First Viv with GS background for fire belly toads. With waterfall and plants. - Page 2

froggsong · #11 07-01-2010, 05:45 PM

You have done a wonderful job. Absolutely stunning! I think I might stick this, anyone else want to give it a vote?

Is that Irish Moss (not a true moss, just fyi) you have planted on the lad mass? I found some growing in my yard that I'm going to use with my frogs. I swiped a large spider plant baby from HD yesterday (his name is Gary

), I'm going to use that up high to trail over the BG like in yours. GMTA on that one.

I had no idea you'd be doing that, but it sure does look great.

I really wish I had a hex tank for my frogs, I think it would really be a show piece. I just love the shape of them and they make BEAUTIFUL paludariums. This has given me some much needed inspiration for my frog tank. I just wish I had some flat stones like you used. ALl of the native rock I have access to is round like rive stones.

Your aquarium is lovely as well.

bronzie8 · #12 07-01-2010, 05:59 PM

Thank you Froggsong, wow, I appreciate your kind words. Like I said, my Viv is all Thanks to this Forum!
When I bought the "moss" it didn't have a tag, but I new I had to have it. It is flowering all ready. It was very root bound, I had to cut the root ball in half and then I "ripped" it in half so it would flow over the edge. Yes, it is planted in the soil.
That's exactly what I did, the rocks came from a stream. The pet store wanted $2.50 a pound for some very nice granite, but it would have been $35..free is better!
Question, what would you recommend for lighting? Enough for plant growth but not too much light or heat for the Toads.

Thanks again

froggsong · #13 07-01-2010, 06:11 PM

The toads won't really mind brighter light, IME (I miss having some SO much, but all the pet stores around here are carrying European FBTs and I just don't like the look of them much). What kind of fixture do you currently have? Do you want to go with spiral CFLs or fluorescent tubes? Either way, 6500 or 6700 (better for my plants, so get those if you can find them!) work very well, and the color of the light is nice to look at.

Does the tank have a hood? If so, you can get dual socket s and install them into the hood and use CFLs.

Kharma · #14 07-01-2010, 06:16 PM

I think that this is sticky worthy. Wish i had a hex tank to do something like this.

bronzie8 · #15 07-01-2010, 06:28 PM

Right now I just have the hood that was on the aquarium when it had fish. Not much of a light, just a 15 w. plant/aquarium bulb. I think you can buy the bulbs on Ebay to replace the fluorescent bulb.
It has a glass top, but I am going to replace it with plexiglass so I can cut a hole in it for a small computer fan to keep the air circulating.
Have you ever tried using a regular humidifier and re-working it for use in a Viv? I read a thread about the process in this forum somewhere.

bronzie8 · #16 07-01-2010, 06:35 PM

Thanks everyone for your great ideas!

beckdg · #17 07-02-2010, 08:41 AM

noah would be proud.

bronzie8 · #18 07-04-2010, 09:09 PM

Ok, these pics are a little better. I took them at night when there was no light coming in from the windows. I have 4 Fire Belly Toads, 6 ghost shrimp and 4 guppies. I need to add more plants on the background. Probably will add an African violet, some more Broms, Ivy and air plants. The toads are doing great, eating and calling, even a bit of "action" going on all ready..LOL Looks like I will be building another Viv for the babies.

This forum has helped me start a new addiction. What a fun project this has been. Thank you everyone for all of your great ideas!

If you look close you can see 3 of the FBTs

BigWillieStyles · #19 07-05-2010, 11:57 AM

this is my first post on the forum, was doing some research for my own viv project. This tank is a masterpiece. Does the waterfall work like you expected? Does it double an affective filter?

bronzie8 · #20 07-05-2010, 08:53 PM

This is the best place for help and information. I have never put together one of these before, it took about 5 days start to finish. That is why I decided to buy this waterfall, I was going to make my own, but then I would have had to find a place to put the filter. There isn't a lot of room in this tank. It works great, there are 2 filters inside and a pump to push the water through, it works great.