Panamanian biotope - build log

[Dwent]

Hello everybody!

Please allow myself to first point out the inspiration behind this build.
When it comes to planting I will be using plants that are from Panama and this is where I have begun the research.

Second, for those who wanted to know, this will be built for a Red Eye Tree Frog. The tank that I'm using is a custom made acrylic/plexi container about 10 gal in size (will confirm this when I get home and measure).

More details to follow..

Thank you for your interest.

[Dwent]

Here is an MS paint picture of the design I am going for.

Planning on getting the construction started this week, gathering materials at the moment... Be posting pictures as soon as they are taken. Will be researching plants this week as well.

[beckdg]

i agree harry has been an inspiration to us all... he and heweshort are pretty much the go-to guys as far as plants are concerned around here as you might already know... sounds like a fun project.

looking forward to see some progress soon, keep us posted.

[Dwent]

hello again!

some work has started on this build:

first getting the false bottom fitted to the tank. used some zip-ties to hold everything together.


then getting the screening in place to keep my substrate from falling down under.


nothing like a 2year magazine subscription to help keep things in place.


i'd say its coming along nicely (admittedly a bit slow) for a first build. so far i've got the false bottom put together with the false back (not pictured), and both are sitting nicely together covered in GS. i have also attached to the false back the tubing for my water feature.

next step is to get the stones for the waterfall in place, then i'll start applying my moss/coco to the background.

[jpstod]

Looking forward to seeing it finished

[Dwent]

been a slight holdup this week with building... my angels had some eggs that hatched and i needed to prep a tank for them.
these fry are just a few of the ones i managed to rescue from hungry parents. (i'm guessing about 50 in total).

these little guys are from the last surviving batch: roughly 2 months old, just about the size of a dime.


more updates on the build to come soon i promise!

[Dwent]

After a bit more work and some progress i've got an update!

Moss! You can see the water feature right next to the section of wall that has been covered up so far. You can also see where I've made the wall come out from the corner using a false back, which allows me access to the heater and pump.




I've run out of silicone, so that's all for today. I'll be picking up some more supplies and creating a better defined plant listing in the next few days. Most (or all) plants will be ordered online, if anyone can share some past experiences with online plant dealers it would be greatly appreciated!

well, until next time!