My first viv build

[BigWillieStyles]

Hello all,

I was going to buy a background for a frog enclosure but decided on doing myself after reading on lots of forums about it. I found some broken polystryene pieces at a local shop and managed to get them for only a few dollars. I cut polystyrene pieces and stuck them on the back. I also cut out grooves for the power cords to hide behind (like exo terra background have).



I also wanted to have a little waterfall, so I put in a piece of pipe in the corner.



I used plastic planters to make my enclosure design and then sprayed over them with expanda foam.



I also stuck some rocks down one corner, to make a drip for my waterfall.



I then painted black silicone over the top and then placed peatmoss on while the silicone was still drying.



I dusted the excess peatmoss off, then started planting some plants in. They are all different types of ferns. Unfortunately, the top plants have started to look a bit unhealthy. So I moved the enclosure from my living room, which I thought may have been drying the plants out with the heater which is in the room (its winter in Australia). Im spraying heaps of water in and Im attempting to heat the tank to around 18 - 25 degrees. Using a water heater to heat the tank.

Instead of having a soil substrate bottom, I have used river stones ontop of finer gravel. Im hoping that will be sufficient for the frogs im looking at getting.

These pictures dont do it any justice, and im sorry that they are so dark. I will take some more tonight. You can see the waterfall in the background which is connected to a small filter under the water. I only turn the pump/filter on for an hour a day just to increase humidity. The pump was actually more powerful than I expected, I was kind of expecting a slight dribble but it still a really cool feature. The tank will hopefully soon house some Australian Red Eyed Tree frogs (Litoria chloris).










Let me know what you think?

William

[trayp]

I think its nice. I plan on doing something similiar with the same Zoo Med tank for some red eyes. I already GSed the background and added planters and I'm thinking of doing a little to each sides to add more plants. I want to setup up a pond just as you did and planting a few crypts and some floating plants. Are you going to put fish in there and if so what kind???

[B Jet]

looks great! what kind of animals? i like your method of planting normally terrestrial plants 'epiphytically,' but do you have drainage holes through the foam under the pots in case of over-watering? And if the plants on top suffer, it may be from too much direct heat and/or light, especially if that's an incandescent bulb. You'll want a humidity guage up there near the top, it can get quite low under a hot light. most of those ferns are mid-low light, high humidity. though looks like you're able to switch them out easily if they don't work well in that location...

[BigWillieStyles]

I think its nice. I plan on doing something similiar with the same Zoo Med tank for some red eyes. I already GSed the background and added planters and I'm thinking of doing a little to each sides to add more plants. I want to setup up a pond just as you did and planting a few crypts and some floating plants. Are you going to put fish in there and if so what kind???

Thanks mate, the zoomed tank is really nice. I was planning on getting an exo terra but changed my mind as the exo terra one has a plastic divider in the mesh top which makes a light on top difficult to sit. Also the zoomed one has a nice single door that looks great. Not sure about fish, but I wanted water in the bottom to make it possible for the frogs to spawn.

Originally Posted by B Jet

looks great! what kind of animals? i like your method of planting normally terrestrial plants 'epiphytically,' but do you have drainage holes through the foam under the pots in case of over-watering? And if the plants on top suffer, it may be from too much direct heat and/or light, especially if that's an incandescent bulb. You'll want a humidity guage up there near the top, it can get quite low under a hot light. most of those ferns are mid-low light, high humidity. though looks like you're able to switch them out easily if they don't work well in that location...

Thanks mate. Australian Red Eyed Tree frogs (Litoria chloris), hopefully soon too. The plants do have drainage holes. Also the light on the top is a 2.0 UVB light for the plants and frogs. It doesnt really produce any heat. The tank has pretty high humidity and fogs up alot. I do spray alot of water over the plants to keep humidity up.

[Grimm]

Looks pretty good.

You may want to rethink that fern you have though. They are incredibly fragile and the frogs will rip it apart, and most likely fall when the leaves break.

Good choice on that lower plant. They will really enjoy those big leaves.

[beckdg]

looks good.

[BigWillieStyles]

thanks guys. Yeah I was hoping the upper plants would bush up a bit. But they dont seem to be doing very well with the high humidity so I might be changing them if they dont look up soon.

The lower plant with the big leaves seems to be doing ok. Its a Birds nest fern. Im hoping the leaves get a little bigger too!

Anyone recommend any plants to replace the top ones? I would prefer something that will grown quickly. Maybe a creeper plant of some sort would be nice.

I reallyed enjoyed making this viv. I think I might make another one but with a desert theme.

[BigWillieStyles]

The viv now has three Australian red eyed tree frogs

[xixon]

I love your viv...... & the last picture, is fantastic!!!!!

[B Jet]

agreed, very nice pic. your camera must be alot better than mine... Eventually i want to figure out night-time photography, cuz all my guys are nocturnal