Construction completed!

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Finally done with all the external construction.
The fun begins next weekend when I get started on the inside!

Dimensions of the top half 30 x 30 x 40" tall.
Dimensions of the stand 30 x 30 x 30"
Lit by 4 x 55W CF.

More pics later.....





All the plumbing is done from the bottom up.
Two 1/4 CPVC in the corners are for the drip system - 2 x 9 outlet Toro
One of the 1/4" CPVC lines is the for mister - MistKing Quad + 1.
the pump for which is located in the HVAC closet in the room
behind the wall.

Ventilation will be forced air - you cannot see the tubing for that in these
pics.

Mist from an ultrasonic fogger will also be pumped into the viv via the
ventilation system from time to time.

Dual paned front glass, with hot air off the bulbs pumped between them.

Cant wait to get this planted!

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Oh - its sealed on the inside with Marine epoxy. Several layers.

For access to the bulbs etc, the canopy lifts up like the hood of a car.
The entire front panel is detachable.

[jsagcincy]

Very nice work! Can't wait to see more pics as you progress. What will you be using as a background?

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

The backgroud will be a mix of

Tree fern panels, mananita branches, manzanita burls with
loose tree fern bark, peat moss etc crammed into all the gaps etc.
I've also got some quick dry mortar that I'm playing with - may use
that in a few places.

[JWerner]

Very nice! Please post pics as you design the inside!

Jon Werner

[wishIwereAnExpert]

Looks great! I'm interested in your ventilation systems--both the hot air/double glass (double glazed or literally 2 sheets?) and the "forced air ventilation" through the tank. How does this all work?

-Solly

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Originally Posted by wishIwereAnExpert

Looks great! I'm interested in your ventilation systems--both the hot air/double glass (double glazed or literally 2 sheets?) and the "forced air ventilation" through the tank. How does this all work?

-Solly

The front panel is two sheet of glass. One is sliightly taller than the
other.

The heart of the ventilation system / front pane defogger, is a linear
piston air pump, which provides the forced air. For internal ventilation,
this air is pumped into a 5G bucket, which contains RO water and the
ultrasonic fogger (on a timer). An outlet in the bucket lid has a hose
barb, with a 1" flex hose into a bulkhead in the floor of the tank.
I can control the airflow via a ball valve - add more / less air. I can
also force the air THROUGH the RO water, allowing it to gain some
humidity. The ultrasonic fogger will kick in from time to time, allowing
the fog to be pumped into the viv. The fogger itself is suspended from
a stryofoam 'boat' to keep it at the optimum level below the
waters surface for maximum fog production.


I'll explain the hot air defogger tomorrow.

[Frank H]

Damn! that is awesome!.. I am anxious to see your future pictures and explinations.. Thanks for the write-up so far!

I dream to have the extra cash to build such an extravagent viv. I think I have the imagination and hand skills.

Nice cabinet! So the marine epoxy will hold water? Man I have so many questions, but Ill let you finish .......... hehe HURRY lol

Thanks again for sharing

-Frank

[mnchartier]

I have been working on a design of a very large viv, and the one thing that I am having a problem with is the door construction. I noticed what appears to be 2 hinges on the left side, so I am assuming that the front will swing open.

If I am correct, how did you get the door to sit completely flush? My biggest concern is escaping FF. I was thing that routing out the door and front to get the flat parts of the hinges to be flush would work.

I do have to say that that is one of the most beautiful vivs I have seen in awhile.

See I could NEVER do that, I was surprised at myself when I assembled a computer desk from Staples. It only took me 4 hours, and alot of instruction manual reading.