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  #41  
Old 05-20-2008, 11:07 PM
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alright. so the leak is fixed, new furniture is in the living room, and it's back to work on my tank. The frog has been eyeballing me all day to get cracking on it again. and we all know how hard it is to take a staredown from a red eye.... so here is today's progress.



this last image shows it the way I think I'm going to keep my lighting in the finished product.
It eliminates light from the water channel in the front and creates some nice shadows.


I wish I would have thought of trimming in the edges of the foam with bark on the left side(where I started) like I did on the right. I think it finishes it nicely.
the moss is proving very hard to dry without putting in the oven (i have no cookie sheets) so I have it in a 5 gallon bucket, covered the bucket top with screen, and have a fan blowing into it. my house smells like a wet forest, but I will toss it a couple times, and I think it will do the trick by tomorrow night.

Last edited by Waterkeeper; 12-28-2010 at 05:45 PM..
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  #42  
Old 05-21-2008, 01:45 PM
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its coming out nice =D
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  #43  
Old 05-21-2008, 02:22 PM
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WOW! I love it!
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  #44  
Old 05-21-2008, 11:10 PM
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Thanks for the kind words!
I got started today applying the exoterra forest moss. It comes in a brick like the coco bedding, you add a liter of water and it expands(add 2 liters if your wise) to almost fill a 5 gallon bucket.

when glove shopping, I recommend you get the thin disposable vinyl gloves in a 10 pack for $3, instead of the thick kitchen, maid, grandma pinesol spraying gloves because they give you a better sense of touch for what you are doing. and when you finish a section and want to take a break, peel it off inside out and toss it in the trash, there are 9 more in the pack and all work on either hand.

So I take my black silicone and apply it generously to the great stuff foam, smear it all around with a gloved hand.


With my ungloved hand I apply GENEROUS amounts of the moss to the silicone. Put on way more moss than you need and press it in good all over. pay extra attention to the grooves inthe foam, and around any branches you stuck into it. the same when applying the silicone. if you miss a spot with the silicone, then you WILL have a yellow bald spot.


Do it small sections at a time(i did 10"x10"), and always stop short with the moss(or coco) of the edge of the silicone because you don't want to touch the moss with your silicone covered glove. leave an inch or so for when you apply more silicone.

Final product...


That's probably all for tonight, if I get more moss dried I will complete another section and post up.

Later Kids!

Last edited by Waterkeeper; 05-21-2008 at 11:24 PM..
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  #45  
Old 05-21-2008, 11:37 PM
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What silicone is this? GE window and door black with out mold inhibitor?
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  #46  
Old 05-22-2008, 12:47 AM
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This is GE 100% silicone type II Window and Door. with BIOSEAL mold inhibitor.

I tried to get my hands on the GE type 1 black which does not have the mold inhibitor, but it is rare locally and I didn't want to order a case of it. The Black Jungle guys used this same Type II, so I assume it is going to be safe. I read Many Many posts before settling on the type II.

I am use to saltwater aquariums and type II is a BIG NO NO for them, but apparently totally acceptible in a vivarium. many claim to have tanks setup with it for 3+ years without a problem yet.
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  #47  
Old 05-22-2008, 12:51 AM
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yea I am used to saltwater aquariums too and was like umm- maybe it just leeches into the water not into the air? hmm.
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  #48  
Old 05-22-2008, 01:19 AM
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the mold inhibitor affects the bacteria in a tank as well as alot of other micro fauna. This environment is simply not as delicate.
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  #49  
Old 05-24-2008, 11:04 AM
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So I finished up the moss aplication last night.

WOOT WOOT!

I'll put up some pics tonight. when I get home.... I'm just excited that it's finally coming together.

I do need some advice on the hood now. I am going to have to have the glass cut custom because they don't make a versa top for this thing and it's funky shaped. so how are you DIY people making your hinges on your hoods, and inverted tanks?? Show me some pics if you can

Lata -Chris
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  #50  
Old 05-25-2008, 05:05 AM
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BLING!!
The moss background is finished. I'm about what... 80% finished now? a glass top and a canopy, some rock and a lil dirt, some replanting of my greenery from the 10 gallon and I'm ready to make FrogBert a happy new home.


i'm still interested in seeing how some of you DIY your door hinges!
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