Getting Started with Darts

[MeTree]

Progress! Last night I started on the background for the tank. All I did was silicone it with GE silicone II Black Window and Doors. I stopped there last night because I needed to let it dry overnight. Here are some pictures of the backglass siliconed.

Just Starting


Spreading with Card

(you can see I was chatting on Frog Forum at the time LOL!)

Finished



Today hopefully I can put on the GS. Can't wait! More pictures later!

[dtfleming]

Not really sure what you are doing with the background. You can put the GS on first, let that dry, carve it if you want. Then add the silicone onto the gs and add coco fiber to that. Also you can put some wood pieces into the gs before it dries.

[bshmerlie]

It was my suggestion that he put the silicone on the back glass simply to hide the white GS. I also paid for the silicone so he's following my direction on this. This is his first background. I understand many people simply put the GS directly on the glass but this is the way I'm use to doing it and I know it looks good and will last. I'm sure there are many ways to skin the cat this is just one of them. Other suggestions are welcome as we go through this project. Later today in chat we will be discussing the GS procedures as he is working on the project. Please feel free to join us during that step of the project. Any and all are welcome.

[DonLisk]

Hiding the white GS is a great idea. Especially for a viv that will be viewable from the three sides.

I don't do this and often wonder how I'm going to hide that odd looking white sides.

[bshmerlie]

It all depends on what you're going be able to see visually. I did my very first one without the silicone and it looked unfinished. Some people also paint the exterior glass or use black contact paper to cover it up. These are just some of the ways to cover it up. Its just a matter of preference. It also gave Stanton the opportunity to mess around with the silicone before we really get into it.

[MeTree]

Well, I am ready to start the live chat building session. Just as soon as Cheri has some time to help, we can start. I don't want to work on it until Cheri can help out (since she is paying for it LOL).

See you all soon!

[guppygal]

There are so many ways to do the background and this should be interesting. I'm curious to see how it turns out.

We've done a big tank with large pieces of cork bark pressed into freshly applied Great Stuff and it's holding up well.

I have another tank where I'm trying the clay method, of sorts. I slathered clay onto a sheet of eggcrate, then pressed cork bark into it. I have to be careful not to let it dry too fast - we'll see how it holds up.

The first tank is always the hardest, IMO, but it looks like you're doing super, Stanton.

kristi

[bshmerlie]

Ill be ready in about ten minutes. Get your GS ready. See you guys in chat.

[MeTree]

There are so many ways to do the background and this should be interesting. I'm curious to see how it turns out.

We've done a big tank with large pieces of cork bark pressed into freshly applied Great Stuff and it's holding up well.

I have another tank where I'm trying the clay method, of sorts. I slathered clay onto a sheet of eggcrate, then pressed cork bark into it. I have to be careful not to let it dry too fast - we'll see how it holds up.

The first tank is always the hardest, IMO, but it looks like you're doing super, Stanton.

kristi

Thank you! I hope this background turns out nicely, and I'm sure it will with all of y'all's help!

I just got 2 more packages. One has all the fruit fly culturing stuff in it, as well as leaf litter, some sphagnum moss, and screens. The other package has the ABG mix. Thank you Cheri!

I will get some pictures up ASAP, but I am having diffeculty with my Photobucket (again).

Can't wait to see you guys in chat!

[MeTree]

We are in chat working on construction. I am just about to start, probably in the next 2 minutes, with applying the GS. Anyone want to join chat?

[bshmerlie]

Stanton is done with the GS and will hopefully post some pictures of his....creation.

[DonLisk]

This is a great and fun thread. Its like getting a comic book and having to wait for the next issue.

[MeTree]

Yes, here come the pictures! Thanks Cheri and Mike for helping!


These pictures were taken about 20-30 minutes afterward, I was having trouble with my Photobucket, and it wouldn't let me eject the card. Apologies. Then I got caught up in chat (still caught up in chat), so I am finally posting pictures! Yay!






This just keeps looking better!

[MikeM670]

Hiding the white GS is a great idea. Especially for a viv that will be viewable from the three sides.

I don't do this and often wonder how I'm going to hide that odd looking white sides.

Your just gonna have to put another tank right next to that ugly white side.

[DonLisk]

Your just gonna have to put another tank right next to that ugly white side.

I knew there had to be a perfectly good reason for not hiding the white side.

[John]

I think what you did is smart, but you can avoid having to do it in the future if you get black expanding foam. I like to use the Tetra foam sold for ponds (Lowes has this in many stores). The black is a lot less in your face, and if you miss a piece when you cover it with silicone and background material, it doesn't look as obvious as other colors. All in all, less work to go with black.

[MeTree]

I think what you did is smart, but you can avoid having to do it in the future if you get black expanding foam. I like to use the Tetra foam sold for ponds (Lowes has this in many stores). The black is a lot less in your face, and if you miss a piece when you cover it with silicone and background material, it doesn't look as obvious as other colors. All in all, less work to go with black.

I saw that in your dart frog terrarium building thread. Perhaps I can use that in my next dart frog build, whenever that may be.

Just an update with pictures. I worked for over an hour and finally finished the background (I think). This afternoon I did lots of carving, and then I coated stuff with silicone and cocofiber. The only spots that weren't completely siliconed and cocofiberd over was afew small spots on the inside of the pots holders. Not noticable even with no pots.

Anyway, this is sort of what it looked like when I finished carving. I did take afew things out, but not alot.





Here is a picture of what it looks like with the wood in it (suspended).


Here are some pictures of what it basically looks like right now.




Hopefully I can get the tank cleaned out tomorrow, and some of the plants in. I have to leave for a couple weeks, and I am excited about it, but it just seems to me like bad timing.

Anyway, pictures of the vivarium tomorrow!

[ViperJr]

Mighty fine Stanton, mighty fine.

[MikeM670]

The tank is looking very good. And the fact your going to have to let it sit for a few weeks in not a bad thing. It will let the foam and silicone cure longer before you get your frogs.

If your going to get it all planted up before you go then it will have a chance to grow in. Just make sure you have it properly covered and someone to keep it moist.

[bshmerlie]

Looks great Stanton. This is your first tank and you will find it gets easier each time you do another one. You will learn from this build and you will find easier ways to to things. You will develop your own style. This will hopefully be one of many. Keep it up.