How to Build a Dart Frog Viv (round 2)

[andaroo]

uhhh so stunning! very inspirational and creative! I can't wait until I can have a go at making one of these

[andaroo]

The moss spores, are they to create an effect similar to this?
?

[ilovetoads2]

Originally Posted by chondro13

Cheers guys - and Spanner your viv is gorgeous!!



Definitely have to let me know what shows your at this year

The cork bark is sodding expensive but it will last a lifetime and i really prefer the look. I decided to use a layer of leca with the false background simply to raise the soil level up a bit incase the water level gets above the false background (should never happen.. but you know.. if it could happen - its gonna happen to me lol)

your plan sounds great to me hun but i would recommend having NO water in a dart tank that is e.g. like a bowl full of water, or like a pool that water flows into - they fail at swimming and will drown themselves lol! thats why i just have a pebble beach

let me know how your build gets on!!

OH...the tank I was talking about for this time is for my RETF...I have to get this one done first. The dart tank wont be started till later but as I had to buy new stuff I was trying to get extra so I could start when I wanted to. Gonna order egg crate stuff today and am now going with ust the coco mats as a background...I have several plants that will eventually cover this anyway and found a great deal that will give me enough for the dart viv (same with crate and silicone, and eco earth) all I will have to buy it the glass, the frogs, and some more plants Great stuff!

So I dont have to order the balls as well then? Just making sure...I have screen and the weed cover stuff but was a bit worried the screen might rust in time??? I will also take pics as I go (though I am no photographer) and let you see what you think....where do you hear about the shows...any likely to be in Scotland?

[chondro13]

Originally Posted by lucas

That is one stunning viv!! Looks great!! I wish I could make something like that!


On a side note, you seem to have a fairly impressive taste in music!

cheers hun! and metal all the way

Originally Posted by andaroo

The moss spores, are they to create an effect similar to this?
?

yes it looks similar to that - slightly more velvety and slightly darker emerald than the pic but very close!

Originally Posted by ilovetoads2

OH...the tank I was talking about for this time is for my RETF...I have to get this one done first. The dart tank wont be started till later but as I had to buy new stuff I was trying to get extra so I could start when I wanted to. Gonna order egg crate stuff today and am now going with ust the coco mats as a background...I have several plants that will eventually cover this anyway and found a great deal that will give me enough for the dart viv (same with crate and silicone, and eco earth) all I will have to buy it the glass, the frogs, and some more plants Great stuff!

So I dont have to order the balls as well then? Just making sure...I have screen and the weed cover stuff but was a bit worried the screen might rust in time??? I will also take pics as I go (though I am no photographer) and let you see what you think....where do you hear about the shows...any likely to be in Scotland?

sounds great! i dont think theres any shows in Scotland? i think the closest might be Doncaster in North East England.

if in doubt dont use any metal in the viv incase it rusts. I think the only safe metal is aluminium - but then you dont know what theyve used on top of it (anodyzing etc..) so if possible dont use any. you dont need any of the leca but i just used it coz i felt like it lol...

pics of both tanks please

[KJ Exotics]

Looking good.

On step 6, you place the layer seperater, but on step 7 there is leca under it, can you explain why you have leca and a false bottom, just asking really.

[chondro13]

Originally Posted by KJ Exotics

Looking good.

On step 6, you place the layer seperater, but on step 7 there is leca under it, can you explain why you have leca and a false bottom, just asking really.

well for two reasons - one, i had leca lying about and i needed to up the depth of the substrate layer; two, i was a little paranoid about the level of the water getting OVER the false bottom into the soil level, i know its very unlikely to happen, but if it could happen, it will happen to me! lol.

Just for everyone to know - you do NOT have to put a layer of leca down where i did, its optional and in no way effects anything to be honest..

[chondro13]

also... the leca is sandwiched between two layers of membrane, but again this isnt necessary..

[andaroo]

I'd love to see a video of the waterfall in action any chance?!

[chondro13]

Originally Posted by andaroo

I'd love to see a video of the waterfall in action any chance?!

hehe good idea! ive not put pics up because they were poo when the waterfall was running...

give me an hour or so as im feeding the zoo (NOT a fast process..) then ill see what i can do!

[bothrops]

Superb build Chondro - you have certainly inspired me!

I've just spent the last three hours surfing for dart frog builds and come across some stunning examples.

If anyone really wants to go to town, check this guy out!

Warning - you will be thinking of chucking out the sofa and selling the kids in order to make enough room/money for your own! (well I am (except I don't have kids, maybe I'll sell my kidneys instead!))

check this out!

Dart Den - View topic - Construction Journal 44 Gal Pentagon


Cheers

Andy