[konton]

I happen to find this online at a place near my work:
Glass Display Case

I haven't decided to buy it but didn't even know if it's worth $50. There is no glass on the top and bottom, but I have glass I could use to replace what's missing. It opens at the front, and has a nice metal base to sit on. I'm sure I could fruit fly proof the door. I would use it for imitators. Opinions?

Total size is 60x18x18. But the area for holding the frogs would be about 60 gallons.

 

[mrfrogdude]

That would look awesome all decked out imo!

If you go with it, please post some pictures as you go.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[Arpeggio]

$50 holy crap how is it not worth it? Would be easy to get into dart frog shape. Do it!

 

[johnyrocks]

1 word, DONT get it! Let ME get it! Duh ^^! But really, i'd buy that in a heart beat for 50 bucks. it looks like its in really good shape. Check out my 20 long vert build, it's for imitators and it's a 1:1 ratio compared to that in ways of land area and height.

 

[dartboard]

My only concern would be the door. Does it go all the way to the floor of the tank part? I ask because most vivs that we make require at least some small area below the door to collect water and act as a false bottom. I am sure there are designs around this but that was the only concern I had at first glance. Also lighting would be harder with that tall of aviv.

 

[konton]

Thanks for the input! I decided to take the plunge for $50. The display turned out to be 48x18x18 (67 gallons) with a metal case stand about 22 inches tall. So the tank stands 70 inches or almost 6 feet high.

I'll start a constructional journal once I begin.

Justin

 

[james67]

i have a feeling that your biggest issue in a tank like this will not be the glass, or the door, or sealing it... it will be lighting. its very difficult to get (cool running) lighting to penetrate tanks with these sort of height to width ratios.

james

 

[zBrinks]

Some of the high powered led lights would probably work pretty well. I'd think about leaving the bottom foot or so bare of plants, and just provide plenty of leaf litter. Making a center trunk/vine out of bent pvc covered with flevopol or epoxy would look pretty cool planted with small bromeliads, ferns, orchids, and the like.

 

[Perfiikt]

wish i could get a deal like that lol. cant wait to see the progress

 

[james67]

Some of the high powered led lights would probably work pretty well. I'd think about leaving the bottom foot or so bare of plants, and just provide plenty of leaf litter. Making a center trunk/vine out of bent pvc covered with flevopol or epoxy would look pretty cool planted with small bromeliads, ferns, orchids, and the like.

from my experience this looks the best, but is hardest if lighting from above. when broms are placed around a central trunk they block out large portions of everything beneath.after placing just a few it becomes clear that the light doesnt reach the vast majority of space below the broms. side lighting is the best option IMO (if you can build them) coupled with sronger light from above, as well as good circulation of air.

led strips could work very well for that task (side lighting).

james

 

[boabab95]

what about running white LED ropes on the inside down the corners???

 

[jpstod]

Why does everyone insist on having brightly lit Rainforest Floors?

Anyone who has been to the real environments the frogs come from on here answer this?
Can you say that the floors of the jungles are brightly lit?

Forest I have been in have dimly lit forest floors..A lot of shade and shadows. The canopy has bright sun spots.

Put Bright light loving plants up high and shade loving plants down low.
Let the light filter down like a real rainforest.

 

[james67]

its about the health of the tank. when you stop the light's ability to reach the bottom of the tank by having leaves extend out and block it, you create a dark and VERY humid environment below them (which is unable to sustain plant growth at all) and a very dry very well lit area above. the plants not only block the light, but also restrict circulation of air, compounding the issue. so its not really applicable IMO to refer to natural lighting in this specific instance. tanks which are several times taller than they are wide(and deep) are a real challenge, and proper lighting and air circulation is key IMO. temps are also harder to regulate, since there can be an extreme gradient through the tank.

james

 

[konton]

Thanks for all the responses. I agree that lighting is a large concern. All the sides can be sealed with silicone, and I'm considering foam tape weatherstrips for around the door.

I just got my Mistking Ultimate Value Misting System in the mail so I plan to drop in a nozzle or two (probably two, right?). Maybe I'll put the misting system under the display case.

On my way home from picking of this display case, I drove by a place called Howard Wire Cloth Company. They gave me a 12x48 piece of 80x80 wire cloth for free to test out. So I'm considering leaving the top open with the wire cloth and ensuring the humidity with the misting system. This will also make sure the heat doesn't build up.

I'd love to hear any lighting suggestions. Also plant suggestions. I've decided to make this my varadero tank. So plants all native to Peru would be nice. And with a 4 foot height to work with, I assume some of the larger native plants might be okay.

 

[johnyrocks]

My 20 long gets enough like at the bottom using only 2-13 watt CLFs. I think you can try 2-4 26 watt CLFs, I think a metal halide is bad idea IMO and LED lighting breaks the bucks. What background are you using? I would recommend either rock wall or great stuff. Gl

 

[konton]

For anyone who didn't catch my build log I just thought I'd add a link here as well:
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/parts-construction/71916-48x18x18-vert-build-log.html