New vertical vivarium build log with pics

[bbehring]

Ha, I can't afford the snack!

[Adventure King]

I have a bunch of moss growing around a playground on our backyard that has grown stalks with spores on them but am not sure how to harvest them and cultivated them, is it just pull off the stalks and throw them on some moist dirt out in the sun? Or something more complicated? This could be the chance I've been waiting for for my tank that I'm building.

[beckdg]

i usually just take the moss and the substrate it's growing in and toss it on top of my substrate in my viv. same can be done with a little moist/wet coco-fiber in a container with a clear lid by some light.

[peddro]

its alright to take moss from outside? and i was wondering, how are you mounting the lights? i have a similar project on the go and am not sure where to put the lights...

[little98dime]

you have to be careful taking moss from outside. you should treat it with CO2 after harvesting it and then let it sit in a moist container for a couple weeks. then CO2 treat it again. moss can harbor snails and other hard to kill pests.

[peddro]

alrighty thanks. and as for lights...the uv cant go through glass right? so how would we mount the hood without removing the top(originally the side) piece of the tank?

[Adventure King]

Not sure, I imagine I could remove the top with a razor. But I want the hood to be removable for maintainence. Does Plexiglass block uv rays?

Ah the joyful wonders of Christmas and family aprecciating my addiction. Because of them the light hood has a chance of getting finished!

[Adventure King]

I was thinking, perhaps I could put mesh over the top of the tank and make an acrylic door. Then I would need a computer fan for airflow but wouldn't have a problem with blockage of UV.

[beckdg]

Originally Posted by Adventure King

Not sure, I imagine I could remove the top with a razor. But I want the hood to be removable for maintainence. Does Plexiglass block uv rays?

Ah the joyful wonders of Christmas and family aprecciating my addiction. Because of them the light hood has a chance of getting finished!

Originally Posted by Adventure King

I was thinking, perhaps I could put mesh over the top of the tank and make an acrylic door. Then I would need a computer fan for airflow but wouldn't have a problem with blockage of UV.

at this point, i would just pick a species and build to suit it's needs. most frogs/amphibs won't need uvb given they'll have semi-regular d3 supplements to help adsorb calcium. knowing you're critter will get by on d3 lone will certainly remedy your uvb situation.

[Adventure King]

I feel so uninformed. Turns out that there is a major reptile expo that happened a little while ago. I guess I'll have to wait till next October, which would be a good idea so I could let the tank fill in.