New Build log

[CLennerton]

OK so I got a bit of time today to work a bit more on this....the gs has been curing for a couple days, and I put it back in the tank and did a mock setup of how it will look. I also wanted to see where I would need to cut into the gs foam so I can put the floor in. I am currently looking for white/black eggcrate to use, and for some reason all the hardware stores around here either don't have it or only have silver. So the pics still have the silver, but that is just for show until I can find white.

Here is a shot from the front without the fake plant


With the fake plant and final setup




From the top


Here is the second layer of foam I put on. As you can see there is a bit more shape to it, once this is cure I will be shaping a little cave/hide for the frog, as well as ledges for him to climb on.


After this is cured I will be starting the titebond method and finish the background and then onto the flooring and finishing decorating with some vines and other things to climb on.

[CLennerton]

So the second layer of gs is all cured and I got around to shaping it. I created a cave/hide for him and made a cliff edge/path that goes over the cave for him to climb up on. I also had to cut a bunch of it off so that it will fit with the waterfall. There was a lot of taking it in and out of the tank to reshape so that the waterfall would fit properly but I got it. This week I will be getting the titebond, coco fiber. and moss to finish the background. I will post pics later, don't have my cord here with me...

[CLennerton]

I need a little bit of guidance here. Seems like the hardware stores around here (theres like 5) do not carry titebond. However they carry LePage. So I grabbed a hold of this one here, after reading everything on all of them, this one seemed like it would be the best bet for the background. It's non-toxic, and it will harm the foam, and says it is a high strength bond. I just want to know if this will work the same as using titebond. A quick response would be awesome as this is my only day off and wanted to get the background done today.....much appreciated for the help

[CLennerton]

I did a search online and compared the two...they seem to be pretty much the same...anyone have any experience with it?

[CLennerton]

Ok since no one was able to help me out on this one, I just went ahead and tried it out. I used a mix of fir and peat moss for the background. I bought it already pre-mixed so I just needed to add the glue and the water. I then applied it to the background and let it sit for a couple days to harden and cure.

After thoroughly washing everything I then put the background in the tank along with the waterfall and the fogger. I set everything into place and used rocks in the pond area to help the guy get out when he gets in the water. I also used a matting to go over the eggcrate to stop dirt from going through. I got this at one of my jobs. I used zip ties to hold it into place to the eggcrate so that it would not get moved around by the dumpy.



Now onto the substrate. For this I used a mix of the fir and peatmoss I used for the background as well as a brick of Exo Terra forest moss. Threw it into a bucket with some water and let it sit for 15-20mins and then stirred it to remove clumps.



Put the water in the tank first and then put in the substrate, and turned on the waterfall and fogger. I also added in some accessories for the guy to climb around on, plus there is a ledge above the cave/hide I made as well.

Pic of the left side looking into the tank.



Pic of the right side looking into the tank. I have the fogger and the pumped blocked off with rocks so he will not get a shock.



Here is a shot of the tank from above.



And finally here is a shot of the tank from the front.



So I am going to leave this for about a week or so to let everything settle properly, and I want to monitor the temps and the humidity level before getting the dumpy. I also need to get a screen cover for the top to stop the guy from getting out.