My first build! Be gentle.

Royal · #1 07-28-2010, 09:04 PM

Hi Folks,

Vivarium newbie here, orchid grower, never built a vive before. My wife wanted a terrarium for her students and had an old tank. I signed up here, did some research and threw a tank together. I learned a lot from making this tank and I am already changing a few things up (remove some gravel, build up the substrate). The substrate is just a 1:1 mix of peat and sand - just what I had on hand.

I welcome comments and advice, and I take constructive criticism well so fire away. Let's get to the fun stuff...pictures.

beckdg · #2 07-28-2010, 11:00 PM

what do you plan to do for pump maintenance?

Royal · #3 07-29-2010, 07:42 AM

If I must, I can get to it without tearing up the whole thing - I hope. I had planned on making an access panel with some GS or cork bark, but in the end I decided to keep everything temporary. There are no animals so I was hoping pump maint would be minimal. Was this just wishful thinking?

beckdg · #4 07-29-2010, 08:45 AM

i think it may have been. at the very least it should probably be pulled and cleaned monthly... even without animals.

Grimm · #5 07-29-2010, 09:35 AM

Plus it doesnt look like you put down any sort of fabric/mesh in between your leca/pebbles and your substrate. You will get a lot of substrate in the water section because of this and will probably end up clogging the pump over time.

Royal · #6 07-29-2010, 10:23 AM

I did put down some screen on top of the leca before I put down the substrate. I just didn't snap a photo. You can kind of see it in pic #3. The false bottom is completely enclosed with screen except for the the hole to drop in the pump, which was covered up with overlapping pieces. The pump sits inside the screened in FB so there are actually a few layers of screen.

Thanks for the comments and observations, they do help. There's definitely room for improvement. I just hope the water stays clean, maybe the addition of aquatic plants will help.

beckdg · #7 07-29-2010, 10:53 AM

not aquatic... emergent, bog, semi-aquatic, amphibious, etc.. i would suggest some rooted and some floor cover plants to hold on to the substrate from all angles. it's good you have the screen in there.