A 3 viv project??

[JoeG]

OK... got a fair amount of work done yesterday and today and was able to silicone in the background, cover the foam on the fake tree stump with coir, then I went to Home Depot to pick up some long fiber sphagnum to finish up the trunk and other spots. Enjoy!

Here is the "finished" background:



Also picked up some plants to round out the tillandsia's and neos I have waiting for this tank.

Tradescantia Zebrina (aka Wandering Jew)


Tillandsia Ionantha


Tillandsia Caput-medusa


Ficus Pumila


Unknown African Violet


Neos

[beckdg]

nice plant selection.

[JoeG]

Originally Posted by beckdg

nice plant selection.

Thanks!

I started planting tonight. I added the mondo grass, african violet and the colony of neos...I just love that 'colony' look rather than 1 or 2 standing alone so I gave it a head start! lol

Sorry for the crumby pic but my cell camera was all I had handy. I will take some proper pictures when its finished. Hope you like!

[JoeG]

OK... viv #1 is 98% complete, let me know what you think! I am hoping to get #2 rolling as soon as I kick this cold I got.

full shot



Neos


violet


mondo grass


Whats left?
Window tint to cover the background and drainage layer
Some bits of peat, etc.. to tone down the sphagnum
Leaf litter
springtails and red wigglers

[froggsong]

That's lookin' GOOD! I really like it. I love the part where the broms are planted. I've been needing some inspiration for my frog tank rebuild, and I think I just got a great idea from you.

[JoeG]

Originally Posted by froggsong

That's lookin' GOOD! I really like it. I love the part where the broms are planted. I've been needing some inspiration for my frog tank rebuild, and I think I just got a great idea from you.

THANKS! Glad you like it. I love planting broms like that, it looks so natural to me (and nature ) and yet I can't recall anyone doing it that way in their tanks. I am sure your frogs would love it so I cant wait to see it.

On the update front, I just finished up the window tiniting, It was a bit challenging but I got it done. I have to say, it looks a bit nicer than the silicone method I have done on my other tank but it costs a lot more and is way harder to put on than the silicone. I'll be finishing the last 2 tanks of this project the same way, but I am not sure I would do it again.

I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow and I should be going to get the second tank as well!!

[beckdg]

what was making it challenging? i might be able to shoot you some pointers. how was it expensive? it shouldn't cost more than silicone afaik. one roll should do all 3 tanks. that should take 2-3 tubes of silicone i'd think. shouldn't be much of a price difference there...

anyway, it does look really good so far.

[JoeG]

Originally Posted by beckdg

what was making it challenging? i might be able to shoot you some pointers.

Pointers...YES! Here is how it went down.

I started with the small section in the front, cleaned it reall well then wet it down with soapy water, peeled the backing off and did not reall have too much of an issue. There was a need to pay particular attention to the areas at the edge. The tint does not stick to the silicone and leaves a "flap" that needs to be carefully trimmed without having the razor go through the silicone and destroy the watertight seal. This is only a problem on the front and back, due to the way the tanks are put together.

Then I got to the big side and the MF'ers and SOB's started to fly right out of my mouth!

As I was dealing with a bigger sheet, when I started to peel the backing, it would fall off the glass and stick to itself. It was an uncoordinated nightmare till I figured out to lay the sheet down and spray it with soapy water and then CAREFULLY place it on the glass.

I think a lack of knowing and the need for a bit more flat work area would enhance the experience 10 fold. Anything else thats good to know?

Originally Posted by beckdg

how was it expensive? it shouldn't cost more than silicone afaik. one roll should do all 3 tanks. that should take 2-3 tubes of silicone i'd think. shouldn't be much of a price difference there...

Overall I am very satisfied with it, don't get me wrong. It look much better than the silicone and the 'zero' cure time/fumes is great. The cost might not be that bad if you dont make any BIG mistakes like I did. So in retropect you are right and I have to take back the 'cost more' comment and rephrase to 'MISTAKES cost more!'

I got a roll of 2.5% Tint from Auto Zone for $15. Its 6.5 feet long and 24" wide and is enough as you mentioned (if you don't count my BIG mistake! lol).

Cost compared to GEII, about $6-7 a tube is what I get it for, so silicone is in the same range but the tint was, by far, the better choice for me. With a background that does not go to the very top, its a cleaner look. Silicone would have looked a bit lumpy and would eventually get dirty/difficult to clean. This way, it looks like slick clean black glass AND its easy to clean inside.

Pics are coming today. I got side tracked with my daughters. That side track cost me my 12x12x18 exo-terra, $15 for 3 Hermit Crabs and several hours of 'crabitat' creation (fun stuff though!). Needless to say, I did not get my next Exo this weekend so it will have to wait about 2 weeks as I have a business trip coming up.

[beckdg]

$15? methinks you may have bought the better stuff. not necessary for a tank... unless that's all they had.

SOAKED... from the time you start peeling it off... that is the key.

a flat work space or a friend to hold the other end surely would have made life easier.

hmmm... silicone? did you tint the inside or the outside of the tank? outside is the way to go. thinking about it now it might have been a better choice to pick up a can of spray paint for the sides. not everyone blacks out the sides though, so that never really crossed my mind. my fault on that one. i do dread the day i have to peel the paint off moms tank i'm working on so, not the worst that could happen.

ahhh... the old hermit crab side track... happened to me at the fair last year. i can relate, lol.

how many tanks did you get done so far? i think you'll find the next tanks much easier now that you've already done it and have an idea what to watch out for.

[JoeG]

Originally Posted by beckdg

$15? methinks you may have bought the better stuff. not necessary for a tank... unless that's all they had.

SOAKED... from the time you start peeling it off... that is the key.

a flat work space or a friend to hold the other end surely would have made life easier.

hmmm... silicone? did you tint the inside or the outside of the tank? outside is the way to go.

I picked up the Gila window tint. It was the only 2.5% I could find so its not a huge concern. I did tint the outside, inside would have been a whole different nightmare!! lol

Originally Posted by beckdg

thinking about it now it might have been a better choice to pick up a can of spray paint for the sides. not everyone blacks out the sides though, so that never really crossed my mind. my fault on that one..

Nah, you called it the first time, Tint was the better way to go, especially for the side. Since this is a show tank which is going to end up in our family room, I needed to tint the side but trim it, similar to the silicone method. This will give you a view across the 3 tanks. Paint would not have looked as nice on the side.

Originally Posted by beckdg

ahhh... the old hermit crab side track... happened to me at the fair last year. i can relate, lol.

Originally Posted by beckdg

how many tanks did you get done so far? i think you'll find the next tanks much easier now that you've already done it and have an idea what to watch out for.

Agreed, it will be easier. I just have the one done so far. I was hoping to get the other tank yesterday, but I got crabs instead!!

With my trip coming up, I wont have the time to focus on the tank till I get back in mid July but it (the other exo) will go as fast and the last one. After that, I can start on the middle tank, which currently houses one of my geckos.

That middle tank is my very first viv so I will need to tear it down. It will also be a palu (current plan) so I am expecting a bit more time involved and some added expense since I need a good filter. I figure I will need a lot of help on the palu. especially around water treatment and care...also need some ideas on inhabitants. I was thinking some fish and I know I want it to be a planted tank. Maybe some cichlids? Amazon basin kind of look to it maybe.


After the tanks are done, I'll start on the base cabinet and hood in the plans.