Temporary FBT Tank (build journal)

Boozled · #1 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:14 PM

Okay, so I decided it is time to redo my FBT tank that is in my classroom. I have been wanting to redo it for a while, but now I have an excuse...it seems that one of my FBTs has disappeared. I'm pretty sure it didn't escape on its own, so I want to tear down the tank to make sure it didn't get trapped somewhere and perish.

I'm wondering if a student thought they could have a five-fingered discount and took it out of the tank. It wouldn't be easy to do, though, thus my confusion

Anyway, here is a journal of my temporary tank build.

I'm am moving Diego into a 6 gallon for now. I know its kinda small, but he'll be the only one in there. I forgot to take a pic of the eggcrate with just the screen on it, so the first pic is of the GS around the edges of it. I let the GS cure for about 36 hrs.

I put silicone around the bottom edge to seal the GS. Next, I siliconed and applied moss to each side, one side at a time. Once the sides were done, I did the same for the top edges. Another 24 hrs curing.

More to come...

Boozled · #2 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:16 PM

While the curing was going on, I cut 4 pieces of pvc pipe into 3 1/2 inch lengths, and drilled six holes in each so water can flow through without getting stagnant.

Once my silicone was dry, I siliconed the PVC to the eggcrate. Waited 24 hrs again.

I skipped some pics here again (sorry), but once the PVC silicone had cured, I siliconed the bottom of the PVC to the bottom of the tank.

I put coco-fiber on the screen of the eggcrate, rinsed all the dirt off the roots of the plants, and arranged the plants to provide some shelter. Then I put the rocks in the bottom, put an Elite Mini submersible filter in and added the water.

I also put a picture of a rainforest area as a background to give the tank more depth.

So far it is maintaining a temp of 85 degrees. I haven't been able to check the humidity yet, as my gauge is in the other tank, but it fogs up the window a lot! I still have to put something in there to help Diego get out of the water and onto the land area, but I'll probably do that tomorrow.

What do y'all think?

Futurehabitatcreator · #3 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:26 PM

Great looking terrarium.

Nice idea for making a land portion. If only some new. Most people just cut some plexi glass to the right size then silicone it on. Your idea seems much better.

To give the tank a better look, maybe silicone gravel onto the pipes holding up your land proportion? That way it won't look so unnatural.

Like you said, there should be something to help "Diego" get out of the water, I think a piece of wood would be great.

Aside from that, Great looking tank.=)

islandvivs · #4 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:38 PM

Future - actually most people i know make the land area like that. Its the most comoon way of doing it. Ive seen quite a few here being done like that.

Very nicely done Boozled

Boozled · #5 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:40 PM

OOOh, I like the idea of the gravel on the PVC. Since this tank is temporary, I probably won't worry about it here, but on my 20 gal rebuild...

I'm hoping to get a fake rock or something to help Diego get out of the water. I have some wood in my current tank and even though I pre-soaked it in boiling water for several days, it still turned my water dark brown. It doesn't bother me too much except that Diego spends a lot of time in the water, and I want to be able to see him.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Futurehabitatcreator · #6 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandvivs

Future - actually most people i know make the land area like that. Its the most comoon way of doing it. Ive seen quite a few here being done like that.

Very nicely done Boozled

oops! I've never seen anyone do it like that =)

Thanks for filling me in island, either way I love the idea of it

__

boozled, I can't quite tell, but I would suggest putting a cocohut or some sort of hide on the land proportion.

Ps-Your probaly not finished just yet, so if you were planning on putting in a hide (or already have one) just ignore what I said.

Boozled · #7 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:47 PM

I will put something, although I don't know that Diego will use it. He never uses the ones in my current tank, just hangs out in the water. The pics are real good at showing the actual size of the tank, but the land area is only 6 in X 6 in. I'm working with a small area. I was hoping the plants would cover it more for hiding. I'll figure something out before I put him in there. I want the environment to settle in first anyway.

Thanks to both of you for your kind words!

Futurehabitatcreator · #8 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:48 PM

Your welcome =)

I do have a question if you don't mind.

What did you use to spread the silicone on the GS?

Futurehabitatcreator · #9 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:49 PM

oh yes! I almost forgot! Do you happen to have any pics of your old tank?

Boozled · #10 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:54 PM

I used my finger for the silcone...I used to be in the Navy and we always used fingers to spread that stuff. Just wiped it off on a paper towel every now and then. When you are through, alcohol takes off any residue. Of course you could always wear gloves.

I don't have any current pictures of my old tank, but I will take one and send it to you before I tear it down.