40B Vertical Conversion Build Journal

[DigitalPunk]

It is still early for the frogs in the tank (24 hours) but one of them has moved from the top to the bottom. The 2nd one up top got halfway down the ghost wood then went back up. Still keeping a close eye on them to make sure they can get around the tank safely. I am sure once they get older it will be easier.

[DigitalPunk]

If you enjoyed the build and guides please click the little star below and send me some reputation. Lord knows I need it

I have several "How To" videos coming soon to my youtube channel. I will also post the how to guides on the forums with links to the videos and will include a picture based guide for any of my videos on request .

[flybyferns]

It is still early for the frogs in the tank (24 hours) but one of them has moved from the top to the bottom. The 2nd one up top got halfway down the ghost wood then went back up. Still keeping a close eye on them to make sure they can get around the tank safely. I am sure once they get older it will be easier.

Hi Paul,
Hmmmmm. I'm not so sure , either, if this is the best arrangement for them. They don't like to climb.
Being up there in the 1st place may have been as a result of a little anxiety of being in the new tank.

Now you are going to have to get another species See, see how this happens !!

Have you considered a thumbnail species. R imitator 'Varadero' would climb like crazy in there!
On 2nd thought ----that may not work out well either !!!! The open "conversion' door could be a problem.
They could jump out as they are escape artists !

D Lecomelas think they are tree frogs. You can keep a group of 4 in there.
They are really funny and very entertaining!

[DigitalPunk]

Are Luecs fun to own? I read that they are bold which is almost required anymore lol. I have enough shy frogs

On an unrelated note. The Autumn Fern seems to be struggling a bit. I am writing it off as transplant die off, but if it gets to bad I may have to pull it and set it up in my grow out tank to acclimate to terrarium life Maybe the shady spot is a bit to shady...

[Goose]

Hey guys I'm fairly new to the site and this is my first post! I'm looking to build my first viv soon to house some auratus so I've been doing a ton of research. Paul this build is nothing short of amazing and your how-to's have been great as well as your youtube videos. I have two questions and two comments. 1. What kind of paint do you use to paint your foam background? 2. Do you have to seal the paint with anything once its dry? ok and my comments; 1. I'm a carpenter by trade and so I'm reasonably handy. Well when I was reading through your conversion steps it seemed like it could be helpful to run a sharp putty knife under the edge of the tank frame that you removed a few times to cut it loose a bit before you have to pry it off. and 2. a few 2x4's cut to the same depth as the tank that you would lay the door on could help to hold the door exactly level and in place while you epoxy the hinges in place. And I use masking tape a ton to hold things in place while I check hinges to make sure things line up square and the edges and corners don't rub funny.

This seems like a great community, Thanks.
~adam

[DigitalPunk]

Goose,

First of all Welcome to the Frog Forum! I love it here and I hope you will too!

Sorry I missed the response and it took me 3 days to figure that out..... Some welcome huh?

Thank you for the compliments

1. What kind of Paint - We use plain ole acrylic paint. Once the paint dries (which takes literally no time at all when doing highlights light this)
2. we spray a clear polyurethane over it to seal it in. We use the Kryloc <sp> spray. Bought it at Walmart.

Thank you for the comments - Yes there are much easier way to do things than the way I had to resort to. The 2x4 idea is excellent and is one I wish I had thought of at the time lol! I did wedge a putty knife under the lip of the frame between where I cut it, but the silicone was very unforgiving. Again I am sure there is some way someone has tried that makes that much easier. I really tried to document the exact steps I took to accomplish this with the hopes that someone (like you) would watch and see how I did it and build on what I showed and do a tank better, easier, and more efficient

Thanks for taking the time to read, watch, and Comment!

[Goose]

Paul,
Thanks for the info. Don't worry about the time it took, everyone gets busy. I have REALLY enjoyed learning and researching on this site in preparation for getting some darts of my own. I WAS encouraged and inspired by your build, so well done. I'm doing some filming when I work on my tank, its spent alot of time sitting though, partly cause of the money it takes to put into it and partly cause of chasing a toddler here at home. I'll be sure to share some pics along the way and see about having a video put together when its all done too.

Thanks Again,
•adam

[DigitalPunk]

Awesome can't wait to see it. Yes tank building takes a lot of time, money, and energy lol. So Do toddlers