Build Journal - 'Backgroundless' Leucomelas Viv

[Wolfenrook]

Right, viv is 100cm wide by 48cm deep by 50cm high. Yup, monster viv. lol

Lighting I have an Arcadia Ultraseal 24-39watt dual controller and 2 ZooMed UltraSun T5HO 39watt tubes and 2 D-D Gullwing aluminium reflectors.

Substrate, my usual ABG based soil mix naturally.

Decor 2 very large cork branches, and the bits and bobs from their existing viv.

Background, there isn't one in the usual dart frog viv sense, that's the whole point. However on the outside of the viv I have applied some vinyl privacy film (aka light diffusing background). This is VERY easy to apply, you spray the glass with water and smooth it on, job done. It looks flipping good if you ask me too:-



Drainage will be a false bottom made with filter grid covered in nylon insect netting.

More soon, as working on this viv as I type this.

Ade

[Cornish-J]

looking forward to see how this turns out Ade.

J

[Sammyb]

Me too ^ I like the look of the viv who makes it? Where's it from?

[Wolfenrook]

The viv is a Betta Terrarium from Midlands Aquatic And Reptile Centre in Coventry. At £119.99 delivered it was a really good price too. http://midlandaquaticsandreptiles.co...e481df05ac5bf7

I know Mike (Frogman955) has the same viv in black in his collection. Very nice looking vivs.

I'm very excited about this build as it's something a bit different. So I am as interested to see how it turns out as you folks. So far though it's turning out exactly how I envisaged it when I decided to use the 'light diffusing background' stuff: TGM Light Diffusing Nature Aquarium Backing for a frosted look | The Green Machine. I'd read about it from the planted aquarium scene, where I'd seen some really lovely photographs of tanks using it with a white peace of card on the wall behind and a backlight. I'm just planning to use it as is though to give me a sort of cloud forest look I hope.

Ade

[Cornish-J]

Just out of interest Ade, howcome you went for one of those vivs as aposed to getting an ent style one and avoiding all the hassle of making a false bottom etc?

[frogman955]

Hi J
There is no hassle involved in making a false bottom.
You make your pillars.
You cut your egg crate to size then place it on the pillars.
Thats you then in the same position you`d be with an ent style viv.
I actually have 3 of these vivs of varying sizes and for the money you could do a lot worse.

Mike

[Wolfenrook]

Originally Posted by Cornish-J

Just out of interest Ade, howcome you went for one of those vivs as aposed to getting an ent style one and avoiding all the hassle of making a false bottom etc?

Dartfrog don't deliver, and an ENT in this size would cost a LOT more, not least as I would have to hire a van and pay my dad to fetch it. lol

Ade

[Wolfenrook]

Right, not going to waffle on about how I've constructed the false bottom, enough to say I used the same method is in the viv in the how to build a dartfrog viv that I made for our WTFs, only using nylon insect screen rather than weed fabric.

Instead, the mods to the lid. Here's the supplied one, complete with stainless steel mesh with huge holes in it, our cordless screwdriver and a pot to put screws into:-



Dismantled the lid completely, removing the mesh totally. I then cut some twin wall polycarbonate to the same size as the mesh, and cut some holes for ventilation in it. I then siliconed the polycarb into the lid and screwed it all back together.



This means I can still remove the lid for maintenance. I cut small holes rather than 1 long 1 as polycarb becomes really weak with too big a hole in it. Next up I cut 2 narrow strips of polycarb and used these to silicone in place a length of stainless steel fly mesh from Dartfrog over the vent holes:-



I had to use black as I ran out of clear silicone on the side of the lid you can't see............ Yeah, I know. lol

Ade

[soundstounite]

Interesting build Ade,i hope it comes out exactly as planned,what's driven you to go the backgroundless route mate,anything particular or just fancy a different look for this one.
Good luck bro work so far seem top draw
Stu

[Wolfenrook]

Mainly Stu it's a combination of 2 things really. 1 I am fed up of the mess of constructing backgrounds and 2 I wanted a more natural look. That and I started to wonder why we all keep putting backgrounds in tanks for frogs like leucs and tincs so figured I'd try without for a change.

The light diffuser doesn't look how I want it at the moment, looks like backlighting is a must with it when using against a plain wall, so will need to sort some out. Other than that and the ugly black silicone (had to put some on the front to fly proof the front vent) it's turning out nicely.

The biggest con so far though is it leaves you VERY dependant upon the viv growing in. It will look much better with a few broms on the branches though I am sure. I'll post a pic later.

Ade