Some questions

[Natural Solitude]

My poor bullfrogs are finally (eventually) going to get a bigger home. They're currently in a 20G long tank, and it's just not big enough. A local nature center was giving away some tanks, and I managed to pick up three (I really wanted the huge one they had - maybe 45 or 55 gallon tank! - but was not able to fit it into my ride's minivan, which also had 3 teenagers in it. *LOL* And I'm kicking myself for forgetting to grab their scrap sheets of glass, which I also really wanted to use as dividers).

Here's what I got:

another 20G long tank - which will be used for crickets. They're currently in a 10G tank, but I want to be able to order more crickets than I usually do. Especially with winter approaching FAST.

and two other tanks - one tall rectangular, one tall hex (with a stand...yay!). I've not been able to find out the sizes of these tanks. The local pet store said they're "probably" 35G tanks, and are no longer being made....which brings me to some questions.

Assuming the rect. tall tank IS 35 gallons (it measures approx. 24 1/2"L x 12 3/4"W x 24 7/8" H), does anyone know of a ready-made screen lid that would fit those dimensions? I believe the 20G screen lids are 24" x 12", correct?

For those who have completed a hex tank, what did you use for a lid and lighting system? The dimensions of this tank are approx. 25 1/2"H, with a diameter of approx. 18". Each side panel is about 10 1/8" wide.

I'll probably use the rect. tall tank for the bullfrogs - until I can get my hands on a really big LONG tank for them. The 20G long tank is better as far as floor space, but the height just isn't very good for creating enough land and water for both of the frogs. I thought about giving them separate homes, but they were raised together from tadpoles, and still occasionally huddle together. But the hex tank I definitely want to have a lot of plants AND water. (The frogs' new tank probably won't have a whole lot of plants - just enough. Ren fancies herself to be an interior designer and landscape architect. And Michi is more of a bulldozer than a bullfrog. heh heh) I am even considering building the hex specifically for red-eye treefrogs or some sort of dart frogs - haven't decided which yet.

I really liked my original idea for the bullfrogs' current tank - of creating a raised platform of sorts for the land area (deep enough for Michi, who prefers the land area, to burrow), and allowing the entire bottom of the tank to remain a water area (which is where Ren prefers to hang out). I know eggcrate is what most people use. I'm having a bugger of a time finding any that I can afford - definitely no eggcrate to be found locally. Someone else has suggested plastic canvas that is usually used for crafts, but I think that would be too flexible in this case. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Another question I had is if anyone has tried the "bronze" GE Silicone II? If so, does it look decent...meaning, does it blend in very well with backgrounds and such? We just had a Lowe's open up locally, and they happened to have the GE II in clear (white), black, AND this bronze. (There was an almond colored one too, but that might have been GE Silicone I, not II.) I used both the black and clear/white in my first attempt, but wasn't happy with either of them. If no one has used the bronze, I'll try to let you know how it turns out.

Yet another question...(sorry *LOL*) - which pump and/or filter do you think would work best for either of these tanks? The hex came with a pump already installed, but I haven't had a chance to test it yet. It looks very old. In fact, I looked it up on the manufacturer's website, and they don't even provide support for it anymore. I'm thinking of using the Zoo Med 501 - the one with the spray bar. But instead of using the spray bar, I'd like to split that line with a manifold, creating both a drip wall and a stream. I WANT an external filter - I had shoulder surgery, and was told I may not fully heal for at least a year (ugh!). (I know...NOT a good time to try another palu-build *LOL*...but the frogs NEED more space NOW.) My thought is, if I use the 501 filter, then I won't NEED another pump. Any other thoughts on this?

I know I had other questions, but can't think of them right now. OH! Except this....where can I get the Great Stuff Pond and Stone??? I doubt anywhere locally would have it...we're in too rural of an area. I'll definitely try posting a build log when I start working on these tanks. I'll probably start with the (presumably) 35G rect. tall tank. The hex might have to wait until the shoulder heals....IF it heals after all of this.

And trying to come up with a lighting system and screen lid is going to be a challenge for me.

FYI - I would like to create a background (maybe for both tanks - but might leave the hex mostly open-viewed) with GS (covered with silicone and coco fiber or something similar), as well as integrating driftwood into the background. I am pretty certain that I know how to accomplish what I want - the problem is finding the materials I'd need...with the raised platform-type land area being probably the biggest challenge for this type of background. My reason for using this type of land area is because the bullfrogs need their water area to be 4-6 inches deep, I think. That's too high to just rely on hydroballs or terra-lite. That's what I ended up with in the first tank I did - because the raised platform materials weren't strong enough - and it just doesn't hold up very well with these frogs.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Sorry for the LONG post!

[beckdg]

cuss me out and call me nancy if i don't get back to you in the morning. i am wiped tired and can't concentrate. the kids wore me out in the yard today.

[Natural Solitude]

*LOL* Okay, beck.

[beckdg]

tank volume calculator and more... Aquarium and Fish Tank Volume Calculator ... it says your 35 is 33.64 gallons. probably a 30 unless you measured inside.

hex sizes... Chart of Tank Sizes ... although i'm not seeing one that exact size. i'm thinking yours may be custom... or old. or you're measuring your outside and it's a 15 show or 20 high tank.

for a list of where to buy odds and ends... good places to buy... please add to it! ... i'm still working on it slowly. i would check the sites listed for your hex lid/light.

i don't have a 20 gallon or a 24" X 12" but my lid on my 10 gallons aren't 10 X 20 as stated either. they're oversized because of the "rings"/trim around the top that hold the glass in place. it's likely a regular tank lid might fit your tank. if you can get one locally it's likely you could return it if the size was a little off. hopefully someone here can give you their measurements but we're a small community. a large fish forum is likely to give you several responses within an hour or 2 in regards to measurements on their tanks.

you could call or email lllreptiles too. they carry the 12X24 and should be able to get the dimensions easily. Screen lids

there's always the option to make your own lids/hoods but i don't think i'd want to do that after shoulder surgery myself either.

for the egg crate i would call my local home depot and ask to speak to the pro desk. these guys don't work nights so do it before 5 for best results. reference it with "drop ceiling light diffuser panels"... square holes... white. the sku # on the east coast is 381 358 that might help, it might not. if the pro desk can't help ask them to transfer you to electrical.

bronze silicone comes out looking like a metal flake car paint. almost like it has glitter in it. it is definitely bronze too so the color's not too natural. if it were covered well i don't see a problem with it but once it starts washing away it wont blend well in my opinion. i would go with the black or almond or just use the ge 1 silicone... it should be fine.

here's a list off of the great stuff website. if you have any of these stores near you i'd call them and see if they carry pond and stone. Where to Buy if there are places that specialize in pools or ponds near you i'd call them and ask too.

menards should carry replacement impellers for old pumps if you can get a hold of them they might be able to help.

for a pump i would consider head height and flow rate. you'll probably not be pumping too high so if the head height is over a foot higher than you need to go i wouldn't use it. that would blow water like crazy. another thing to consider is the depth of water needed to run the pump. if it needs to be as deep as you need it then evaporation could easily become an issue that could ruin your pump.

small waterfall pumps are an economical choice and can be found in a variety of locations. one could also use a hang on back (hob) canister if necessary. that should give you the ease of care of a regular hob with the versatility of a canister. then there's internal canisters also. if you were to build your water feature around one it would make maintenance just as easy as a hob. the downside is they do take up a little room in the tank. all in all i don't think the 501 is the best filter but it's good enough if that's what you want to use.

for my filters i never use the "replacement media" that's made for them. i find it's usually a waste of money. i'll get replacement blocks for a filter sump, polishing pads that you cut yourself, micron filter pads, etc.. typically you pay less per volume that way and the product you get can be used much longer if not indefinite. plastic kitchen scrubby pads are a popular choice for a first stage and are very inexpensive.

for background instructions/ideas there are stickies on this site, my favorite link in my signature, black jungle builds and i like to refer people through the 3 following threads. it's one link and you'll have to follow the links i post to get the bigger picture... Blue/Pink foam board

[froggsong]

If you are worried about the footprint of the tank and whether or not you can make the water AND land deep enough for them, I have a solution for you IF you can find the eggcrate.

I built a topper out of eggcrate for my CWD tank. As soon as I can, I'm going to foam it so that I can use it again. You can build an open fronted box with some sort of openings to get down lower in the tank, then foam it to make it hold humidity, and at LEAST double the size of your tank. You could do multiple levels, have the entire bottom as a pond, etc. I think that this is something that should be done more often. It is not terribly expensive, easy to construct, and very versatile. You can even make it removable (the box should sit inside the tank frame where a glass top would rest), which is great for tank maintenance. You can take a look at the bare bones of mine here.

[Natural Solitude]

Thanks to both of you!

We don't have a Home Depot. (They were going to build one here years ago, but it fell through.) But we DO have a Lowes and Menards. I wish I would've realized I could get the GS at Lowes when I was there the other day - will have to call and see if they have it, then borrow a friend's vehicle again to get up there. (Actually, I was at both places the other day!)

Don't know how I missed the post about where to buy stuff. Thanks, beck!

froggsong: I thought about the topper idea too, but I think I can get the results I want - like you said - IF I can get the eggcrate.

I don't think I'll have any problems with the background. I pretty much know what I want and how to accomplish it. It's just integrating it with a platform that's difficult to work out - again, without the eggcrate.

I did pick up the bronze silicone, but am glad I thought to ask how it looks before using it. When I'm able to get back to Lowes, I'll exchange it for the black.

Thanks again, beckdg and froggsong!

[beckdg]

your welcome kathe!

i hope everything works out for you.

[froggsong]

i think i can come up with some suggestions for eggcrate alternatives. What stores DO you have nearby? Wal-Mart? give me an idea of what you have available store wise and i'll get creative.

[Natural Solitude]

We have a Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe's, Menards, Shopko, Walgreens...ummm...Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Big Lots...Kohl's, J.C. Penney (mostly just clothing at Penney's though), M.C. Sports, Dunham Sports, Gander Mountain...and others, I'm sure. Hard to think of 'em when I don't get to them very often. *LOL* None are within walking distance, unfortunately...except maybe Shopko and Walgreens. Ugh...I need a vehicle!

I'm heading out to physical therapy right now, so I will try to remember what else we've got around here. There IS a nursery of sorts, but they're closed for the season, I think...and they really only carry plants, flowers, gifts and Christmas trees. No pond supply places that I know of.

[Natural Solitude]

I did look around Wal-Mart, Lowe's and Menards for some sort of tough plastic crates that I could at least cut up, but found nothing in a workable size.