Large Vivarium Construction

[Energy]

I started to plant the fallen log, so far nothing special just a few bromelids.

I have an order coming with New England Herpotogical Society. I am getting there bromelids special order pack and a Segwelia.- Don't ask me how to spell these plants names. The owner seems like a really nice guy.

[Energy]

Another shot of the fallen log with the Bromelids.

After careful review the defrosting system works like a charm but I am switching it around. I want to see if I can make some minor changes but decrease the wattage draw by over 60% and still get good results.

Next major task is cleaning up the water. the tannins sure have stained the heck out of it. Loads of carbon should help.

The lights are complete and working fine. Now I just need a cheap source for plants! Any suggestions?

[midget]

looking good. Spring Valley Tropicals seems to have a varity of plant for a decent price, also NEherps seems to be one of the better places. Since you viv is so large have you seen some of those really large brom they have at home depot and lowes they probably be perfect for you tank. good luck


edit i guess you have seem the larger broms

[Energy]

Midget- Yep that big brom in the background came from Menards for $1.00. I am also looking for some of the unusual ferns and other plants as highlight pieces here and there.

[midget]

You also look some semi-aqutic plants they have on aquarium plant sites some get rather large and be perfect for your tank. If you go to petsmart you'll see these ferns in small conters for sale that should help you with which fern you like to have in you tank, just look for it on the interent it would probly be better size and price. good luck

[VivariumWorks]

Maybe its just the botanist in me and all but...

"good source of cheap plants"?????? Please don't clutter that MASSIVE gorgous thing with anything that us normal sized viv guys have! You have the space and the setup for some amaizing things that we normally can't have. Spend the little bit extra and search around and get stuff that will do that unique viv justice. Please don't go to Lowes/HD for your plants! We all do for our little ones but you've got the potential, space, and volume to fill, so order from specialty nurseries. I mean, you didn't fill your coral setup with just zooanthids right? Don't let us down! You can do it! If nothing else at least get a brom assortment from some of the guys on this forum. I have and have been quite pleased with the variety/colors I got.

Because I'm a plant nerd I go nusery hunting around south texas from time to time looking for cool plants and places to get them. Look up all the places around you and go visit them. If you plan it out you can get about 4 in a day depending on distance. The more obscure/ little old lady run the better. I've found all kinds of weird stuff that way. Online I would hit up:

aqua forest aquarium

For your aquatic plants. All kinds of cool aquatic brophytes to choose from.

Bird Rock Tropicals Home Page

This place is run by my bosses extended family. I can vouch for their quality. Call them too, they might not have everything listed.

Tropiflora's Cargo Report

And of course tropiflora. These guys are really good about putting up pics of what they have in stock but call them too. If you tell them your looking for some odd/unique tropical stuff they might have a few things unlisted.

And then.... if your REALLY into it. You go visit Hawaii, Costa Rica, Cozumel, tropical paradise of your choice, and bring back, minus soil, cuttings of your own. I've got broms from Costa Rica, moss from Hawaii, and a few ferns from Cozumel. Yes you do have to go through customs with them for Costa Rica/Cozumel, but as long as it doesn't have soil and your nice, they don't give a dang as long as its not pot.

[Energy]

Vivarium works- you talked me into it. But I am a coral nerd and I really don't know what prize specimens for plants are. Any recomendations anyone? I am not looking for large plants because I don't want to fill it up with just one or two - I would like a collection. I have started to order from the sponsors on a number of occasions already.

Really I am lost as to what a collectors plant is.

Thanks for the links- that is helpful.

[frogparty]

OH YEAH! You need a Vresia heiroglyphica for a centerpiece brom.
Look into some of the smaller to mid sized Phragmepedium orchids, awesome slipper orchids that can tolerate wet feet, and also from S. America.
Check out Dutchman's pipe vines or other crazy vines like passiflora's

[frogparty]

check out Begonia bolivienes "bonfire"

you could put some of the bigger Billbergia broms in ther too

[armagedon48]

my favorite all time brom is the Neogoralia "Fireball".

i see hybrids all the time of this plant, but its hard to find the actual plant. when i start looking for plants, the Neo. "fireball" will be the only brom i'll keep.

i second the lady slipper orchids.