D3monics first build. Exo 18x18x24

[D3monic]

I bought my tank today. My LFS had a 36" exoterra in stock but it was $250. I ended up going with the 18x18x24. I picked up some great stuff and some moss to cover it in. I found a couple really nice peices of grape wood only to find out that its not suitable for wet environments It tends to mold easy...







I am still trying to decide if I am going to do a small water puddle in the front center for them or not. Probably not going to do moving water though. Looks like I need to go find some ghost wood or something that will work wet.



Definatly ditching the stock background for a greatstuff covered in moss one.

[D3monic]

Is there any other critters that can be mixed with the dart frogs? I used to keep day gecko's with my tree frogs...do you think they would be an issue with dendro's? Or possibly a smal newt if I did a water feature? Is there anything that is commonly kept with them?

[claymore]

I've heard that Mouring Geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris complex) can be mixed with darts. I'm not sure if this is true. Mouring Geckos stay relatively small and they are an all female species that does not require two geckos to breed.

[beckdg]

good places to buy... please add to it!

you'll find wood... i promise.

[D3monic]

Thanks for the links!

I stopped by menards and picked up a few supplies. 3 cans dap black silicone, 2 cans black GS and one can regular for big gaps, 2 sheets of egg crate and a stack of small plantable pots (didnt have the litlte mesh ones you guys use)


I will be GS ing the back and half of each side to get more virticle planting space. I will be painting the back and partial sides black tonight. Do you guys silicone the eggcrate to the back wall or is it just leaned up against it?

I really like the grape wood pieces that I had picked out..is there a way to treat them so they wont mold up? I want to GS them into the wall to make the bottom of a twisted trunk with a natural cave instead of a coco hut...kind of like this



The tops are open for a great place to plant a brom or something as well. Its hard to get the 3D feel in a pic but hopefully this conveys my general thought. I will probably do a few twised branches that dip in and out of the substrate to look like roots. Still trying to decide on what I am doing as far as a water puddle or not.
Can Exo's be drilled without cracking? I would like to put a drain in either the side or bottom.

[beckdg]

i don't know if they're tempered personally.

that grape wood is pretty thick. i might give it a go if it were me.

dap is crap. just my opinion but you've been warned. ge is a better caulk imo.

[D3monic]

I looked and couldnt find any GE....I remembered someone mentioning dap...must of been a negative review though... I will soak the wood and bake it to kill any potential mold spores. Right where my hand is I will add another branch leading up to the stump structure to give alittle more natural and 3D feel. I could probably cram my pommeranian in that cave. I did some research and The manufacturer claims that it is not tempered and that it is drillable but will void the warrantee.

[beckdg]

sounds doable to me. be extra careful though as it's thin glass for it's span. also make sure you put a towel or some foam on the glass below where you're drilling.

[claymore]

Menard's doesn't carry GE silicone, but Home Depot does! I would return the Dap and go with GE.

But thats just my own opinion.

[little98dime]

I've tried dap and agree ge is the better brand. Dap for whatever reason didn't seem to stick too well to plastics, including the rims of tanks. But again, that's just my experience.