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I am currently restructuring my collection to concentrate on just a couple frogs... sooo I figured if I am only keeping a few I am going to redo their tanks. (Aka: make them bigger and better)
This thread is going to outline my new 18x18x24 Zoo Med that will be for a group of Stewart Line Amazonicus/Iquitos. It is replacing the current 20gal vert that my calling male is hanging out in. I'm picking up a few more of them from Sean in a few weeks.
The current 20gal vert can be found here: http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/members-frogs-vivariums/61282-20-vert-clay-background-update.html
Heres the Zoo Med:
Kitty Litter and Bucket for mixing:
"Special Kitty" Litter inconsistencies shown here:
Switched to Dr Elsey's Litter, much less gritty and more consistent:
Once the clay absorbed the water and got to a nice sticky consistency I added peat to the mix. It is roughly a 25% peat mixture.
I should have probably taken more pictures going forward but once you get that stuff on your hands you have no desire to pic up the camera... haha
So here is the background with some cork pieces (one flat and one elbow shaped tube). I just stuck the flat straight to the background and the elbow is jutting out to provide some depth and a little planting space between it and the background. After I applied the clay, I took a few big handfuls of peat that i sifted all the chunks out of and pressed it down on the clay just as many people do with cocofiber on greatstuff. This worked extremely well for me in the last tank (look at the moss growth) and as long as you dont squirt water directly at it, it stays pretty well attached to the outside of the clay.
Once I had it all pressed into place I laid the tank on its back for a couple days and let the clay set a bit. When I flipped it up and added the drainage layer I stuffed some more clay in between the gap you see and the screen.
Added substrate and a piece of wood:
That concludes most of the general construction process... I tend to just get into build mode and not take many pictures so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
This thread is going to outline my new 18x18x24 Zoo Med that will be for a group of Stewart Line Amazonicus/Iquitos. It is replacing the current 20gal vert that my calling male is hanging out in. I'm picking up a few more of them from Sean in a few weeks.
The current 20gal vert can be found here: http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/members-frogs-vivariums/61282-20-vert-clay-background-update.html
Heres the Zoo Med:

Kitty Litter and Bucket for mixing:

"Special Kitty" Litter inconsistencies shown here:

Switched to Dr Elsey's Litter, much less gritty and more consistent:

Once the clay absorbed the water and got to a nice sticky consistency I added peat to the mix. It is roughly a 25% peat mixture.
I should have probably taken more pictures going forward but once you get that stuff on your hands you have no desire to pic up the camera... haha
So here is the background with some cork pieces (one flat and one elbow shaped tube). I just stuck the flat straight to the background and the elbow is jutting out to provide some depth and a little planting space between it and the background. After I applied the clay, I took a few big handfuls of peat that i sifted all the chunks out of and pressed it down on the clay just as many people do with cocofiber on greatstuff. This worked extremely well for me in the last tank (look at the moss growth) and as long as you dont squirt water directly at it, it stays pretty well attached to the outside of the clay.

Once I had it all pressed into place I laid the tank on its back for a couple days and let the clay set a bit. When I flipped it up and added the drainage layer I stuffed some more clay in between the gap you see and the screen.
Added substrate and a piece of wood:

That concludes most of the general construction process... I tend to just get into build mode and not take many pictures so if you have any questions feel free to ask.