bribo's vivarium project

[bribo]

Here is the start of my vivarium project. Its a converted 30 gal aquarium. I broke out the 4 sides and replaced with 40" tall glass, leaving a 24" opening in the front for access. I probably would have been better off ordering new plastic tank frames and starting new as the glass was very difficult to get out and the frames cleaned up to accept new glass. (we wont talk about the bloody fingers).

I wanted easy access to the water pump so I built a 3"x4" box well and a mesh screened water pick up that would be covered with foam and wood later. I used a garden fountain pump that could push water up the 40" to the top.

I used the expanding foam/black silicone method for constructing the base levels and the background. This took a long time.

I initially fabricated a home made bio filter that ran along the very top of the tank, that fed to two back wall trickle lines, a lower stream outlet and a main return under the tree root to the water "pond". I had a lot of problems however with splashing, unreliable water rates and siphoning, and weird gurgling sounds. I am currently re-thinking the filtration system. I dont want the back wall to be constantly "raining" I just want it wet.

Last pic is current state now with a few tester plants imbedded. Im re-working the top end after removing the filter housing, which will allow more light from the top. I ordered the "Ultimate Value System" from Mist King, and am awaiting its arrival.

To do:
Finish the re-working of the top of the background where the bio filter used to be.
Install the sliding glass doors to keep in the humidity,
build a new top with revised lighting.
Install misting system when it arrives,
Decide upon and install new water filtration system (external tank type).
Decide upon and add plants... let grow... grow... grow...
Lastly, Dart Frogs!

Enough typing for now, feel free to ask questions about my build!

Bribo

[D3monic]

Very nice looking!

[eos]

Pretty sweet job! What darts are you putting in there?

[Epiphile]

Wow- so did you basically just keep the bottom and the frames from the 30 gallon? It's tough to recognize as having been an aquarium at one time.

I really like the hardscape as well actually- it's neat how all the wood hugs the background closely.

Can you explain a little more about your homemade filter? Intriguing stuff. I'm also interested in your thoughts about why this system didn't really work out for you.

[bribo]

What kind of darts? LOL... I'm such a newb to frogs... I dont even know what kind to put in yet... I like the blue/black ones, my partner wants the white/black ones.. (I need to still educate myself on frog types) I would appreciate suggestions on good 'newbie' frogs to start with, and what wouldn't mind climbing around in the tall viv I've made once its established.

The bio filter was probably an ok idea, but the execution did not work because I did not consider the water return system very well when I plumbed it. I did not want too much splashing, so I plumbed a 1/2" return line from the outflow of the filter box (pic below) back to the bottom of the tank. However, I needed a tube twice that size to prevent the awful slurping and gurgling sounds it made. I now have the pump pushing water through in a closed loop and this has stopped the wierd noise. The filter box also blocked half my available top space for lighting.

Im open to suggestions for filtering the tank water.

[beckdg]

how much of that screen is exposed for flow through? that would help me determine whether i needed to use like an eco web and replace those bio balls or not. i think it would be best... that screen is permanent now correct?

[bribo]

Originally Posted by beckdg

how much of that screen is exposed for flow through?

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand the question. My pic above isnt very clear to how the box filter worked. Water would come in the far end (the bright end of the pic), flow through a block of pond filter mesh (screen?) then over the bio balls, the out through a drain tube back down to the bottom of the tank. I forgot to mention that I had to add a second pump to push water out of the filter box through the smaller trickle tubes, which added to the noise. Anyways, the entire unit has been removed and the only 'screen' left is at the base of the pump housing to screen out large debris.

Did I answer your question?

[beckdg]

Originally Posted by Me

how much of that screen is exposed for flow through?

Originally Posted by bribo

the only 'screen' left is at the base of the pump housing to screen out large debris.

Did I answer your question?

nope. that's exactly what i was asking about though.

plants and a good substrate may be your best filter here. epi web/eco web are just floor buffing pads. find one's the right color/coarseness for your application and you have most of your substrate and all of your filtration, and it's all before your pump keeping it cleaner/healthier longer. it will also keep debris from clogging that little screened in area.

you could put the right soil layer above that if necessary. check out marty's 90 gallon for an example.

[beckdg]

my fault, i meant leca, not bio balls...

[bribo]

Ah, ok I follow now.

I'm a bit beyond using the ecoweb as a substrate for this build, but I can add a thin layer under the gravel area to help with filtration. Perhaps about 1/2" thick.

Problem is that I really have no idea what the water chemistry will end up like once the tank is established. I'm feeling to err on the side of caution and install an inline canister filter such as Marty did with the 90 gal build.

My misting system shipped today! Need to get the background repaired and the front glass installed.