Crested Gecko Exo Terra 24" x 18" x 24" vivarium build

bbehring · #1 07-29-2010, 11:22 PM

Well, I picked up a used Exo Terra 24"l x 18"d x 24"h terrarium last week for a super price! Had some water spots on it as the previous owner kept a panther chameleon with a misting system. He only had the tank set up for 2 months and then switched to a screened unit so his loss was my gain!

With a good razor blade and water I was able to get all the water spots off the back, sides and doors. The hard water spots actually came off real easy!

So I'm in the planning, hunting, gathering stage of my viv build. At this moment in time, I simply have the terrarium. As the title states, I'm planning to keep a crested gecko, maybe a mated pair. My build thread will be modeled after grimm's vivs and the these initial pics which have a manzanita (ghostwood) root with the branches coming down into the water portion. I'm currently on the hunt for that special Manzi root piece. As soon as I find it, I'll post pics.

Current Plans:

Background constructed out of GS, titebond III wood glue with coco fiber and saragrassum moss mixed in for the top third and the titebond with a brown sand mixed into the bottom (submersed area).

I plan to drill the back with 2 x 1" holes for the incoming zoom med repti fogger line and the canister filter that I will use to run the waterfall and circulate the azuarium portion.

Lighting: Exo Terra 3 x 26watt hood with 3 x Walmart 26w T2s.

Meter: Exo Terra Combo Temp/Hyd meter

Right now my plans are to place the root in the middle and free fall the water and the fog down the root into the water. Will use red eco soil in the aquarium part and plan to plant mini anubias, with java fern. Fish: probably some small neons and a couple shrimps. The root branches will be facing and dangeling down into the water. I will of course use some gravel to provide a second area fro the gecko to get out the water if he falls in.

I think I'm convenced as to separate my land and water area using a false bottom for the planting in the land area with a buildup with egg crate similar to how Grimm did his.

Hope to have progress pics up soon, but not in a big hurry at this point.

All ideas, insight and info welcome!

bbehring · #2 07-31-2010, 12:45 AM

Anybody?

beckdg · #3 07-31-2010, 04:36 PM

bobstropicalplants.com should have plenty of manzanita to choose from... and some of your plants at a good price also.

i would go with a different meter, personally. i've never found pet hobby meters to be of any use except super high dollar monitoring/controlling meters and glass floating thermos for fish tanks. you should be able to get a decent digital from walmart/home depot/etc. for <$20.

bbehring · #4 08-01-2010, 12:01 PM

Beckdg: I'm really not set or sure on the meter selection. Is the zilla combo meter similar to the exo terra as far as accuracy or not? So they sell them at home depot?

also possibly considering a digital aquatics herp controller. Ran the reef version on my reef tank and it was fantastic, loved it. Not sure if I want to pop for the bucks on that yet though.

I think I may not drill the back of the tank and just carefully take my fogger supply piping and in/out from my canister filter up and over the tank. Will probably build a vertical riser box tower in the center out of egg crate, foam, and coco fiber background to allow the piping to come into it from above. This will also allow me to access the seperate waterfall pump and serve as the center feature of the stump waterfall. Will probably just use rigid pvc piping out and over the top (through the screen) and paint the pvc black with krylon fusion paint.

Am also considering a 4 x 24w HO T5 hood with 6700 bulbs in stead of the 3 x 26w exo terra hood. This will allow me a little more light for the water plants in the aquarium and the possibility to go to 2 x 10,000k fixtures for more crisp lighting look. I use these 10,000 k bulbs on my planted waterfall tank and love the look.

Thoughts? Input?

bbehring · #5 08-01-2010, 12:13 PM

Next time I head to HD I'll pick up the black silicone and GSF. Will then work to coat the back and 1/2 of each side panel with the black silicone. I still need to go on a trek to find my manzi root sump. I'm on the hunt... maybe this afternoon?

bbehring · #6 08-01-2010, 01:09 PM

any ideas/recommendations for plants? I'd like to go home depot / lowes or local nursery route if possible.

beckdg · #7 08-01-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbehring

Beckdg: I'm really not set or sure on the meter selection. Is the zilla combo meter similar to the exo terra as far as accuracy or not? So they sell them at home depot?

also possibly considering a digital aquatics herp controller. Ran the reef version on my reef tank and it was fantastic, loved it. Not sure if I want to pop for the bucks on that yet though.

I think I may not drill the back of the tank and just carefully take my fogger supply piping and in/out from my canister filter up and over the tank. Will probably build a vertical riser box tower in the center out of egg crate, foam, and coco fiber background to allow the piping to come into it from above. This will also allow me to access the seperate waterfall pump and serve as the center feature of the stump waterfall. Will probably just use rigid pvc piping out and over the top (through the screen) and paint the pvc black with krylon fusion paint.

Am also considering a 4 x 24w HO T5 hood with 6700 bulbs in stead of the 3 x 26w exo terra hood. This will allow me a little more light for the water plants in the aquarium and the possibility to go to 2 x 10,000k fixtures for more crisp lighting look. I use these 10,000 k bulbs on my planted waterfall tank and love the look.

Thoughts? Input?

Next time I head to HD I'll pick up the black silicone and GSF. Will then work to coat the back and 1/2 of each side panel with the black silicone. I still need to go on a trek to find my manzi root sump. I'm on the hunt... maybe this afternoon?

any ideas/recommendations for plants? I'd like to go home depot / lowes or local nursery route if possible.

i just wouldn't buy a temp/rh gauge made for pets at all. most likely a bad investment no matter which one you get ime.

a controller is up to you. if you like it and want it, why not?

fogger supply sounds like a plan.

lighting sounds good. might not be needed to that extent, but more is usually better for your plants.

spunjin is selling some manzanita on aquariacentral as we speak. might want to check out his packages. single branches too which is easier to put together "that specific look".

while you're at home depot might want to consider your gauges and a timer also. should be better quality and/or price than those sold for critters on both parts.

for above ground plants check out some of these places... good places to buy... please add to it!

for aquatic check out the plant finder at aquaticplantcentral, plantgeek.net and tropicas website. also... keep in mind many aquatic plants will do well anywhere it's moist and humid, so can be used out of water. riccia for instance makes for a great ground cover once it acclimates.

froggsong · #8 08-01-2010, 06:53 PM

I don't know if you have them nearby, but Fred Myer's has ground covers on sale for 2/$5. Many of them are suitable to train to climb. I picked up several plants today, including a nice wire vine! I haven't been able to find that stuff for a long time. I might go back and get some more, I just love the look of it.

bbehring · #9 08-02-2010, 12:19 AM

Nope no Fred Myers near me... too bad, sounds like some great stuff! I might have to check out OSH

bbehring · #10 08-04-2010, 11:54 PM

Ok, picked up some small basket planters today to place in my BG. Will be building with GS and sticking them in, probably 4 to 5 of them. They are 2" basket pots. Is this too small?

Also picked up my T5 HO 4x24w fixture with 6700k bulbs today! Gettin there!