Plans for my first viv

Misheru · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 01:42 PM

Hello everyone

So after using Great Stuff and thinking that it's not so Great Stuff, I have removed it from the glass of the viv and am going to give this another try.

First thing I am going to do is invest in a pair of gloves. I am still trying to peel Great Stuff off my hands. Then, I bought some black silicone from the pet store, and ordered from Fern Panel from Black Jungle. As soon as it gets here, I plan to silicone the panel to the back of the viv.

First question: I just apply the silicone to the back, press on the panel, weight down with some rocks or something, and let it cure for a few days?

After that, I have some LECA for the drainage layer. Will pour those into the bottom, about 2-3 inches, and spread a screen cover over it that I bought from the pet store too. Then, the substrate is ready to be added. I have plantation soil, coco husk fibre and Jungle mix (fir and sphagnum peat moss). I was going to make a 1:1:1 mixture and add about 3" worth to the screen cover.

Second question: is this a good mixture?

Then, I think I'm ready to plant the plants. I have Wandering Jew, Philodendron, Deiffenbachia and Polypodiaceae Ferns. The shorter Wandering Jew and ferns will go toward the front and the larger Philo and Deiff in the back. I will also situate a driftwood piece that I have in the back.

Third question: do I have to secure the driftwood (with silicone to the glass or something) or will it be okay planted a bit into the substrate?.

After that, I will put in a waterfall feature that I bought. I tried to make one, bought a pump and everything, but the cord wouldn't go through the little cord holes, so I just bought one. It was it's own water resevior. I will put that in, run the cord out... Wait, do I have to hid the cord behind my background (the fern panel)?

So I guess fourth question: how do I put this waterfall in exactly?

After that, I will put some java moss in, water it really well. After about two weeks, get me some RETF

Fifth question: will the tank cycle without the RETF? How long should I let it sit before putting in a frog?

Any other thought on the plans?

Thanks!

Dwent · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 12:14 AM

evening!

in regards to your fourth question... i'm working on a viv right now with a water feature. what i wanted to do was have access to the pump incase of maintenance or if i need to replace it in the future. so when putting together the back wall, i made it come out from the corner just enough to get my grubby mitts in to reach the pump. there's a crummy pic in my build thread that should help to visualize better.

Misheru · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:16 PM

Ah okay, thanks

WarrenPaul · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 08:33 PM

I would recommend considering heating elements.

beckdg · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 10:05 AM

sounds good... i would secure anything i could and do my best to make sure i can get to everything for maintenance

i would not forget heaters, timers, controllers... yadda, yadda... some are very simple and cheap, some can be very expensive... there are many options... you can go anywhere from day and night bulbs (white and red) at the right wattage to lamp dimmers to day/night timers to sunrise/sunset to uth to a ceramic heater and a light on a timer... many many options... consider who you are first (do you want to have to tend to/switch on/off a couple times a day as well as feeding and cleaning) then consider your budget (once you know how much automation is necessary for you to enjoy your setup you can look into how close you can get on your budget)

Misheru · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys

beckdg: a canopy came with the exo-terra terrarium. This guy from the pet store gave me two lights for it. One for the plants, and one heating, I think? I will have to double check when I get home. I also have a hydro- and thermometre. I think I will invest in a red light for the nighttime for him though, thanks

And I think an automatic misting system. Oh, and I'll be sure to secure everything with silicone.

WarrenPaul: like a substrate heater?

WarrenPaul · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 10:50 PM

Lolz. Pretty much was thinking along the same lines of beckdg. Various electronics etc., RETF's need a lot of temperature and humidity control, even more so than most other commonly kept amphibians.

I will probably be crucified for this by someone, but I actually use a substrate heater underneath the water source in my RETF vivarium (idea is similar to a water heater, but slightly more insulated and safer, as my RETF's like to swim), as it increases the humidity as well as the temperature. Additionally, I use a flukers temperature sensing control device that will cut all my heating elements when the desired temperature range is reached.

beckdg · #8 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 09:53 AM

the substrate heater is not a bad idea... bury it good as you will not want it as the primary heat source for an arboreal species.

if you are going to use that hood you may want to rewire it for separate inputs. that way you can control the outputs better (with a dimmer or controller for heat, and a timer for light or just to run the lights indepentantly).

this is the controller i use for pj... it works and you should need nowhere near 500 watts, so it should be more than enough (which is what you'll want so it stays reliable): Repti-Temp 500R Remote Sensor Thermostat: Black Jungle Terrarium Supply

this is probably what warrenpaul is talking about: Hydor Hydrokable Cable Heater 100W - 40/65 gal: Black Jungle Terrarium Supply

Misheru · #9 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 01:12 AM

Ah, okay. I'll have to pick up those items then. Thanks

beckdg · #10 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 10:51 AM

no problem... i might add that alot of us use the ge daylight spiral bulbs for our plants... it is not for heat, but works great for plant growth on a budget... i have tried everything short of buying a couple $200 t-5 fixtures... metal halide, incandescent grow, t-12, t-8, daylight, sunlight... the list goes on... i tried sticking to specific kelvin ratings, even nm ratings... i could have bought the t-5 fixtures twice by now... if you are planting these ge daylight spiral bulbs are great and nothing else near that cost compare... i even bought some bulbs from a local hydroponics shop... crap!

you will want them on for 10-14 hrs daily... 12 works great and is more universal animal wise... works best on a timer for consistency, but if your routine is consistent enough you could just switch it yourself... i think a ceramic heater on your other socket would be the best. they are VERY reliable and a lamp dimmer cord will get you your desired basking temp and further prolong the life. i find that bulbs from a pet store do not last very long and cost an arm and a leg. you could also use a red bulb for heat, but if it is bright enough it could stunt the growth/health of your plants. you could use a regular bulb, but then at night the substrate will have to get hotter than normal which is not exactly desireable as most heat should come from above. also the ceramic heaters last forever... no more going to the store for a heat lamp... almost ever... mine has been on for about 6 years constant and shows no sign of being faulty at all.

if you choose to go with the bulbs for heat and light i suggest you skip the pet store and get a red bulb from walmart as well as use bulbs you would in the house for daytime... you'll essentially get the same light. the bulbs will be anywhere from $1 for a 4 pack to about $2 a bulb instead of $6-$15 per bulb that were beaten in transit and may not make it through the night... i went through probably a dozen bulbs in about a month or 2 before i learned my lesson (i'm hard headed, yes i know)... just remember incandescent (regular house bulbs) are useless for plants for the most part.

i hope i am helping and not coming off as intrusive or pushy, but these are things most people don't know or aren't told... good luck and (when i have the spare time) you are definitely welcomed.