18x18x24 vivarium build (heavy picture / still in progress)

[nos187]

Hey guys! Just thought i would share some of the photos of my first vivarium build. I eventually will make another post with specific details in how i did everthing but here goes nothing =)







Sorry i could not get them in order but you get the idea!!! =) Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I am all ears


-Kevin

[Leefrogs]

No comments, just sitting, waiting fir you to Finnish, LOL

[bshmerlie]

Kevin you are one ambitious dude. Its looking good. Don't forget to put in some pots if you want plants on that background.

[nos187]

i was going to ask.. what size pots do you guys use? I bought a few 3' and 4' ones. Still deciding... But i figure i will have an air brom growing off of the log... then mount 1 or 2 on the right side of the tank (porthos or something) .. and maybe another on the left. Plus a few on the ground.. but that is tomorrows objective =).. im going to have to get some moss and vines growing on that artificial vine as well... id like to get some creeping fig too... welp i am just rambling on now.. ill update you guys soon im sure! =)

[clownonfire]

You can use a lot of air plants that would be specific for dart frogs (bromeliads are one of them). If you look at John Clare's builds on this site, you will see he uses a lot of them.

http://www.frogforum.net/care-articl...struction.html

Eric

[nos187]

thanks eric im planning to cram as many plants as i can in there =)

[LilyPad]

Very cool! So much work I can't wait to see it when it is all done. You have far more motivation than me, I prefer to buy my stuff rather than build it myself, but your custom build is going to look fantastic!

[nos187]

Picture progress update!! lol what do you guys think. (Besides needing plants =)) hahaha

[DonLisk]

Really liking your build and giving me some inspiration too.
Can't wait to see it with some substrate and plants.

[Groffy]

I am totally inspired by your creativity. I generally buy everything for my vivarium and I know how pricey the waterfalls can be. What material did youe use and particularly what kind of paint. Awesome job!

[clownonfire]

As always, very nice!!

[nos187]

Wow, thanks a lot guys! My thoughts on the tank was to use as much of the dead space of the tank i could. I appreciate all the friendly positive comments! =)

As for the waterfall i just carved out styrofoam. Got everything looking like something i liked. Then adjusted the water path down the fall. Then i bought two bags of sanded grout. Black and silver. I did a coat of black... let it cure for about 30-45min. Then began the silver. The two will kind of blur together but it looks like it turned out pretty good. Let cure for 24-48 hours (do touch ups if needed) and then seal it with acrylic or marine apoxy resin. Watch the video at the bottom of the thread from AAAfrogs.

Thank you all for such kind words! It is my first build. I hope i will have some happy little froggys hahhaa.

YouTube - ‪Part 2: Building A Vertical Dart Frog Vivarium HD‬‏

[nos187]

PS - Any plant recommendations? Im thinking top right pot putting a philodendron green. A brom growing off the wood piece. Porthos in the big pot. Then two more broms on both sides of the waterfall. Followed by leaf litter. What do you guys think?

[bshmerlie]

What kind of frogs are you putting in there?

[nos187]

R. Imitator "Varadero" =)

[nos187]

Vivarium is finally planted!!! Woooooooooot! lol

So i dropped the waterfall (yes after all that work). But in interest for my frogs. I decided to go with 2-3 leuc and i figured they would rather have the floor space.

Needless to say here it is!!

Let me know what you guys think =)














Please guys let me know what you think! Im really excited to hear =) And be nice! lol

[Groffy]

Your viv looks great. Do you have enough space for a water pond? I'm sure you do, the pics don't show the full bottom space.

[nos187]

Hey guys!

Sorry it has been so long! I have made some major advancements! Sorry no frogs yet hahaha. The vivarium is now in its new home in the basement. I went with the Zoomed lighting fixture bought at my local reptile shop. I also bought a couple full spectrum 6700k florescent light bulbs for the fixture. I also bought a piece of acrylic to cover 90% of the top of the tank (which will eventually be changed to glass... yes it's already warping!). As for the plants i removed the front red brom and replaced it with a water bowl ( and yes guys i chose not to use the waterfall for this tank =/ ). I planted a few new plants locally bought from meijer. Check it out =)

I am really looking forward to hear some feedback (positive or negative) on the vivarium. Any questions, comments, concerns, suggestions? I am all ears!!

Enjoy,

-Kevin

[Grrrit]

Very cool build ! I really dig the isolated pots and utilization of all the upper space without it being crowded. A+ for sure. Let's see the frogs in there.

[LilyPad]

I absolutely love it!! You've given me a few ideas for my next viv...