Terry's 24x72x40 Build w/ pics

[no694terry]

better photos

[no694terry]

as of last night. My wife started getting all worried because I was rushing to get it together. Todays here birthday and she thought i was going to get her a Lizard. LOL

The waterfalls not running in photos but once i set in the glass and put the acrylic lids in the RH held steady at 80% and temperate at 70 without lights on. I was pretty happy with this so i set the glass in for last time and siliconed all around it so just waiting for it to dry and get home from work today to allow lights and waterfall to run together and see where I'm at.

[EvilLost]

It is looking good, but that is the easy part. Making the tank last and be low maintenance is the hard part.

I am still concerned about the use of spraypaint (esp if you get a tropical amphibian) and would be curious how it holds up under the water. The entire vivaria and aquaria community as far as I know goes to extreme lengths to make safe "foam rock" for use underwater or in amphibian setups...I would be hard-pressed to believe that a little GS and some spraypaint hasn't already been trying unsuccessfully

I don't quite get whats going to happen with that gravel and the background still....I can see the waterfall, but you have left no room to plant in your background and it doesn't seem thick enough (or any places to) dig holes into it. What is the bottom going to be...just a shallow pool of water equal to the depth of the gravel? more? or are you going to have a substrate over it ? How hot are you planning to keep it exactly? It does not look like enough gravel to be a drainage layer so I am assuming you are not using a substrate...which is where you have lost me




What plants are you planning to put into it? Where are you planning to plant? I saw no drains are you planning to just siphon water changes? how are you going to filter the water? Any air circulation? Seems not...Have you decided on an animal? Lights generate a lot of heat and with no vents or internal fans...I imagine it will get hot fast (for comparison, my 2 T8 bulbs have a 20F difference on my 29gallon tank when the cpu fans are turned off and the top of that tank is open)

I don't mean to be pessimistic, and it is coming together nicely. But there are a lot of longterm and maintenance issues that I do have that I don't see how you will address...very curious to see what comes of this

good luck!

[no694terry]

im still trying to find a small fan for inside. i was looking at the battery operated tent fans in the camping section, would rewire one to run off an old model train transformer. or I'll just end up with CPU fans. the substrate i have, its just not in yet as i don't want it absorbing any of the silcone, paint or stain fumes until they're dry. water changes down via shop vac. Its how i do my reef tank and works nicely. plants are basically up to my educated local nursery person tells me i should get unless someone on here can recommend some. animals will be anoles.

i not concerned about the painted GS. the only concern i have is what the UVB from the lights will do to the coloring. I got two of the tropical 30" T8 fixtures from petco

[EvilLost]

-use CPU fans for air circulation

-anoles (unless you are getting some special species) are SO basic that I am 99% sure they don't need UVB bulbs (not positive but almost positive)

-i would *NOT* trust the nursery person. these setups are not typical garden setups.

-there are tons of "safe" plants...not really sure what you want on a recommendation. what are you looking for? cheap and easy? I would suggest plants, but I still don't understand how/where you are going to plant them so I can't really....

-just an FYI, you can buy the fixtures WAY cheaper at walmart. Its just the bulbs you need to buy from petco/wherever

-what kind of substrate are you planning to use? you are going to cover up the gravel completely? If so, I can pretty much guarantee you that your drainage layer is not deep enough.

-what is your substrate mix? you know that you can NOT use "standard" potting soil or such mixes right?

[no694terry]

looking for leaf litter and cpu fans. tank holds at 90% humidity and glass looks like the mirror after a hot shower.

[no694terry]

Soil mix FYI

Tropical Floor Mix
This type of vivarium substrate is intended for use with tropical species that live on rich soils in the wild. The Tropical Floor Mix is virtually the same as the Forest Floor Mix, but with added coconut husk chips. The coconut husk chips provide additional drainage and aridity, which make this substrate ideal for those tropical plant species with such requirements. This type should also be biologically active, and tough enough to withstand the wear and tear of use by the inhabitants.

In a large container, mix the following with de-chlorinated, spring, or deionized water:
2 parts decomposing leaves, including newly fallen and highly decomposed layers.
2 parts orchid bark, Xerimulch, or equivalent Fir Bark.
2 parts coconut husk chips.
1 part ground coconut husk fiber (expanded, see below).

optional 1 part sterile vivarium mixture (such as Jungle Mix brand).

Create the Forest Floor Mix described previously, and add the additional coconut husk chips to the mix.

Once the mixture is created, it should be lightly packed into the vivarium. It should not be packed firmly into the enclosure, as it will settle a bit with time. A little compression is fine, though. The surface can be shaped into small or large hills and crevices for a more natural look and feel. Rooted plants, mosses, leaf litter, rotting logs, and whatnot can be added as well, as required by the particular species intended.

[EvilLost]

That is a basic mix which should be high draining...

the point of vivarium soil broken down...
-leaves (you can skip this and save energy, but make sure you SEED WITH MICROFAUNA after)
-orchid bark (increases DRAINAGE while maintaining moisture! very important)
-coco husk chips (don't need both these and orchid bark, they do the same thing)
-coco fiber (aka "coir" this is used as "dirt" b/c it is clean, moisture retaining, and neutral...fantastic stuff!)

One consideration I would add is to consider adding finely ground NATURAL (wood) coals. You don't need very much at all. Also, I personally add SHREDDED long-fiber sphagnum to further up the moisture retention while draining....it depends on the actual setup and the plants going into it tho (be careful, get the clean stuff NOT the stuff "preserved" for floral decorative purposes)


I still don't understand where you plan to put the soil....directly on top of the gravel? You have no drainage layer ***You can not let the substrate/soil mixture stay in standing water*** most people use a false bottom for weight, but since you are using gravel i would just add more.

Looking back at your pics, it looks like the left side has a "raised" foam area whereas the right is lower down. I am guessing you plan to plant this side and leave the right as a pond? if so, that will probably work but the foam will NOT act as a drainage layer. Don't think b/c you raised it up it will suffice....GS/expandable foam is CLOSED-CELL foam which is water-resistant and although it will drip through it will not do so quickly, causing your soil to sit in water.

I think it will work but you will need to add more gravel/drainage to wherever you want to place soil. Your drainage layer should be at LEAST 1-2" deep. Since your setup has no other forms of drainage, I would consider a little more 2-2.5" deep


but I think I'm still confused on where exactly you are planting/putting hte soil....


you can get leaf litter and pretty much everythign else you need at many dart frog suppliers

[no694terry]

the gravel on left tops off about an inch above right side water line. then on top of it is fiberglass screen and then 4 to 5 inches of substrate. the 3-4 inches up top and a couple 3" thick patches elsewhere. all the areas are drained and lined with some gravel covered by screen then the substrate. the patch to the right of the water fall stays pretty wet so i'll keep water loving plants in mind for there. i installed two 120mm case fans above glass blowing down across the glass, i had to add a small screen section up top by the fan to draw in a little bit of fresh air or the glass would never clear up, didnt seem to effect humidity i may just have to mist more, the humidity stays between 80-90%.

right now my issue is heating. the tank stays a 70 all day/night, which is confusing because my house is about 74. Could i install a reptile lamp up in the corner or something to get the day temps ups???

[Mink]

krylon fusion is considered "reef safe" by the majority in my experience.

while i know that is not the ultimate endorsement, i do find it acceptable evidance that it is ok to use in vivariums. further it is non toxic and inert once cured with no conditions to avoid