My daughter and I were given an 18"x18"x24" Exo-Terra terrarium for Christmas.. And I think we decided to go the dart frog route. We had various other pets over the years, but nothing with live plants or an Eco-system. I've spent the last few weeks on here reading and envying everyone's builds. Finally, giving it a go.
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We live in SWFL.. So, we have native Cypress trees and driftwood. Picked up various pieces I found over a few days. Also, found some Palm Tree roots.
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Always loved the way moss looked in a vivarium so copied Grimm's idea and built an access tunnel and some duct work. The access tunnel would allow for a pump to be installed for a waterfall feature, a fogger, and provide access to the bottom of tank.. when needed.
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Framed out a small water area using Egg Crate and zip-ties. I left an opening so I could install pump through access tunnel. Created a barrier out of black expanding foam covered with silicone and coco-fiber. Egg crate will be covered with a subsrate barrier to help with filtration.
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
Positioned the access tunnel and duct work together and covered with expanding foam. Added a few pieces of wood, a 3" net cup, and a few palm roots while still wet. Thought it would be neat if I could get the waterfall to follow the curve in wood.
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Added more wood with lots of silicone and more foam.
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Did a little carving..
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Checked position and planned on adding more net pots. Used a dry-erase marker on the outside of glass to guide me when foaming.
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Checked position again..
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Did some more carving and added drains to all the net cups..
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
Used black silicone to coat the foam, then covered with coco-fiber.. Pressed the coco-fiber all over to ensure good coverage..
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/04/ypyruzyt.jpg[/IMG
Added tubing for fogger (yellow arrow) and reinforced waterfall path with Titebond III wood glue (red arrow)..
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Gave bottom a rocky look using carved foam.. Covered with wood glue and a light sprinkling of coco-fiber.
![Click the image to open in full size.]()
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This is where I'm at.. Still have to get waterfall, fogger, and misting system running. Once that's done I'll be doing a hydroton, substrate barrier, ABG/springtail mix, then leaf litter bottom.. That'll be followed by the planting of the tank.. Then hopefully not to long after that few frogs!!
I've never attempted anything of this nature and am hoping it turns out well..
- Robbie
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
We live in SWFL.. So, we have native Cypress trees and driftwood. Picked up various pieces I found over a few days. Also, found some Palm Tree roots.
Always loved the way moss looked in a vivarium so copied Grimm's idea and built an access tunnel and some duct work. The access tunnel would allow for a pump to be installed for a waterfall feature, a fogger, and provide access to the bottom of tank.. when needed.
Framed out a small water area using Egg Crate and zip-ties. I left an opening so I could install pump through access tunnel. Created a barrier out of black expanding foam covered with silicone and coco-fiber. Egg crate will be covered with a subsrate barrier to help with filtration.
Positioned the access tunnel and duct work together and covered with expanding foam. Added a few pieces of wood, a 3" net cup, and a few palm roots while still wet. Thought it would be neat if I could get the waterfall to follow the curve in wood.
Added more wood with lots of silicone and more foam.
Did a little carving..
Checked position and planned on adding more net pots. Used a dry-erase marker on the outside of glass to guide me when foaming.
Checked position again..
Did some more carving and added drains to all the net cups..
Used black silicone to coat the foam, then covered with coco-fiber.. Pressed the coco-fiber all over to ensure good coverage..
[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/04/ypyruzyt.jpg[/IMG
Added tubing for fogger (yellow arrow) and reinforced waterfall path with Titebond III wood glue (red arrow)..
]Gave bottom a rocky look using carved foam.. Covered with wood glue and a light sprinkling of coco-fiber.
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This is where I'm at.. Still have to get waterfall, fogger, and misting system running. Once that's done I'll be doing a hydroton, substrate barrier, ABG/springtail mix, then leaf litter bottom.. That'll be followed by the planting of the tank.. Then hopefully not to long after that few frogs!!
I've never attempted anything of this nature and am hoping it turns out well..
- Robbie
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD