Small Viv

MX83Drifter · #1 (**permalink**) 02-13-2012, 07:11 AM

Whats up everyone Im thinking about getting into the pdf hobby. Im building a small viv right now, not too sure of what i want to put in here. But once construction is complete I will decide for sure. So here are some pics of what I got so far, more supplies are on the way. I will be constructing the whole thing very soon, pics will ensue.

frogparty · #2 (**permalink**) 02-13-2012, 07:35 AM

Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you found us. Cool to have more mantis people get their frog on.

MX83Drifter · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-2012, 10:10 PM

haha whats up dude, I put you down as the reference. I got started on building today, ill get some pics up soon. Im excited about the ooth too, I hope its fertile.

MX83Drifter · #4 (**permalink**) 02-15-2012, 08:18 AM

Alright so I got some pictures... This is where it stands now. I like to keep the process slow, that way everything gets a chance to try properly.

So this was yesterday. Started on the pump housing.

And after I let that dry for a few hours I put in the small wall that is going to separate the water from land.

This was today, I am still going to put some foam in to fill a lot of the background.

frogparty · #5 (**permalink**) 02-15-2012, 08:33 AM

so the front is going to be water? Dart frogs dont really spend any time in the water. Its better to have more land area for them to use, and to allow microfauna to proliferate in. You can swing by mi casa and see my tanks if you want some inspiration. I can maybe set you up with some feeder insects, leaf litter etc etc etc. Maybe even an orchid mantis

MX83Drifter · #6 (**permalink**) 02-15-2012, 09:25 AM

haha sounds like a plan. when ever your free just leme know.

xm41907 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-15-2012, 12:05 PM

You might want to replace the tube with something big enough to pull the pump through. If/when it starts to clog up, you'll want to be able to service it. The way you have it now, you'd have to break down the tank to get to it.

MX83Drifter · #8 (**permalink**) 02-16-2012, 09:40 AM

@xm yea I thought about that after... haha this is my first attempt at a viv.. I hope the pump lasts, although Ive used this brand of pump before with growing, and the one I bought 2 years ago is still running fine.

Anyways, pretty much got the background done, I still need to shape a few things and cover it with coco. I attempted to add coco when the foam was drying but that didnt work so well. I was reading a thread and saw the method of using Xylene and brown silicone to get it to stick, I will be making a trip to the store tomorrow.

xm41907 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-16-2012, 12:07 PM

you don't need the xylene for a background. Just spread the silicon and push the coco in. It works best in small batches so the silicone doesn't skin over. I usually would do small sections at a time, then when done, just completely cover everything with coco and press down firmly. Let it set several hours to over night, then dump the excess coco out.

MX83Drifter · #10 (**permalink**) 02-17-2012, 10:29 AM

So I did use a small amount of thinner, I liked the idea of being able to brush it on into the corners, it would have been extremely hard for my to get my hands back there. This again is my first viv, a close friend of mine is building one very soon. I will post a build thread on that, and we will do everything the right way. I didn't research very much when I built this, kinda just used what I knew I had to lol.

and here the pics

I got all this stuff from Home Depot.. minus the awesome old panda express cup thing

doin work

after sitting for most of the day, tomorrow is water test time.