Terrarium Room Build (Pic Heavy) - Page 3

Brien · #21 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 08:15 PM

I think if I built that room I would put basti's in there I have two proven pairs and they are always out and with the size you won't have to worry about competition and put a lot of broms in there and you will see them breed just put lots of springtails in there. I love my basti's also you can mix up the colors and wont have to worry about in breeding because they can throw yellow, orange, red, white even if you only breed two of the same color. So you should check them out.

MattySF · #22 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 09:18 PM

This looks incredible. Are installing a mist system? Is there a drain in the room?

Eric Walker · #23 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 10:10 PM

I think something like that would be a dream come true for a group of
green tree monitors.

I think I remember someone here talking about putting a hamock in a walk in
viv awhile back

chinoanoah · #24 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 11:27 PM

1. I'll be back in CA for my winter break. I live in Contra Costa County, can I stop by?

2. I love it.

3. Subscribed

4. I love you.

Howiedoit · #25 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 12:29 AM

You are NUTS!!!! and by nuts I mean Totally Freaking Awesome! lol, I love it.

RarePlantBroker · #26 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 02:15 AM

WOW! And I thought I designed large vivariums.... I now have something new to try and convince my wife to let me do.... Going to look awesome, and you have some room for some nice size plants!

NickBoudin · #27 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 02:31 AM

RADICAL! I'm lovin' it, I cant wait like the others to see it finished.

Though, a lot of these awesome vivs never get finished..

Like others have said, DONT LEAVE US HANGING!

TysonUnderwood · #28 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 04:07 AM

I do have misters in there. I put the system together from Home Depot parts. Depending on how it holds up, I'll look more into the Mist King system. I also purchased an ultrasonic humidifier to set up as a fogger per some of the other posts on dendroboard.

Unfortunately, I don't have a drain due to the concrete slab I built over. My plan is to make a bit of a slope with the drainage layer so I can siphon out any excess water buildup. I'll be testing the system a bunch to keep the humidity up while avoiding too much excess water.

For the lighting, I'm just using 8 CFLs in addition to the two skylights and window. I believe the space is large enough that there won't be much heat gain from the window, it faces east, but I'll be watching. Three of the bulbs are 2700k and the other five are 5500-6500k (can't quite remember off the top of my head).

Occidentalis · #29 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 04:20 AM

I'm wondering if 8 CFL's will be enough. For most systems this size, I've seen metal halides exclusively. Haven't seen any that combine window light and skylights, though.

TysonUnderwood · #30 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 04:59 AM

Currently, with 4 on during the day, it is pretty bright in there. I haven't actually metered it though. I have to figure out how to do that with my camera. With all 8 lights, I'm sure it is plenty bright for most of the common houseplants and whatnot. I'll have to see how orchids and broms react in there though. I'm trying to avoid and of the big lighting systems as they tend to be expensive to set up and run, not to mention the heat they put out. As most of the intense lighting is for the plants and not the frogs, I might just have to be very careful where I stick everything. I'm about to start experimenting with some potted plants on the floor though which will tell me how it works at the darkest spot.