Torn Between 2 Viv Concepts

[jbherpin]

I have a beautiful trio of juvie "Orange" P. terribilis. I have a 40 gallon that is fitted with a false bottom ready to be landscaped for them. I have 2 thoughts that I would like some opinion on regarding natural behavior and habitat before I proceed.

I was (thoroughly)entertaining the idea of using ceramic tile that had the facade of a rigid rock wall as my background.

The other plan is a simple silicone smear with mosses adhered to it.

This would greatly reduce the weight of the viv, but as a display may be/become quite ugly. This will be my first attempt at a background.

Some of my concerns are:

Are either one of these concepts relative to natural habitat of "Orange" terribilis?

How long will a BG of siliconed moss hold, and not be a wall of acidic quality?

Is there a better option to simply silicone layer it?

All my thanks!

JBear

[Azriel]

Have you considered the buttress root idea, or the wall covered in vines/liannas idea? Or if you want something super simple, you could get some ecoweb for the background and plan to cover it with creeping plants. Perhaps you could even do a background incorporating some ecoweb and some cork bark, to give some variation and allow for a wider variety of plant mounting spots. Especially covered in plants, I think this could look really natural and interesting! It would also be super simple, cheap, and wouldn't intrude on the floor space too much for the terribilis. Just a few ideas.

[jbherpin]

Originally Posted by Azriel

Have you considered the buttress root idea, or the wall covered in vines/liannas idea? Or if you want something super simple, you could get some ecoweb for the background and plan to cover it with creeping plants. Perhaps you could even do a background incorporating some ecoweb and some cork bark, to give some variation and allow for a wider variety of plant mounting spots. Especially covered in plants, I think this could look really natural and interesting! It would also be super simple, cheap, and wouldn't intrude on the floor space too much for the terribilis. Just a few ideas.

I am also considering doing a backwall of stackable stones(as sold in little net bags at pet shops all over). I would start at the bottom, and work my way up, making sure to include some irregularities to maintain a natural look. This concept would involve me coating in between the layers with coco fibers, etc. I am not to fond of tanks that are too busy regarding plants. I wouldn't much want a wall of plants. I think security, and floor space take top priority. If there is sufficient cover in plant life, and suitable open ground with minimal obstacles, it is all the better and more natural.

Any thoughts on this option?

All my thanks!

JBaer

[Azriel]

Can you try to find some pictures of the stones you're thinking of using? I'm having a little trouble visualizing your idea, but from what I understand of it, it sounds like it could be really nice looking. You could include different sizes, shapes, and colors of stones too, for a very natural look! Is this what you're thinking?

[nbutler]

I like your idea with the stone and I think your terribillis will enjoy this as long as they have a good bit of total floor space, in my experience my breeding groups have done best with as much floor space as possible, 40 breeder is good but the stone idea may take up some of this valuable space, the root idea was excellent giving you multiple level options especially with plants but still leaving that floor space intact...