Okay, I am going to try and make a journal of my 46 bowfront vivarium that is still in the works. This is my first viv. Hope it works! I used a foam+silicone+coco method with a false bottom and a pond with waterfall.
I started with 3 inch PVC and GS for the bottom. I bought some river rock from a wholesaler with some pieces of slate for like $5. I used gs to get the slate in place. Here is a pick of the pvc, gs, and the slate.
For the false bottom, I used egg crate and 7 mesh. I made the false bottom rectangular even with the bowfront so that I could use rocks to cover the false bottom.
I made a 'wall' out of eggcrate and gs so that my pump (minijet brand) for the waterfall could be accesible. I wanted the pump on the opposite side of the tank than the waterfall so there would be circulation of water under the fale bottom.
Here is a look at the tank from above, after the first application of gs (~2 cans). The waterfall tube is in place but not cut.
A closer look at the waterfall tube:
I made a cave out of gs by place a piece of pvc and covering it, then taking it out after the gs cured (a little more than 48 hours):
I applied more foam (this time 2 cans were fomo product) and inserted driftwood:
I applied silicone (DAP bronze, food safe) and added coco husk. It took several coats to make it all covered (letting cure at least 48 hours after each try). I covered the wood with blue painters tape. during the application. I placed rock in the pond area and in front of the false bottom and tested the waterfall. Here is the semi finished result:
I then brought the tank upstairs and placed the large peice of wood in. I noticed a smell of acetic acid from the silicon, and cycled an additional 11 gallons of water through the tank (I had about 6 in to begin with). This helped in terms of odor, and I decided to put plants in.
You can see pump accesibility from the left side of the tank, I will hide this side. An added benefit of this and that I have a few under the false bottom if I need to. I also left room for an underwater heater if needed, and can place freezable sports coolers back there to chill it in the summer.
Here is a look from top of the viv at this point:
I placed a brom in and a little pothos for about a week, and then added some additional plants:
The waterfall seems pretty good, and the rock wall and background should accomodate java moss well.
The brom seems to be okay after a week, I hope the other plants like the new home.
A look at the left side of the viv.
The driftwood covered with plants:
I am getting some air plants for the higher portions of the cage. Now I have a single 36 inch T8 (heat is a real issue in my apartment) but I may go to a dual tube later if needed.
Regarding the future residents, I believe I am going to go with either Azureus or Tincs. I also have some auratus tads that may go there instead.
I just got some new frogs and need to put a nice viv together for them so I will be starting another project soon. As of May 1, I will not be able to be on dendroboard for 2 months, and will be able to catch up on this post in early July. Hopefully by that time the viv will have grown in very well.
Here is a look of my frogs waiting for their new home (my next project, YAY!):
They are Agalychnis annae, and I am planning like a 40 hex or so for them.
Well that about sums it up for now. Hope you enjoyed! Let me know if you see anything inherently wrong with my setup. Thanks!
Luke
Luke's 46 bowfront. First Viv
What pump model did you use to pump the water all the way up and across the back of the tank?
Linear Mode
