Ma77hew7's Vinotemp Wine Cellar Vivarium! WTF???

[Ma77hew7]

(Not a Whites Tree Frog build), ha ha...
Anyway, after my last build debacle. Ma77hew7's Face Forward Rock Relief Build I decided to scrap the 40 gal vertical conversion idea, (that I was looking to procure used), and look into other "on the cheap", options. Now I was toying with the idea of using an old refrigerator at first... I thought it would be a great start to a waterproof container. Then I hit the jackpot, as far as a shell goes.



I found an older, broken Vinotemp wine fridge on craigslist for $30!!! The thing normally runs for $200+! Needless to say, I was into it! The dimensions are roughly 18”x17”x28”, (WxDxH). Which is too my liking, as far as movable built vivarium size.


I started to deconstruct it, and found all sorts of goodies. I even got three small fans out of it! So after I took apart of all the frivolous hardware, etc. I started cutting out the inside.

Short caveat. I have to apologize on the lack of “stage” pictures in this posting. I started this build about 3 months ago, and shelved it a week in maybe after funds went south... How anyone has the money for a multiple thousand dollar build in these times is beyond me, lol! I'm having to froggsong this one! I meant that as a compliment btw...

Front


Back


Back on point. To allow me to have more interior space to work with. I decided to cut out the interior waterproof shell, and the horrid foam they used to pack in between the plastic shell and the metal. I cut the metal top off to work in a plexi lid later.



I then cut a plexi box out to serve as a good little water area for the future inhabitants, of which I'm not certain yet as to the variety. The water area dimensions are roughly 17”x14”x9”, (WxDxH). It holds about 5 gallons, if I remember correctly???

Interior


Interior left side


Interior right side


On the water area/ water features note. For me it is the most inspiring part of any build by far! It tends to make or break my opinion of the build based on how awesome it is. I loved JoeG's A 3 viv project?? The amount of water in his center Viv has been an inspiration to me in this endeavor. Needless to say, I wanted more water in this build than my others. I also tend to have more fun working on the water area, and water features than any other part of a build. IMHO it all revolves around the flow of the water, the paths, the sounds. It can, (and usually is), the driving force behind my enjoyment of the viv.

I then foamed in my saved rejects from my last posted build. A lot of cords/lines as follows; 75 gph pump, (lgs for $12 on sale), Hydor underwater heater, (amazon for $14), 12 output lines w/ the drip manifold, (lhs for $13), the siphon tube/ input line for external filter.



Then the fun part of using some random accumulated wet woods. Mostly procured for free. I 'm going to use some left over pods and one large piece of sale driftwood from another build. I might have spent about $25 along the way...



I'm about to where I was when I shelved her now...

I noticed that from moving it around the garage, (even putting junk inside). The last few months scratched up my front piece of plexi. So I cut it out, with the mind to have a glass shop cut a nice thick matching glass replacement piece soon enough.



More to come slowly but surely... Hope you enjoy

[little98dime]

*subscribes*

[Ma77hew7]

I feel like this build is a bit slow going... For that I apologize.

I had previously cut the plexiglass into a very tight fit in the box. It has held up well, w/ out water in it, lol. Figured it time for a permanent water tight seal.

I went down to my local plastics store, Colorado Supplier of Cut Acrylic, Bar top Coating, Fiberglass supplies and purchased my Weldon 16 tube for $6. http://www.ipscorp.com/pdf/assembly/AA16_LoVOC_2-10.pdf



Then ran a small bead along the edges of my plexiglass box. Note, this stuff uncured is hardcore. Don't be a doofus. Ventilation, respiration, or suffocation, lol. Just kidding, but seriously this stuff makes silicone smell like roses. To even out the bead. I cut a piece of an old shammy towel, and wrapped my finger then taped it off with masking tape. That way I did not have to wear gloves. I don't usually.

This picture below above is a teaser for some fun additions to come. All of the broken wooden toys, ($4 lhs). It also shows my favorite vivarium plant mesh pot's, ($4 for four of them, @ lgs).




The start of the new foamed additions. By the way have I used about 5 cans of gs so far, ($25 @ hd). The pots pictured were salvaged from my last build.




The filter return hose foamed in w/ the addition of 3 more pots.




The first long session of silicone w/ coco husk mix. So far I have not spent money on silicone or coco, (both from last build). Ran about $30 when I purchased.



Top view


More to come. Thanks

[Ma77hew7]

This update is focused on some wood & cork bark work...

I put together, what I call my “filter box", and “pump box”. Standard scraps of egg crate, (sprayed black w/ Krylon Fusion), zip tied together w/ fiberglass screen. I then cut the thickness of my cork into thirds, (to minimize my box dimensions). Then used silicon to place my cork pieces on the areas that will be seen on both boxes.



Pump box


Filter box in front



Filter box in place


Both in place






The boxes are made to cover the intakes of the water feature hardware, (pump & filter), to minimize the amount of clogging and junk that can jam up my hard work. I secure pond filtration media inside the boxes to catch all the debris. I have had a great deal of success w/ this method. For instance one of my builds has a very similar set up that has run smoothly for almost two years...

I also have been hard at work sawing, breaking, and grinding the wood that would extend my root base to the vivarium floor.





I cut the root additions, (& other additions to come), from one piece of wood, ($3 w/ coupon from lps). All of the other supplies are left over from other builds. Steady goes it...

[Luke.Fraizer]

this is looking very nice! keep up the good work!

[SAVivEnthusiast]

wow dude! its looking really good! can't wait ti see how it turns out

[komodoking]

Simply Stunning