This is my frist vivarium and thanks to forums such as this I learned what they are, and how to build them. I'd like to start by thanking everyone that took the time to post helpful information and their builds, I would not have been able to do this without you. This post is my contribution back to the community for what it has given me.
So my first "vivarium" was a simple 10 gallon tank I threw together for a pair of brown anoles, which I placed in my daughter's room for her enjoyment. However within a couple of weeks I wanted to upgrade!
I knew *nothing* about vivariums, so after a few minutes with Google's help, I found forums such as this and websites such as Black Jungle.
I purchased an Exo Terra 18x18x24 at my local PetsMart.
And after a few hours of work...failure. I was ready to give up. I put alot of work into building out a filter box to hold a Zoo Med micro pump. It worked when I tested it. Then I add all my substrate and get ready to start planting, and somehow the Zoo Med HydroBalls made their way through the custom filter box and into the pump, it was ruined. If it was this fickle even inside a custom filter box, I can't imagine trying to run it the way the Zoo Med waterfall kit tells you, where they want you to just bury the pump directly under the Hydroballs.
So I ditched the idea of any kind of waterfall or custom build, and just added substrate and plants. Looked OK, but I wasn't really happy. I wanted a waterfall, but more importantly wanted to feel like I really built something instead of just putting some kit together.
So I tore this tank down and pondered false bottoms, egg crate, GS foam backgrounds, etc. Here's what I did.
False Bottom
I created with egg crate from Home Depot. I tried cutting out a few variations of a small water feature, waterfall exit, etc. I finally decided on a simple cutout near the front right corner for a water feature.
I didn't want to silicone the bottom sides of the tank to hide the eggcrate, so I opted to paint it black.
Background
I'll use the existing Exo Terra rock background and modify it. It has dual channels in the back for pump tubing which I like, and it's natural rock shape will give a nice affect when attaching substrate via silicone.
I applied silicone in small patches to the background for various small chunks of driftwood, none of them over a couple of inches long - these will be used for plant attachment and ledges for any critters I may add later. I then coated the background in a equal part mix of Eco Earth (coco), Fir Bark (smallest size I could find), and Jungle Mix (fir and sphagnum peat moss). I believe this gives a nice composition to hold moisture, attach plants, and allow for any vine or other creeper to easily grow up the wall.
The pump I am using is a Zoo Med 501 external canister filter (never again will I put a pump in a vivarium after the HydroBall incident!). It uses 7/16" tubing, so I used an exacto to enlarge the existing rear background channel which is desiged to accomodate 1/4" tubing. I used silicone (the tape you see is only to hold it while it sets) then I further braced it with Gorilla Tape.
Quick shot of work area....I can't wait to be done and claim my living room back.
Waterfall
I wanted a very natural looking waterfall, and I found 2 pieces of wood (1 driftwood and 1 african root wood) I liked. One had a natural "cliff" to it and area for water to collect and spill over, the other provided a nice waterfall background for moss growth and attachment. I attached them with a single screw and silicone, and covered those areas up with more of my background mix.
The waterfall is a little "heavy" and I use that term loosely, and it is quite secure without needing any attachment of any kind. It is sitting slightly at an angle to the background I don't believe it will budge even with critters climbing all over it. However if I find that's a possibility over time, I will secure it further. For now though, it's not going anywhere.
The water fall sticks out about 1/3 way into the tank, I really like how it turned out, I hope you do as well.
Assembly and Water Test
I assembled everything and did a quick water test. Here's a front and side shot of the waterfall and the small water "pool" in the front right of the tank.
I added a layer of black figerglass mesh over the egg crate bottom, and then thin layer of fir bark, followed by the same mix I used for the background. The first time I built this out I used all Eco Earth coco-fiber, and I didn't like how it made such a fine grainy bottom, I put my two lizards in there and it just seemed to stick to them and get in their mouths when they went for crickets, so I like this mix a little better. Still gecko safe but provides a nice draining substrate.
Fogger Test
I am fascinated with foggers and how they make a tank seem to become it's own little rainforest, so after some research I purchased a Zoo Med Repti Fogger. Here's the fogger test. It works "very" well, and contributes to my "no equipment in the tank" philosophy. For some color and initial growth, I strung some java moss over the wettest areas of the water features. I have read where java moss can really grow out and take over a tank and require "mowing the lawn" so I will be watching it like a hawk.
Day 1 Full Tank Shot
Here's everything put together and running, day 1. Power and control are provided by a digital timer strip with day/night settings. Lighting is provided by 2 compact flourescent bulbs, combination of UVA/UVB 2.0 and 5.0 Exo Terra.
Things I Like Best About This Build...
I am glad I went with the 18x18x24. It's size will easily accomodate a pair of crested geckos or dart frogs later down the road.
I really like how this tank can be fully and completely dissasembled in minutes and returned back to stock (except for the modified background of course).
I also like how I have no electrical equipment in the tank, both the fogger and waterfall pump are external and whisper quiet. Maintenance is a snap because of this. It's also a very quiet setup, you only hear a small trickle of water when standing next to the vivarium, that's all.
Things I Would Like To Improve...
I am not terribly excited the way the front right water pool turned out. I like how the driftwood has a "root" growing down in the water, but something just isn't clicking with me yet. Maybe after it grows out I'll like it more, we'll see.
I wish I could have put a couple pieces of larger driftwood directly into, and sticking out of, the back wall. The weight however would pull it forward, and I didn't want to silicone the wall in (remember I want to dissasemble this tank on a whim if I need to).
I am not happy with the size of tubing provided by the Zoo Med 501 filter. I wish it was 1/4". I did convert the tubing down and tried it, but the pump had a hard time priming and I could hear it occassionally due to air or something, and the flow ended up being a little less than I wanted. It was challenging get the screen attached because the Exo Terra filter guard at the top has holes cut out for only 1/4". I found a way to make it work, but it's a realllly tight fit.
Future Plans....
About another inch of substrate, maybe a tiny bit more coco fiber mixed in, will be added soon for planting.
I will be adding various plants in the coming weeks, starting with patches of frog moss along the bottom. It will be fun perusing sites such as Black Forest. I have a butterfly/hummingbird garden and an herb garden in my back yard, and I love adding plants and watching them grow and become their own little miniature environments.
Maybe crested geckos or dart frogs down the road, after the tank is fully established and growing out well.
..........
I hope you have enjoyed this build thread, I certainly had ups and downs with it but in the end I think it was worth it and will be a great source of entertainment and learning for my daughter and I.
Thanks!
-james
One more thing...what happened to my first vivarium from the very first post in this build? My first planted tank after a few weeks of growth....this little 10 gallon planted experiment was alot more work than I originally thought
but it has been so much fun to watch all the life (plants, snails, fish, frogs and shrimp) do it's thing, and now after a few weeks of establishment, growth is linear, parameters are stable, and maintenance is very low. Enjoy!
Exo Terra Vivarium with Rough Green Tree Snake
Linear Mode
