First real build

Zegion · #1 07-21-2010, 07:47 PM

I was just about to go buy the parts to make a 30x30x40 viv for my new Tree Dragon and the wife called to tell me her sister gave her a 48x18x24.Not exactly what I wanted but I can make this work just fine and save some money! One side is cracked and needs to be replaced. I thought I could maybe flip it up right replace the top with plexi, and add a front to it. I have never had to build a tank before and would love some advise/ suggestions on adding the front to it.

froggsong · #2 07-22-2010, 12:26 AM

Are your measurements length (left to right) x width (front to back) x height? I only ask because s many people just toss the measurements up willy nilly and expect us to figure out which is which, lol...

Taller is better. They are tree dragons, after all. You want a BG that they can climb, and lots of branches up high, in the middle, and down low (dipping into the water if you put in a pond). I recommend at deep enough pond that you can have fish (guppies work well, they breed fast and are small enough to be eaten, except adult females), with a large enough surface area that he can swim if he wants, fish if he wants, and drop into the water if startled (if he wants!). My female always jumps into the water to get away from me when I try to catch her, lol...

If that's L x W x H, that sounds like a 90g tank. I'm so jealous! If it's one of the ends that's broken, that's perfect to turn it vertical. I would personally replace with eggcrate covered in screen (to maintain rigidity), and cover with plexi to retain humidity IF necessary. If you do the eggcrate covered in screen, the screen should be on the underside of the eggcrate to keep the lizard off the eggcrate (he'll hang from it, they like to, lol). You might see if you can get a light fixture to mount a UVB bulb inside the enclosure up at the top (probably have to be along the 24" side, I don't think they come in lengths less than 18") before you start constructing the BG. This will ensure that none of the UV is being blocked by the eggcrate (it's MEANT to block UV, and does a great job of it, if you put it outside, he won't get any at all, really), and give him a better area to choose how much UV exposure he wants.

For the front, you want a piece of glass or plexi, and depending on which you choose, silicone or that glue stuff that's for bonding acrylic. You want to put the piece of glass/plexi BEHIND the tank rim, so that the pressure of the substrate/water is pressing it into the seal, rather than away from the seal like it would if attached to the outside of the rim.

I've not mounted a door to a vertical conversion before, so I'm not really the one to give pointers on it. You should see how ghetto rigged my door to my big palu is, rofl...

Zegion · #3 07-22-2010, 01:15 AM

Sorry about that, it is 4' long 2' tall and 1' deep. I plan on turning it sideways and using the 4x2 as the front, and make my door on the right hand side for acess. And Yes! Water is a must. After watching your Dragon go fishing. I love to fish and I Climb Trees for a living so we already have soo much in common!. The wife even said hey you guys are perfect for each other! ROFLMAO!

Took pics of the evenings progress but camera died b4 I could get the pics to the PC. Guess I need to buy a new battery.

So far the tank is free of the broken side, some what clean and the chicken wire for the BG is bent. I should have lights Friday, so I can do the final tweaking on the BG. Might be able to afford the pump this week too. Already have the GS foam and my plants. Spider plant, Pothos, and the baby stag horns. Just need to decide what kind of moss I want. ( open for suggestions )
I need to figure out what pump or filter rather I need to get the water up about 3-4 ft.

froggsong · #4 07-22-2010, 01:39 AM

Sweet!

I'd check HD and Lowe's (and other HW stores you might have) for pond/fountain pumps. They are MUCH less expensive than fish tank pumps, and alot of times will last longer. It will tell you right on the package how high the fountain pumps can pump to whatever height. The Beckett ones are really good, so I've heard, I know that HD carries that brand.

As for moss, if you'd like, you can look at my album in the gallery titled mosses and ferns and see if there's anything there you'd like. I have many more varieties available, I just haven't taken pics of all of them yet, lol... I sell by the sq". Of course, you might have some available locally as well, but I don't know how much moss grows in Texas.

Also, if you like ferns, some Licorice fern would do WONDERFULLY in a tank that size, and it grows on tree trunks, so it does great mounted to the BG. I have a ton of it growing in my big palu with my Japaluras.

Zegion · #5 07-22-2010, 01:51 AM

I was wondering if ball moss would be safe? I started a collection of ball moss and over the past 5 years I have put them on all kinds of stuff. I'll check out your mosses too! There are only a few that you find around here. Don't get me wrong they are around but not readily available. TY for the help, I am sure I'll have alot mroe to chat about tomorrow and hopefuly dome pics!

froggsong · #6 07-22-2010, 02:38 AM

Interesting! That's a tillandsia that I've never seen before.

The mosses I have are actually mosses, lol... I bet you'll fall in love when you see the pics, but that's just me, I'm totally into bryophytes!

Zegion · #7 07-22-2010, 08:29 PM

I like the greenery a LOT! If I might ask, what mosses do you have in your Viv if any? And/OR what mosses would you suggest for my build. I can't find anything to buy at the stores around here and I'm not going to bring some wild moss in and take the chance. However Ball Moss intrigues me and as do the Stag Horn. If you can't tell I have a thing with trees and the ecosystems they host way up above your head. I am also looking into Epiphytes I want to get an enormous growth on some of the rocks I have collected through the years. But thats a whole story in it's self.

As far as todays progress on the build, I'm gonna chill tonight. Today was a long day. I climbed about 18 tress today and my arms can't take anymore!!!

I am going to go out and take some pics of the dirty tank and all it's flaws that way everyone can see what can be done with JUNK just laying around!

Zegion · #8 08-28-2010, 09:20 PM

Ok here are some pics of the progress. All that is left is sealing in the bottom to hold water, making the hinged door, adding substrate to the false floor and installing the plants. There are a few hides I am going to add made of coconut shells and firmly fastened to the background. I'll post more pics when I make more progress. Open to suggestions and comments. Enjoy!

The Tank 48x24x12 with the cracked top

The Silicone

Chicken Wire and PVC

Here comes the GS!!!

Grey Silicone for the waterfall and the pump hose

Coco-fiber added to the Background and a sneak peek at the false bottom

This was an experiment and I will be starting a new build as soon as this one is finished. I am not a big fan of the narrow and tall. Would really like to build a 2x2x4.