125 Gallon Vertical Build Log w/Pics

[harrywitmore]

Let me start by saying that this is going to be a terrarium and there will be no animals in it.

I had a damaged 125 gallon aquarium that was missing one of the long walls. I had used it as a horizontal terrarium and was never really satisfied with it since it was not tall enough for me. Here are some pictures of it.










Over the years I neglected it and I finally just tore it down. I tried to give this tank away since it's located in an upstairs room and it was hell getting it up there. I was not going to move it again and it take up too much space when horizontal. So, I decided to make a vertical terrarium dedicated to the plants of Panama. I have been working on a plant list and that is an ongoing process.

I wanted a tree to be the centerpiece and I liked how roots look when growing over rock and stones such as you see in Anchor Wat. So that's what I'm trying to replicate.

I started by removing the wood back and making it the front. I will use a piece of glass I already have for a front door. I used the same piece of wood to create one side. I then found a piece of wood to used as the base of my tree. This is how it looked at that point.









I then found a nice stump to use as the top of the tree.





I then added some more smaller pieces of wood and foamed it to get the look I was after.










I have now started the process of covering the foam with coir pressed into black silicone on the foam










I ran out of silicone so I will pick back up once I get some more.

[butwhosetoblame]

looks good so far

[beckdg]

hurry harry hurry, we wanna see!

[harrywitmore]

This is actually the first time I have used the silicone and coir technique and I can say you just can't hurry. With something this size I have to do small spots and since I can't take this behemoth outside I have to stop when the fumes start making me relive the 60's. I hope to go and get more silicone this week.

[beckdg]

i know, i know... i just wanna see!

edit: it looks great so far. to quote ny kids again "i wanna see, i wanna see"

[mh32]

What kind of silicone are you using? The GE II has virtually no fumes.

[harrywitmore]

GE II from Lowes and it's very pungent. All of the silicone caulks have a pungent smell from my experience.

[Chu'Wuti]

Open windows or at least get a fan blowing the fumes out of the room so you're safe! Please!

[harrywitmore]

I actually had both and open window and a fan so it wasn't bad for long. The only time I found the fumes to be strong are as I was spreading it out. Funny enough, after covering with coir they seem to disappear. A couple hours later no smell at all so I was happy. I used to be a house painter in the early 70's and these fumes are nothing compared to what we used!

I'm off to get more silicone today so look for an update tomorrow.

[harrywitmore]

I got more silicone and now I only have a small space to do at the top.





I have been working on my plant list also. Here it is so far but I continue to work on it.

Anthurium clidemoides
Begonia glabra
Begonia serratifolia
Calathea micans
Callisia repens
Codonanthe luteola
Columnea allenii
Columnea arguta
Columnea gloriosa
Columnea verecunda
Columnea polyantha
Drymonia turrialvae
Drymonia serrulata
Drymonia variegata
Episcia cupreata
Episcia lilacina
Gloxinia (Koellikeria) ernoides 'Polo Polo'
Macleania insignis
Macleania glabra
Neomortonia nummularia
Neomortonia rosea
Peperomia blanda
Peperomia glabella
Peperomia hoffmannii
Peperomia pellucida
Peperomia tetraphylla
Pilea nummularifolia
Pilea involucrata
Rhipsalis baccifera
Selenicerius pteranthus
Tillandsia bulbosa (N)
Tillandsia usneoides (N)