Extra supplies...why not? :D

[Heatheranne]

Simple and easy. That way I also won't lose any height.

So, Bill...since I can't use any fertilizer other than frog poo, can I add anything other than peat moss and cocoa fiber to my pots to feed my plants?

I used Neptune pond fertilizer on my plants back in the winter. Stinky but works great. It's fish emulsion and seaweed goo, lol! But it doesn't last long.

[deranged chipmunk]

worm castings are a wonderful source of food. or, you can do what i do, dilute some seachem flourish in a spray bottle and mist daily. it's a fertilizer for aquatic plants. never had an issue using it in my frog tanks. my frog nanny still uses it on my tanks.

[Heatheranne]

Thanks!

[pettios]

Sorry... one more question. I see you are using white styrofoam for the main wall structure. Do you plan on covering that up so it doesn't look white from the outside/backside?

[Heatheranne]

Yes, I will likely use brown silicone to cover it and adhere it to the glass walls.

[Heatheranne]

Holes poked in bottom of pots and all ready to silicone. This is so fun I want to make more just for "fun" .

[exasperatus2002]

Holes poked in bottom of pots and all ready to silicone. This is so fun I want to make more just for "fun" .

I know this question is probably a "Duh!?" moment but seeing everyones builds like this & taking fancy to them. Inspires me to try it out. Im guessing that you have already bought all the plants for the tank? and that is how you know what pot to use for the holes...right? Theres some broms I'd like to order but dont know what size they'll need. In the past I've only done false bottoms.

[DartEd]

I know this question is probably a "Duh!?" moment but seeing everyones builds like this & taking fancy to them. Inspires me to try it out. Im guessing that you have already bought all the plants for the tank? and that is how you know what pot to use for the holes...right? Theres some broms I'd like to order but dont know what size they'll need. In the past I've only done false bottoms.

Actually it's not required to purchase the plants. You just need to have idea of what you want. As far as neoregalia bromeliads you can pin them to the background. They're epiphitic so they'll grow attached to wood or a coco peat moss covered background. You can poke holes with toothpicks through the background and cross them to hold the brom in place. I make a hole in the background and push the stolon(stem) into the background and use glue gun to hold it in place. They'll root to the background within 6-8 months. Some people use wire or twist ties. A buddy of mine uses fishing line to tie them

Ed
Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2

[Meefloaf]

REWIND......whats this about worm castings

[exasperatus2002]

REWIND......whats this about worm castings

worm casting..i.e. worm poop is a very good fertilizer as is worm tea.

[deranged chipmunk]

looks great Heath!! can't wait to see it after it's all covered up! wanna build me one when i build my big tank next year? LOL

Holes poked in bottom of pots and all ready to silicone. This is so fun I want to make more just for "fun" .

[deranged chipmunk]

I know this question is probably a "Duh!?" moment but seeing everyones builds like this & taking fancy to them. Inspires me to try it out. Im guessing that you have already bought all the plants for the tank? and that is how you know what pot to use for the holes...right? Theres some broms I'd like to order but dont know what size they'll need. In the past I've only done false bottoms.

for me, it depends on the build. some builds i have a general idea what plants i want to put where and i buy plants as a i go. other builds, i have the plants already growing out before i even start the tank. i think it's good to have a general idea before you build the background, that way you can choose the right sized pots for each plant. always keep in mind that plants, and their roots will need room to grow. but you can also use smaller pots to bind the roots of larger plants, keeping them in check. of course, those plants will have to have their roots trimmed from time to time to keep them healthy.

[deranged chipmunk]

worm casting..i.e. worm poop is a very good fertilizer as is worm tea.

yup, worm castings are an excellent fertilizer for plants and 100% organic, which makes them a perfect fert for vivs.

[Heatheranne]

Healthy worm poo .

[Meefloaf]

Shall have to get some of this, anything I should look out for to avoid?

[Heatheranne]

Lol!

Would love to, Bill! What type of frogs shall I build it for? Lol!

[Heatheranne]

Okay...so, update...the expansion and contraction of the GS foam was giving me trouble since it decided to dry at an acute angle vs the 90' angle I needed. So, I cut most of the white foam off of the back and cracked a few areas and will just silicone it right in. I thought I'd add some more depth and cut some extra holes.

The silicone is quite messy. I used the brown GE 100% silicone. I added a few gem stones and beads for fun and then pressed on the substrate. Someone else here on the forum used gems and it looked so pretty I had to try it. thank you for the idea ff member . I wish i could remember who to properly thank them. I love sparkles . Of course, I have substrate everywhere and am quite itchy, lol! And I need more silicone. Two tubes only covered about a third of it so far.

Now that I have an idea of how to work with the foam and silicone I think I'll have an easier time on the dart tank. This is the first background I've ever done.

Once I finish putting on the decor, silicone, and substrate I will silicone in the vines. I'm not getting a visual yet on how I want them. With all of the plant pots I think I'll only use one or two vines. I'm not sure if I want to just run it vertically or perhaps zigzag it up. Feel free to add any fun ideas for me .

Well, it's way past my bed time and I'm super sleepy, so have a good night ff friends and I'll return tomorrow.

Night!



Oh yeah...no worries on the plants...I have a mini greenhouse of options to play with .

[deranged chipmunk]

looks awesome Heather!! guess you found out the hazard of building the background outside of the enclosure. nothing cures at the angles you want them to....lol

as far as the vines go, jut keep in mind that vines grow according to the surface they are growing on. they will also grow vertically until they tip over and grab. that should get your creative juices flowing

[Heatheranne]

looks awesome Heather!! guess you found out the hazard of building the background outside of the enclosure. nothing cures at the angles you want them to....lol

as far as the vines go, jut keep in mind that vines grow according to the surface they are growing on. they will also grow vertically until they tip over and grab. that should get your creative juices flowing

Yes. I was hoping to make it easy to remove if desired. That did not work as planned, so she's going directly in.

I was thinking I might put the vines in towards bottom pot(s) so a nice pothos can climb up it, or perhaps my wandering Jew. I'll have to play musical plants until it catches my eye just right. Really what I want is a humongous tank so I can really have fun. I'm starting to think making a curio would be much easier than I had previously thought . This could be a dangerous thought on my part, ha ha!!! And...Friday is payday .

[deranged chipmunk]

Yes. I was hoping to make it easy to remove if desired. That did not work as planned, so she's going directly in.

I was thinking I might put the vines in towards bottom pot(s) so a nice pothos can climb up it, or perhaps my wandering Jew. I'll have to play musical plants until it catches my eye just right. Really what I want is a humongous tank so I can really have fun. I'm starting to think making a curio would be much easier than I had previously thought . This could be a dangerous thought on my part, ha ha!!! And...Friday is payday .

yeah, those removable backgrounds never really work out. not that it can't be done, they are just a pita.

the vine idea sounds cool. the plants will love climbing them

the curio? just do what i plan on doing, build your own huge viv. if you can build a box out of wood, you are half way there. lol