20 Gallon Vertical Build Journal

[DonLisk]

Below is a journal of the construction of a vivarium using a 20 gallon high tank in the vertical position.
This tank will be used to house a pair of Dendrobates tinctorius – Bakhuis Mountain.

To begin, my first step was to ensure I had all the items I would require for the build.
This included the following materials:
Tank
Great Stuff Gap and Crack filler
GE Silicone II for Windows and Doors
Accent items IE: Wood, Cork Rounds, Potting Cups

The following tools were needed to begin:
Caulking Gun
Razor Blades
Knife
Wipe Out of similar cleaner IE: Vinegar or Bleach and Water mix
Disposable Rubber Gloves
Paper Towels
Patience

Here are a few pictures of the items used:

Before applying any Great Stuff foam or GE Silicone II, clean the glass to ensure no residue it on the glass that could cause the foam or silicone to not adhere properly. The glass looked very clean to start this build, but as you can see from the picture below, it definitely was not.

Once the glass was dry and I was ready to play with the foam and silicone, I placed the accent items in to find where I wanted them to end up. As you see from the following pictures, I cut the cork round into three sections as I also did with the wood.
The first piece of wood was attached with silicone and allowed to dry some before applying the Great Stuff foam.

I allowed this left side of the tank to cure for about two hours, then flipped the tank onto its back where I then placed my next accent items and and applied more great stuff foam. Once I was happy with accent locations and the amount of foam I applied, I allowed this to sit overnight to cure. Remember to attach the accent items with silicone first or the foam will move them around as the foam expands.

I will be trimming the foam and cutting in some cracks and ledges sometime later today which will be covered in the next post.

[bshmerlie]

As always Don very cool. Im gonna be working on my 20 gallon End View today so I'll also be posting some pics. I like how you use cork rounds in your tanks. I don't think I could use them is this tank but Im picking up another 18 cube today so I'm definately going to use them in that one. I can call it my Don copy. what other kind of wood do you have in there? Where did you find it? It looks different?

[John]

Looks good Don. But a vert for tincs? Are you sure?

[DonLisk]

Man, these two are climbing everywhere. Most of the time they are up on the monkey ladder or picking off flies from the pothos and top side walls where they are now. With the monkey ladder and plants going in I think they will use more more than whats available going up.

The wood was something I found at Zoo Creatures and I believe was for an aquarium. Super light weight so I'm hoping it won't deteriorate fast.
The lowest piece is angled out to create a somewhat larger overhang and once the substrates in and sloped up towards the left back it should make a nice place for them to start climbing since I plan to do most of the plants center to top in this one.

We'll see. If not, then I can build them a 20 Long... I love building ..... hehehehe

[LilyPad]

Patience is right! It's looking good already, I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Voltage]

The tincs I saw today were climing up and down in a 10 vert... But it's looking good and I hope your foam doesn't shrink off the glass

[DonLisk]

Thanks Voltage. I just finished putting the silicone and substrate to it so I'll add more later tonight. I was amazed the Great Stuff was completely dry to the glass in 12 - 14 hours.

[Heatheranne]

Don, I think you are the tank master, lol! Every one I've seen of yours is gorgeous! I am learning bundles. Thanks!

[Heatheranne]

Tulip, good luck on yours! It's so much fun. I hope you'll share pictures as yours progresses .