My First Vivarium: I NEED IMPUT FROM YOU GUYS!!

[erlese@yahoo.com]

Alright everyone. This is my first day photos. The Water Feature, ( Carved out of the Styrofoam from a hobby shop. Four Holes are Placed for ( Plants) ( Square hole in front of the stream is where some vines will be planted so the hang down- Like a curtain. Any suggestions and changes. PLEASE feel free. ( What plants would be good, something I could add??)

The custom Tank is 24 x 24 x 24 ( Should I go with Acrylic or Glass??)

What grass or moss should I used on the land area ???( that will stay green and flourish without it growing to long)

should I used a small vent fan?? or keep it dripping wet??

[Quack]

The waterfall looks awesome! You can use pothos for the vine and java moss for the land( it won't get long as long as you have something in the tank to trample it down, but if you don't keep it under control, it might take over your tank ). I definitely wouldn't keep it dripping wet(that causes mold), but it all matters on what you put in there, if its dart frogs, then it should be moist(yes, a small fan would work if you have something that causes very high humidity, like a misting system, but other than that it would be fine without one, i would think). Also, acrylic scratches easily, but you can drill into it without too much trouble(if you need to for cords or tubes), it can also easily be scored and cut, unlike glass. But, glass doesn't scratch as easily, is easier to clean IMO, and many people just think it looks better. I personally use acrylic, because I dont have the tools for cutting glass, glass is usually more expensive, and I'm always afraid of breaking glass, lol.

[erlese@yahoo.com]

Quack....Sorry it took me so long to reply!! you gave me some great advice!!! I am going with 2 Glass ( Zoo med) 18 X 18 x 24 with canopies. and then aaafrogs
makes some great conversion kits. AAAfrogs Conversion Kits

Im going with a false bottom ( so I can control my water features better) it just seems Hydroton doesn't seem to allow much space and causes the water to look a shade of color.

I am for sure going with Java ( As you suggested) and Riccia, Pothos, creeping fig,

[erlese@yahoo.com]

The conversion kits are for 10 and 20 gallon regular aquariums. ( and he has custom made Canopies with LEDs for the vertical.

[Quack]

sounds good, what are you planning on putting in there? and you said 2 terrariums, right? do you mean two separate vivs or joining them somehow?

[erlese@yahoo.com]

Phyllobates terribilis Mint pair, and Sky Blue Azureus ( different morph ) without the black spots from Herbatologic. Two separate vivariums with Zoo Med and 6 vivariums from AAAfrogs.com These guys have some great conversion kits. ( so if you buy a regular Cheap 20 gallon tank. these guys have youtube video feeds how to install. and they have commercial lighting LED canopies for the vertical set ups.. I decided to go with a Dart Frog room. I ( think im on drugs) just laid down $6,000 to build.... Arrrhhh will send more photos.. but your advice is awesome!!! Java is the standard im going with in all my tanks..

[Megan]

This may be an extremely annoying question for you guys (I'm really new to all this) but what do you cover the foam with before building up the substrate?

If I was to carve out something like this for the base of my vivarium (whites tree frog) what would be important to keep in mind? I am starting everything in a 10 gallon take (baby frog coming soon - larger tank upgrade in about a year).