18x18x24 exo terra build

[jubjub47]

I'm finally getting some time to work on my other exo terra. This exo actually came in with the side piece of glass cracked. Fortunately I got a replacement and was able to keep the cracked one as well. I've had to silicone the cracks from the inside to make sure that it was going to hold water and I also ran a bead along the cracks since they were actually kind of sharp. I put up a vinyl background on the outside of the broken side and it doesn't look too bad. I think if I wanted to get ambitious I would do a foam background on the side, but I already don't like doing them on the back.

Anyways, I've done both of these backgrounds on eggcrate and then when completed I've siliconed them to the back of the tank. I've found it much easier to work on them this way. I believe that I'm going to be moving my vents into this viv once it's finished.

So far I've just finished applying the coco mix to the background. Tomorrow I should be able to glue the background into the tank and let everything dry for a few days. I use my own little technique when I do these backgrounds. You should notice some damp sections on the finished back ground. What I do is apply the dry coco mix then I go over the top with a damp mix so it holds the bedding down into the silicone a bit better. It's always worked for me so I keep doing it.

I'm not sure what type of driftwood this is. We just started carrying it at work and it looks really cool. Plus it's really cheap. Hopefully it does ok in the damp conditions. It's almost 1/5th the cost of malaysian driftwood.

[PacMan]

looks good man. I too put the backgrounds on eggcrate much easier to work with like you said. Keep it up.

[Devanny]

Looks good so far, i do my bigger backgrounds on styrofoam then silicone it helps the silicone/coco process and you can get into those tiny cracks so you dont miss anything.

[jubjub47]

I've also learned that using the foam paint brushes that cost 25 cents at lowes do a really good job of spreading the silicone and getting it into the little crevices.

[Devanny]

I use the normal brushes, i notice the foam ones suck up too much silicone, i wrap a heating pad around the silicone tube for a few minutes to make it "runnier" and make the spreding of it easier. I also like to sift my coco so i only get the little pieces and i've noticed that details stand out more this way, the rest i use in my substrate mix.

[Bcs TX]

Looks good Tim!

[jubjub47]

Originally Posted by Devanny

I use the normal brushes, i notice the foam ones suck up too much silicone, i wrap a heating pad around the silicone tube for a few minutes to make it "runnier" and make the spreding of it easier. I also like to sift my coco so i only get the little pieces and i've noticed that details stand out more this way, the rest i use in my substrate mix.

The foam brush does gunk up pretty quick, but I think that might be part of the reason that I like. it. The first few areas I've noticed are a bit harder to work with until the foam starts to clog up then I just dab along the background and it spreads without actually spreading if that makes any sense. The heating does work...I actually threw mine in the microwave for about 40 secs. I usually don't spend a lot of time sculpting the foam actually. I do make a few planting areas, but that is about it. I like the bigger chunks on the background, but I agree I don't get all of the detail.

[jubjub47]

I skipped a few steps of the build process. I did a rough planting today. I still need to work with the plants and make sure that I'm happy with the way I have things in there. I'll probably add the leaf litter tomorrow.

I've got temporary lighting on at the moment. My lighting should be in Monday or Tuesday. I hope to move the frogs in soon.

[loogielv]

looks good. nothing wrong with a little crack here and there!

[Bcs TX]

Looks good Tim!