Evolution - 40G Breeder w/Eggcrate Topper

froggsong · #1 02-25-2010, 05:48 PM

I may have a thread posted about this already... Oh well.

Anyway. I did some work on my CWD tank a week or two ago, and I set it up as a palu with a FB. I even cut the tape away from the outside in the pond area so you can see the fish.

I don't have any pics uploaded yet, but I'll get them uploaded soon. I am planning on getting her topper painted (yes, painted) in the next few days, and I'll be posting pics of the FINISHED PRODUCT (finally!) then. This tank has been in the works for forever, it seems, and I'm happy to be almost done with it. I guess it won't be technically a finished product until I figure out a better, feeder proof door, but other than that it will be all done.

I'll see about getting the pics I have so far uploaded and posted tonight.

beckdg · #2 02-25-2010, 07:39 PM

looking forward to them!

perpetual98 · #3 02-26-2010, 08:26 AM

That's the same size tank I'm working with so I'm awaiting pictures!

froggsong · #4 02-26-2010, 12:49 PM

ok, ok! lol... I was planning to get them up last night, but I've been feeling like crap and going to bed way earlier than normal. I'll see about getting them uploaded right now.

Here's a link to the album in the gallery: https://www.vivariumforum.com/communi...at=591&ppuser=

Right this minute there's nothing but the old pictures in there, but I'm starting to upload the new ones now.

froggsong · #5 02-26-2010, 12:55 PM

It turns out all those pics are CRAP. I'll have to take some new ones real fast. I've added new plants since then anyway.

froggsong · #6 02-26-2010, 01:20 PM

Ok, I took some more pics. I just have to wait for my computer to install the software for my phone for the bazillionth time (every time I hook the darn thing up), and then I'll start uploading them...

froggsong · #7 02-26-2010, 02:10 PM

Ok, here we go...

First shot is before the rebuild (or at least before the replanting, anyway):

Next shot is after the replanting. Sorry it's not really a good pic...:

Here's one of the lady herself before the replanting. I hate how thin she is. I'm trying to put weight on her, but it's so hard to get her to eat... I think maybe I need to warm up the cage even more. I have a new light to install that will run all day and night, hopefully that will help boost her appetite.:

The rest are all closer shots of the tank, in no particular order:

froggsong · #8 02-26-2010, 02:19 PM

For now I'm just going to paint the inside with stone look spray paint. It's non-toxic and safe for foam, and I have used it in other tanks. I'm going to sand the skin off of the GS with drywall sandpaper, then give it a couple of coats. It should absorb into the foam a bit and make it look more natural than if it was just sitting on the skin. I have a grey one and a brown one, I'm thinking of using them together, some parts brown, some parts grey. I'll be painting the outside of the topper with black krylon fusion, that way it won't be so much of an eyesore. I want to paint the outside of the tank too, but I can't move it with that much water, wood, and dirt in it, and I don't want to completely empty it.

I think I'm going to have to make a new "roof" for the topper. I need to install the light that I bought INTO the topper, and I don't want to cut the screen top I have. The ones for that size are expensive... So I think I'm going to use a piece of eggcrate. How well will that hold up to the heat of the incandescents, you think? Because I'm going to use this heat lamp, I might not need as many incandescents, but I'll probably swap for CFLs for the plants. I MIGHT get rid of my light hood, I'm not sure yet. I might put it on the fish tank, use the lights that are on it for the frogs, and use the clamp lamps that are on the frogs for the CWD tank. That way I don't have to juggle placement when I install the heat light. I'm still not sure what I'm going to use to cover the "roof" to keep the moisture in. I'm thinking maybe plexi, with holes cut for the lights. That might not work though, the heat might be too much. I'll have to see. Anyone have suggestions for something cheap (or that I might have around the house, that would be even better) that would be less likely to warp or melt than the plexi?

froggsong · #9 03-03-2010, 04:56 PM

Ok, my back finally feels better enough that I feel confident to lift this baby! I've just finished my lunch, and now I'm going to go get started painting! Here's hoping that this cures enough in a few hours to put the topper back on the tank. I have no temp tank, and can't just toss her screen lid on the tank because if the tall plant, so she'll be free roaming until I can get this back up.

I'll be sure to take pics and go over the process when I post again. I'll need to set an alarm so I don't forget to be online for our moss discussion at 6 tonight (pacific). That reminds me, I need to post a new announcement!

froggsong · #10 03-04-2010, 08:09 AM

Oh
My
God...

You guys are going to LOVE this. I mean love love love it! I tell you one thing, I can't WAIT till I can get Riku into a bigger cage so I can put the Japaluras in this tank. They are going to look great in it.

Pictures coming soon.

You all know what a tease I am.

Riku ended up having to sleep over at Franky's house. She says that sand is a new one for her, but she likes it.

(jk, of course...

she IS in Franky's tank though. She kept disappearing in the house and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find her.)