New 36x18x24 exo terra w/stream

cthayne · #1 03-02-2011, 06:46 PM

Here is the project with nothing more than a false bottom and my wood piece in place to plan out the water feature
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This is my first actual build and I have been using this forum as my sorce of "know how" and expertise. I figured I would put up pictures of my progress and hope that you folks would give me ideas and feedback as I go along.

cthayne · #2 03-02-2011, 06:47 PM

Ok, I guess that in order to post pics I must first figure out how. Can anyone explaine to me how I can add pics from my personal computer?

cthayne · #3 03-02-2011, 07:27 PM

OK, I figured out the picture issue. I had built up the river bed and covered it with grout along with the background. (sorry, I failed to take pics along the way) I have installed two tubes into the tank. One at the top of river and one underneath false bottom. I plan on using a external canister filter the keep water clean and pump.
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I have since painted the faux rocks and background and will put up pics tomorow.
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Grimm · #4 03-02-2011, 07:56 PM

Looks like a good start. That is grapewood, and will mold over quite badly without a lot of circulation and a drier environment. Try different types such as ghostwood, mopani, or malasian driftwood.

cthayne · #5 03-02-2011, 10:27 PM

Thanks Grimm, I have actually read that grape wood will mold over, but have also read that it will go away after about a month. Is that true? If so I am willing to give it some time to acclimate. If it will alway be moldy then I will definitely be looking for some new wood pieces.

Tindomul1of9 · #6 03-03-2011, 09:57 AM

OMG, that is exactly what I want to do! Use an external canister to power a stream.. Question, what is grout? Where do you get it? How do you apply? And is it water proof? THanks, sorry for all the questions.
Currently I am finishing my false bottom. Its harder work than I thought.

cthayne · #7 03-03-2011, 10:24 AM

Hey Tindomul1of9, by grout I am referring to the same grout you use on tile floors. You can buy it at any Home Depot or Lowes etc. Do a search on the forum for "grout", and you will get a lot of advice from people who know a lot more than I do. I plan on either putting down pond liner or silicone in order to make it completely water proof. You can use some non-toxic sealer for water proofing but I believe they will all break down over time. The canister I am using is the Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter 500. It has adjustable valves to control water flow. I did a test run and in order to achieve the flow I am looking for I have to keep the valves wide open. If running your canister under your viv (in cabinet) like I am, I would recommend the model 700. It would give you more adjustability. That model is harder to prime than others I have used, but it is at a nice price level.

cthayne · #8 03-03-2011, 10:35 AM

Here I have painted the faux rocks and roughly place some of the plants I have for my viv. I will keep the background black but add some color for texture. I am waiting on a rather large order from BJ and moss from moss acres.
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I am trying to catch you all up to where I am at now. I really am not building this over the course of a few days, I promise.

cthayne · #9 03-04-2011, 11:11 AM

In this pic I have the viv as far as I can take it for a while. I am waiting for some plants to come in from Black Jungle. Also, I will definitely be replacing the (already molding) grape wood. I would like to use ghost wood but that is impossible to find locally so I will need to order it. Kind of a bummer as I have designed the river around the shape of the wood. I guess I should have done more research in the forum.
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This is a close up of the head of the river
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Tindomul1of9 · #10 03-04-2011, 11:53 AM

very nice. i love the stream!