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Thread: A new hobby... Vivarium Build!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    01-16-2009
    Location
    Corpus Christi
    Posts
    705

    Talking A new hobby... Vivarium Build!

    I've been wanting to get some (Poison) Dart Frogs for some time now, a few years actually, so I thought now is as good as ever! I began this whole process by researching EVERYTHING about the frogs including their habitats, foods, care, costs, etc.. Once I thought I knew a good amount I began researching more into construction of their habitats, or a vivarium. I knew I wanted this to be a specticle, something people would be like "wow" when they see it in person, and I wanted it to be 100% custom no store bought waterfalls or anything of such sort. After about 2 months of planning, learning the building process and stealing ideas from other custom vivs. I finally started mine with no intentions of actually putting frogs in it for another few months from now.

    The build:
    • I began with a 20g AGA which I took the top rim off of and cleaned up (LOTS of work!)
    • I cut eggcrate out to match my design which includes a false bottom, a space for a pond, a fake back and one fake side.
    • Once the eggcrate was assembled I used greatstuff to create the background and the "waterfall" which was then sculpted to my desire.
    • After sculpting I covered the greatstuff with brown GE silicone II and put dry coco fiber over the wet silicone to give it a natural look.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    LPS Addict
    Marine Biology Student: TAMUCC

  2. #2
    Join Date
    05-23-2009
    Location
    LaVernia, Texas
    Posts
    8,622

    Default

    very cool!
    Karin



  3. #3
    Join Date
    03-04-2005
    Location
    NE San Antonio
    Posts
    11,696

    Default

    moved this here for you

    very cool project. are you going to add a water feature?
    Ace
    The Shade Tree Craftsman



  4. #4
    Join Date
    08-29-2009
    Location
    New Braunfels
    Posts
    1,288

    Default

    WOW thats a pretty nice setup. Strange to hear you say it took a lot of work to get the trim off. Got it of my 30 in like 10 minutes top. But wow that eggcrate/foam/silicone background looks nice, those are gonna be some happy frogs. What are you doing for a top to keep the humidity in?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    01-16-2009
    Location
    Corpus Christi
    Posts
    705

    Default

    The build continued...
    • After finishing up all of the silicone and cocofiber I built a "cage" for the pump and set it all up.
    • On top of the eggcrate is window screen to prevent any dirt from falling into the water reservoir, on top of the screen is a 2in layer of expanded clay pellets for drainage with a thick layer of cocofiber/sphagnum moss on top of that.
    • Pots were imbedded in the greatstuff while I was doing that step to have a place for plants.
    The Future
    • I will be putting a piece of glass that covers half the top and a screen door on the other half to help with moisture and humidity as well as aesthetics (the glass will be on the front half so it looks like a glass cube)
    • A 2-bulb T5 fixture will be added along with a misting system
    • More ghost wood will be added to the land as well as some vines I like from here on campus.
    • Baby orchids will be placed in the pots on the wall, a small bromeliad on the ground and some moss and ferns here and there will all be added.
    • And last but NOT least a pair of Dendrobates azureus aka the Blue Dart Frog which are STUNNING
    Enjoy!

    -Jarob
    Attached Images Attached Images
    LPS Addict
    Marine Biology Student: TAMUCC

  6. #6

    Default

    very cool...........wish I would have thought of that back when I had my baby iguana in his little habitat.
    75 gal long. drilled with sump.
    all softies and random fishies.
    2 metal halides @300+

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