1st Viv Build

[FrogWag]

Frogwag,

Looks good. Nice to see you incorporating the different build techniques with this. Just a hint on the water feature. Make sure it flows where you want it to before final setup. I've run into issues with seepage going to places I did not want that wet. I'd recommend running it to fine tune the flow. I use gorilla glue to alter any location I need to adjust the water flow. When it hardens you can cut it with a sharp knife and cover the hard glue with silicone and peat or coconut fiber.

Question: Can the water run through areas that have the peat/coconut fiber? My understanding was that you want to try and keep the running water away from those areas.

My plan was to make the water only run over and across areas that have aquarium rock, and to have the peat/coconut fiber areas get misted by the mister, but not have running water touching them. Thoughts??

[MikeM670]

You don't want the coco fiber soaked and sitting in water. It will breakdown much faster this way. You want it moist but not overly wet. Water running over rocks, pebbles or clay is fine.
If you use aquarium rock make sure it is larger then the frogs can swallow by accident.

To be honest building water features takes trial and error. I know as my first vivarium was taken apart due to the water soaking the coco fiber way too much. The one I just completed with a water fall going down a piece of wood needed areas to be sealed to prevent leakage and building up some edges. That is where I used the gorilla glue to make the features.

Question: Can the water run through areas that have the peat/coconut fiber? My understanding was that you want to try and keep the running water away from those areas.

My plan was to make the water only run over and across areas that have aquarium rock, and to have the peat/coconut fiber areas get misted by the mister, but not have running water touching them. Thoughts??

[FrogWag]

Good to hear, that is exactly what I"m thinking as far as the water and the coco fiber, etc..

I'm planning on securing the aquarium rock with glue, but I will definitely keep an eye out for small bits the frog could swallow....great tip!!

You don't want the coco fiber soaked and sitting in water. It will breakdown much faster this way. You want it moist but not overly wet. Water running over rocks, pebbles or clay is fine.
If you use aquarium rock make sure it is larger then the frogs can swallow by accident.

To be honest building water features takes trial and error. I know as my first vivarium was taken apart due to the water soaking the coco fiber way too much. The one I just completed with a water fall going down a piece of wood needed areas to be sealed to prevent leakage and building up some edges. That is where I used the gorilla glue to make the features.

[FrogWag]

We changed the layout of the waterfall tower to better fit in the Viv. Then we added the foam for the water "control". We are going to carve the foam to direct the water, and to make the initial foundation for the pool at the top and bottom.

[Grrrit]

Looking good! when you put the false bottom in make sure you foam around the gap against the glass and eggcrate. Frogs like to "hide" and get trapped. I wrapped my false bottom in screen to keep then from getting underneath.

[FrogWag]

I was definitely planning on wrapping the entire structure in screen, not only to prevent stuff from getting in, but also as a medium for which to apply silicone.

As for the outside edges, I was going to push it against the back right wall so there was no gap. Then I was thinking of filling the gap of the front 2 open sides with aquarium rocks, topped with larger rocks. My thought was that the rocks would be a great filter, and would be easy to remove for complete cleaning.

Is this a bad idea because they will get stuck in there? Also, if I foam it in, is it permanent?

=rk

[FrogWag]

Made big progress on the structure in upper back right; the flower pots attached with foam. Covered them in silicone today then a layer of coconut husk. It looks fantastic, and I think it is going to work just perfect. I can't wait to see what that it looks like when it is humid and damp.

Still wondering about aquarium rocks for a couple inches around the outside of the false bottom and the outside of the tank.