Some new equipment for my vives...

froggsong · #1 (**permalink**) 07-28-2008, 01:49 PM

I am going to be adding to this thread as I come across new things that I'd like an opinion on...

First, this looks AWESOME, would LOVE to have it, and it is less expensive than the hood I currently have (if I had paid full price for it). Has anyone else used this product, if so, how well does it work?: Exo Terra Light Cycle Unit (Max 2 x 40 watts)

Jason · #2 (**permalink**) 07-28-2008, 04:41 PM

I picked up one of those but havent had a chance to use it seeing my Viv blew up

, but if i recall correctly Waterkeeper also has one working on his 44

froggsong · #3 (**permalink**) 07-28-2008, 07:16 PM

omg, it blew up?!? what happened?

froggsong · #4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 12:28 AM

Anyone ever use birch bark in their vives? I was looking at cork bark and one of the links in the search had birch bark, and I took a look at this site: Birchbark

What do you think?

froggsong · #5 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 01:14 AM

How about this misting system meant for cultivating moss? From the pictures, it looks almost like fog it is so fine. I think I might contact these folks and see how fine the mist is. It can hook up to a regular hose. They also sell a timer, but I'm not sure if I would want the extra expense, I could just turn it on once a day or however many times I need to until I get the humidity stabilized. Here's the link: Moss Acres: Misting Kits

On another note,

my frog tank's humidity is finally beginning to stabilize in the main area of the tank (the humidity is high in the water section). It is staying at a good 45% between misting, up from about 20% a week ago. Shouldn't be much longer before I can get it where I need it.

Jason · #6 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 06:46 AM

We have a birch forest here in northern Canada and the bark is paper thin, these guys peel it in layers i suppose and wouldnt be more then 1/16 - 3/16 thick, this bark would also be subject to degradation much faster.

As for my tank lol https://www.vivariumforum.com/communi...=misadventures . to sad to retype.

That " Moss Acres " kit looks interesting enough , i will take another look at it see if i cant DIY something that could be used at ground lvl in the tank.

froggsong · #7 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 02:52 PM

Do you think that could be fitted ABOVE the tank, to work like the more standard misting systems?

Jason · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 06:52 AM

Aye, it sure could, but that would take away the originality of the units primary application of misting the moss at a ground lvl and it would then become a standard misting kit.

froggsong · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 02:35 PM

lol, of course it would... For considerably cheaper than the mist king kits. It also comes with a considerable amount of line. I think that it looks like a very fine mist (very fog-like) in the pictures, so I don't think I would have the issue with it being more of a rain than a misting. Also, I think that some of the heads could be strategically placed throughout the vive to mist from the bottom up. It is going to be a large enclosure (36"x30"x48") and there will be multiple levels, so I could place a head on each level to water the entire enclosure. I really may go ahead and buy it, I think it would be a good system. I think it would suit my needs better, because I could install it in the CWD enclosure, then run some line over to the frog/toad enclosure and install it there too. Then I could mist both simultaneously.

Ok, so the list of equipment to get so far, from what I have listed, is the Exo Terra Light Cycle Unit (Max 2 x 40 watts) and the Moss Acres: Misting Kits.

Waterkeeper · #10 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 03:21 AM

I do own this... It is hard(impossible) to fire up fluorescents at dim light. they need a "POP" of power to fire up the phosphors in the bulb, so the dawn simulation leaves a little to be desired. the Dusk phasing off is pretty cool and
much easier on the bulbs as the phosphors are already lit.
The automatic setting timer is great, turn it on with the switch at 10/12/14 hours and it automatically sets to turn on again at that same time every day. it has a test feature, and I believe it has a safety that won't allow the ballast to fire if the bulbs are burnt out. this keeps it from frying your ballast if the bulbs are dead. I know the hagen T5's have this feature so i think this does too..
I would have liked longer cords both for the power, and for the bulbs.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.