First Vivarium Build- 29 gallon

12054 Views 40 Replies 18 Participants Last post by ICS523, Mar 16, 2012

Azriel

Discussion Starter · Jun 22, 2011

I don't have much to show yet, but I have a start at least! I've been doing lots of research in the past couple of weeks, so it's nice to finally have something to show for it. Please keep checking in on this thread, because I'll post photos along the way, and I'll also be asking questions I'm sure. Constructive criticisms are welcome.

Questions:
1. I have GE Silicone I Kitchen/Bath/Plumbing. Is this the right kind? The only thing is that it's clear, and I thought it would be better to get the black kind because that way when I cover the Great Stuff with coco fiber, if there are any bare patches they'll just be black. I guess alternatively I could look for the black GS that's meant for ponds...

2. Do I have to put silicone on the glass before applying GS? I guess that's where having black silicone would come in handy, because then it will hide the back and side of the tank, which I'm sure will be pretty ugly looking from the outside with the GS pressed up against the glass.

3. This question has its own thread: http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/parts-construction/69846-pet-resistant-insect-screening-false-bottom.html

Thanks and stay tuned!

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Azriel

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jun 26, 2011

Strange, I'm not sure what happened to the photos, but I'll post them again!

Start:

Making progress; I wrapped the FB in screen and applied silicone to the walls where the GS will go.

I ended up answering my previous questions on my own, so please ignore those.

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BYHGAB

· #3 · Jun 26, 2011

Looks good so far, im keeping an eye on this, I wanna do the same thing

Azriel

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 26, 2011

Thanks! I'm figuring it out as I go. I got a big piece of driftwood (I think it's mopani wood), and I'm trying out different positions to see what looks best. Opinions? I think I already have a favorite, but I'm not telling.

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PeanutbuttER

· #5 · Jun 26, 2011

2 is my favorite "pose"

Azriel

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 27, 2011

2 was my favorite also! I went with that one.

Here is the arrangement I've decided on. There will be a slow trickle of water coming out of a hole in the cork bark piece on the far left that will trickle down into the pond. I will slope the sides of the pond so the frogs can get out if they fall in, don't worry!

I followed Grimm's awesome idea for the air circulation vent system and made my own mini version of that. Still waiting on the computer fan for it.

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Azriel

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 28, 2011

So I have a question. Do you guys think this tank will have enough usable space for a pair of D. tinctorius? Here is the side-view picture again:

And here is a top-view picture:

I'm thinking they will be able to climb all over the background (I'm making a ledge or two) and that large piece of driftwood.

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Azriel

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 29, 2011

Bump.

Anyone??

quack

· #9 · Jun 29, 2011

Looks great! Can't wait to see it after the gs!

Paul

· #10 · Jun 29, 2011

Really great detailed build journal, it's always so exciting with the development of each new step!

Reactions: 1

Azriel

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 2, 2011

Thanks!

There will be a minor setback, because I bought the kind of GS that expands too much. I'm going to return it, and I've ordered the black kind online. So I have to wait for that to get here before I can do much more.

El Saptio Joyas

· #12 · Jul 2, 2011

Azriel said:
I don't have much to show yet, but I have a start at least! I've been doing lots of research in the past couple of weeks, so it's nice to finally have something to show for it. Please keep checking in on this thread, because I'll post photos along the way, and I'll also be asking questions I'm sure. Constructive criticisms are welcome.

Questions:
1. I have GE Silicone I Kitchen/Bath/Plumbing. Is this the right kind? The only thing is that it's clear, and I thought it would be better to get the black kind because that way when I cover the Great Stuff with coco fiber, if there are any bare patches they'll just be black. I guess alternatively I could look for the black GS that's meant for ponds...

2. Do I have to put silicone on the glass before applying GS? I guess that's where having black silicone would come in handy, because then it will hide the back and side of the tank, which I'm sure will be pretty ugly looking from the outside with the GS pressed up against the glass.

3. This question has its own thread: http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/parts-construction/69846-pet-resistant-insect-screening-false-bottom.html

Thanks and stay tuned!

Didnt look like you had ques ans.

- I use GE silicon II - dont remember if your ver has microban - you dont want mold inhibitor. I prefer to put coat on glass b4 doing GS foam. I use a plastic dry wall spreader - prob cost 50cents and cleans up super easy. I use black for base and coating GS. I use clear for vert conv kit (if relevant).

Yes - the light yellow GS is ugly - the black silicon does ok job of hiding this, but i just spray flat black paint on sides. This is personal preference. No right or wrong here. Dont use large gap - I did and its hard to control - other posters said it can crack the tank. The black color has several brands but i cant find it local - just got mine from Amazon.

I think your doing a great job. Youve kept it simple. I would not add anymore wood. Your 29g is good size for pair of anything.

Great pics - thx for sharing

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rbrock

· #13 · Jul 2, 2011

Great job tank looks good lots of detail. What ever gets to live in it will love it.

Arpeggio

· #14 · Jul 2, 2011

Looking great!

johnyrocks

· #15 · Jul 2, 2011

Nice so far. I've never had a problem with the big gap filler kind, but for a huge one. lol. No, not because it cracks glass (4 times, never did -_-), but it shrinks overnight, and it unsticks from the glass. The window and door kind has mold resistant crap in it. So yeah the black kind you're getting or gaps and cracks.

Azriel

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 18, 2011

Progress report!

This is how it looked after the GS:

And this is how it looks now with the background pretty much complete:

It's getting there, slowly but surely!

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mrfrogdude

· #17 · Jul 18, 2011

Looks nice! I just completed a 29 build a well for my first.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

nschmitz06

· #18 · Jul 18, 2011

Looking good so far, will look really good with some broms in there!!... I imagine they are on order

... I'm also interested to see what you do with your pond area.

Azriel

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 1, 2011

I had to put the progress of my viv on hold for a while because I was busy working on my aquariums (I keep fancy goldfish and just finished building a wet/dry filter). But I'm starting up the viv project again, and today I got the fan for the internal air circulation. Here are some pics. Credit to Grimm for the inspiration on this.

Cut and strip the red and black wires.

Cut and strip the adapter wires.

Splice.

Used shrink tube to hold them together.

Voila!

Here it is in the compartment I built for it. It takes air from the bottom of the tank and moves it up to the top.

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DragonSpirit1185

· #20 · Oct 2, 2011

looking good so far...that pond foam sure did swallow up that cork bark.
the GS in the red can did't expand that much for me

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