my attempt at a cork board background viv

cowboy232350 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 05:11 AM

I saw this idea on several threads and thought i would give it a try. this took about 2 months so don't be mislead on the amount of work that goes into it.

cowboy232350 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 05:13 AM

here are the remain pictures.

cowboy232350 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 05:32 AM

Ok so I know I am doing this all out of order but it's my first time posting a thread and it's been a head ache. I used a ten gallon tank I previously used for some bull frog tadpoles I had. First I bleached the tank out and rinsed it until the smell of bleach was out. After that I had to take all the adhesive off around the tank and during that I slipped and but a crack in the tank. I fixed the crack with aquarium silicone. Then I took my cork board and made a grid on the back to see how big the pieces would turn out. I used a box cutter to cut the back then snapped it with my hands. This technique doesn't give it a natural look but this being my first attempt I wanted to go easy that's also why the pieces are so big. I then laid the pieces out to see how I wanted to have them. Doug "Pumilo" suggested the shelf pieces. Also I need to give him credit cause it was his 75 corner viv that I first saw this idea. After the cork was set I had to install the front door which was more work than I would like to admit. From there I stuffed the spaces with moss. I did add to small pieces of cork bark so there wouldn't be a straight line down the center. I then put the branches of wood in. Then hydro balls and abg mix. Added my plants. The brom is in between one of the branches. Then I added my leaf litter. Sorry this is a lot longer then I ment for it to be.

Pumilo · #4 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 05:38 AM

Right on Tommy. Looks good. If we are going to worry about long threads then I'm in trouble!
Next time, to get rougher edges on your cork, just grab a pair of pliers and nibble away at the edges of your cork with the pliers.

cowboy232350 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 05:41 AM

Thanks and the next one I do I will try it out. I really like how it looks compared to other back grounds.

Pumilo · #6 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 06:14 AM

Now you need to dig up an orchid or two, or maybe some other epiphyte. Perhaps a nice vine and some bits of moss. This method is GREAT for mosses, epiphytes, and vine growth.

cowboy232350 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 03:55 PM

Yeah I used what little extra plants and trimmings from my other viv as I could but I want to add more plants for sure. I seem to struggle with moss I am not sure why. Any hints?

fieldnstream · #8 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy232350

I seem to struggle with moss I am not sure why. Any hints?

I've been having good luck using sodium bentonite/peat as a moss growing medium, not only does the peat grow, but other mosses that I shred and add in come up as well. You could try to spread a little clay/moss mix on some parts of the bg and see what pops up. I'm working on a similar build right now and will be filling the cracks between the cork pieces with clay mixed with shredded moss instead of stuffing with sphag.

Pumilo · #9 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy232350

Yeah I used what little extra plants and trimmings from my other viv as I could but I want to add more plants for sure. I seem to struggle with moss I am not sure why. Any hints?

Not much of a hint. I use the shotgun approach. Tuck a little bit here and a little bit there. Some shaded, some bright. Try a few different types. I get some to grow and some...not so much. Wherever you put it, I always tuck it into some sphagnum as most? mosses need to be kept moist. A misting system helps so it doesn't dry out. If you watch for Manuran's next offering, you can pick up a 5 pack of different, live mosses to try out. It may be a while though, as he recently offered a batch and quickly sold out.
I have used this eBay seller eBay My World - lhhdz5 before, to get live sphagnum moss. He offers it pretty regularly. His is not "frog safe" out of the bag, like Manuran's though. You do have to treat it for safety. I did a 10 minute soak in a 5% bleach solution. It promptly turned it all yellow but it quickly began greening up and growing for me. I can tell you that sphagnum needs a good amount of light to grow.

Shinosuke · #10 (**permalink**) 01-24-2012, 06:20 PM

Looking good! I used Pumilo's "cork mosaic" method, too, and really like the results.

As for your tank, it's kind of hard to tell with the small pics but I do like the branches going across the tank. What kind of wood are they? It looks like you have plenty of area to add some cool brom's and maybe an orchid or two!