My First Vertical Tanks: Build Log with Pics. - Page 2

Tindomul1of9 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 01:22 PM

I finished adding the coco fiber yesterday, so no more foam is visible. The way you add it is by smearing silicone in sections at a time, then you press the coco fiber on. If you silicone everything at once, the silicone will dry and you wont be able to press the coco in.
I also tested the bottom glass insert(for the door) for leaks. THis morining the outside of the tank was dry as a bone!!!
I cleaned off the glass of silicone smears and marks with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponge. They do a good job!

Next step is to apply the door and screen!! Yikes!! Wish me luck!

Tindomul1of9 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-20-2006, 10:14 PM

Here is a little update. I siliconed the screen for ventilation on to the top of the tank. I siliconed the brass hinges and the latch to the glass door too. This morning it was all cured and looked great.

If you squint you can see the latch attached to the screen on the lower left corner of the screen.

I used some clamps to make sure the screen would stick as close to the rim of the tank as possible. I was worried that the glass door was to long (by a millimeter).

And it worked. It now opens smoothly as opposed to before when it was really really tight.

And here are the brass hinges. They work like a charm. Im happy!

Jezza · #13 (**permalink**) 07-24-2006, 02:24 AM

thats coming along really well,
your doing a great job Tindomul1of9
it's looking awsum!

Tindomul1of9 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 11:31 PM

Well update with better pics. Nothing new!

Thats the full frontal shot!
You can see the new digital temp and humidity reader with min/max memmory.

Leaf litter, Magnolias from a few branches that fell during the storms last week.

Thats a little pond in the front.

Top of the viv. All those cuttings and broms I got from Antone at Frogsbroms.com, more on the way!

kwiky · #15 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 02:22 PM

looks great, im really impressed, well done

Tindomul1of9 · #16 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 04:58 PM

Thanks Kwiky!

Pavel · #17 (**permalink**) 07-30-2006, 08:55 PM

I didn't know silicon would be strong enough to hold the hinges in place with the weight of the glass. Cool

Are you using a misting system to handle any watering needs or just by hand?

Where did you get the coco fiber?

Nice work Tindo.

Tindomul1of9 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 10:24 AM

Thanks Pavel.
The Silicone has been strong enough so far. I hope nothing goes wrong,

I figured if silicone is strong enough to keep big vivariums in one piece, why not this.
I got coco fiber from a pet store sold as bed-a-beast.
I also put in a few bits and pieces of osmunda(just experimenting).
I've heard that epi-web is also great for plants.
And Im spraying by hand. I figure two misitngs a day should be enough. If not then I will have to get a misting system and attach it through the screen

(there is no where else I can put it).

Tindomul1of9 · #19 (**permalink**) 08-21-2006, 07:01 PM

I'm almost finsihed with my 2nd 20 Long. I made alot of short cuts on this one. I didn't use any silicone on the back glass to hide the handi foam.
I also ran out of fomo (used to much as I was spraying), and didn't bother to get more. So I filled in the gaps with Osmunda for plants.
I did find out that Handi foam will bond to glass without any problems. Infact, I only siliconed one piece of drift wood to the back glass, and used only handi foam to hold the other two. The two being supported by foam are actually stronger than the one stuck with silicone!!! :shock:

I also somehow ended up scratching all the glass involved, :roll:. That includes the side glasses, the front door, the bottom glass, the top, etc.....

Here are the pics. The drift wood I think is killer!

Tomorrow, I will fill it in with gravel near the glass, and LECA in the center. The substrate will be my left over coco-fiber. No fancy shmancy terrarium soil.

Here you can see the position of the latch. In this position the opening and closing of the front door does not loosen the latch, as it does in my first 20. Go to the beggining of this thread to see where I put the latch in the first one.

Move over Rhino Rock ( :twisted: )

Since this is going to be for a green tree frog and needs less humidity, I will be putting a large computer fan on top of the screen front.

Tindomul1of9 · #20 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 08:16 PM

A little update. I added the gravel, leca, and substrate.

I'm probably gonna have to add more coco earth once it gets moist and it no longer is fluffy.
Thats the pond area (mostly for drainage) in the lower right corner. Its actually very deep.

Oh, and a nice little ledge that worked out with my drift wood. I wonder what nice little plant will call that ledge a home?