125Gallon Viv. build

[Hilikus311]

I would just like some advice and help w/ this build and well constructive critisicim. I'll post pictures as I go so hold tight till then. What should i start off w/ and what materials should i use? I plan on using BlackJungle for most of my needs. Any suggestions of materials please don't be shy.

[Grimm]

This is a large enclosure, and those are some pretty loaded questions. I suggest you give us a run down on what you want the end result to look like and what types of features you want to see. If this is your 1st enclosure, I severely urge you to make AT LEAST one practice build, and to try several background methods. I havent herd of a single person who didnt wish they changed something about their 1st viv. I wish I started buildign a few smaller ones before jumping into my 1st large tank. Now its has been torn down and sold off for whatever money I could get lol.

[Hilikus311]

Thanks Grimm, your right about those questions I threw out there, but i did it for a reason. But to answer your question. I do plan on adding a stream and a waterfall feature or two. from left to right. I aslo plan on adding several types of moss and possibly a native species as well b/c i like how small the plant stays. As far as a specific question that i would like answered asap goes, well, how well do Carnivorious plants do w/ dart frogs. Specificly pitcher plants of sorts. Any experience?
Also, should i invest in anykind of filteration?

[Grimm]

I wouldnt worry to much about plants at this moment. Id try to finalize your building methods and overall design first. Pitcher plants should be fine so long as they arent large enough for the frogs to get inside and not get out. Ive actually herd of peoples darts competing to try and sit inside them, so I dont think they will be an issue anyways.

You should do some searching around the site to see what you like. Specifically the stickied threads.

Off the top of my head I can name a ton of different methods you can pick from...

False bottom, gravel bottom, devided bottom, false background, under tank sump setup...
Expanding foam, sculpted foam board, concrete, paint, cockbark panels, coco panels, silicone/coco, titebond mixture, clay, the list goes on lol

If the water section is to house plants/fish I would suggest getting a filter, or using a sump setup. Just make sure the perimeter of the water feature is lightly sloped and easily accesible to the frogs if they fall in. I wouldnt suggest a large feature at all for a 1st build however, let alone one with dart frogs. They become a pain, and unless you have experience with planted aquariums already, it may not turn out the greatest. Small ponds are great though. They keep humidity levels high and can be used as tadpole deposite sites.

[Trex22seg]

First of all about the filtration yes defintly get some filtration but it does not have to be that extravagant also I would definitely add some overflows. to do this simply drill holes in ur tank where u want the water level to be then put some PVC in the holes leadin to a bucket seal it with silicon. Why I suggest this is cuz siphoning that much water out is gonna take a long time especially if u have a false bottom.


Also about the moss K
It really depends on where u want to put it some mosses do good anny where and others are more picky


Now about black jungle I use it for the majority of my plants but it can be unreliable also do not expect the plant to look like the picture they have up. I made this mistake before and it is annoying especially when u ordered that plant to go in a certin spot

[imamerican95]

i suggest using the expanding foam method. you can make the background however you want. also, u should have a false bottom. u shood also get some cork bark peices and put it in the expander foam(u can use driftwood or lava rock) and u shood get some bromeliads and pin them onto ur background. for other ideas, go to my youtube account...YouTube - ImAmerican95's Channel