Tiki Tiki Rebuild

[vegas chad]

Well spending a few days heavily nosing around this here forum has highly motivated me to re-do one of my first terrariums that died long long ago. It is an small Exo-Terra, what size I don’t know off the top of my head, I will be getting a piece of glass cut to cover the top as the overabundance of humidity loss with the tank is why I let it die off in the first place, that and I was never really happy with it. It was done before I knew about GS, black silicone, and the value of a piece of glass to cover the top.

I read the 10 Beginner mistakes thread and sure enough the first one about gloves and GS brought flash backs of a few tanks that I had done in the past, what a mess those were! Not letting the GS set before adding more, coming back a few hours later and seeing the GS consume almost all of the space that was supposed to be free. The panic when I saw mold on some of the branches, ECT. However I feel that I am much better informed now so I will give it another stab!

I am going to do this tank on a budget, so everything inside will come from what I have on hand, other than 2 cans of GS and some silicone. As you can see below the tank started out with a cork wall silicone’d into place with moss stuffed in the cracks to keep the pygmy chameleons from escaping into the open rear area (This did not work). I have no idea what the heck most of the terrarium plant’s names are so ill just say that I had little variety within, but it looked good and did its job.

Tomorrow I will go get my GS and start the decorating, wearing gloves and telling myself that less is more all the while. I will need to find myself a good stick/branch to incorporate, but other than that I think I have everything I need.

From the start


This terrarium has been through a rough drought.


Everything Going!


And going!


Gone and washed!

[mongo77]

Looks like a 12x12x18 Exo to me.

[R1ch13]

Cant be sure on the dimensions...

But that for sure ain't no Exo...

Try Zoo Med

Good luck

Richie

[nathan]

Yup definitly a Zoo med

Keep us posted on the build

[vegas chad]

Eco/Zoo, same thing... Its glass, has a door, will get stuff put within. I will measure it later, I shall it an Eco-Med.

[R1ch13]

Originally Posted by vegas chad

Eco/Zoo, same thing... Its glass, has a door, will get stuff put within. I will measure it later, I shall it an Eco-Med.

Haha,

Were just nit pickers, you are correct though.

I favour Zoo Med's anyway, no obstruction (ie the little gap for the double Exo Doors)

Cant wait to see the updates.

Richie

[Dean]

It's a start Chad. Just be careful The door on one of my exo's fell off it's hinge and I went to catch it on reflex. Well I cut my thumb at the webbed part as the glass shattered and it severed a nerve so I had to have surgery to fix the nerve last night what a mess. They had to put me out completely so I couldn't move and a tourniquet to stop the blood flow and of course a micro surgeon to fix the nerve. So know I'm typing with one hand and a huge wrap around my other hand. Who knew frogs could be so costly and dangerous.
Dean

[vegas chad]

Layer #1 of the good stuff.


Wood installed and build up on the other side started.


Cork installed on the opposite side with an extra layer of GS to give it some depth.


Half of a tube of silicone, and some coco fiber with a little chunk added later.


The next day after everything dried with the balls added. I would have rather used some sort of small gravel however since I am only using things I have on hand the balls o wonder it was.


Another thin layer.


Some coco brick soil for the base, a little sphagnum moss, some coco chunk, whisk vigorously for 20 min and presto, substrate.



Everything with a good squirt.


I have no idea what this is, but it looks neat. (anybody know what it is?)


Some more plant cuttings added again I have no idea what anything is 


A cool little cutting that I hope will creep up.


The cool looking plant.


Another.


I called up a local glass shop to cut me a lid and they said just come get it, free B = SCORE!

[JJhuang]

Looks awsome great job with the background and some nice plants,

[vegas chad]

I will get the leaf little and a few more plants inside; I broke the bank and ordered $20 worth a plants from a forum member. Overall I am happy with how it turned out, I will be doing some different things next time though to make me more satisfied.