tank here keeps moist and pretty much the same as what you have just 1 less ingredient and 1 different product.

think im having to get some plants that like humidity and little water as i am going to install a misting system in it, so might think of putting drainage in the pots.

which will lead to the drainage layer at the bottom which my tank has a hole in it so water doesnt build up in it saving my changing it every 2 weeks lol.

[Grrrit]

mike, super cool! A few weeks ago I did a couple 10g verts to go side by side. I was trying to hide the plumbing haha. Again, nice builds. I really like the faux vines too, I'm going to be experimenting on making roots and vines for an upcoming build.