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View Full Version : My Newest Build (Morelia)

Teckdragon
06-02-11, 08:07 PM
I got such a good price on the tank from a friend that I couldn't wait to start building it. Here's how it came out:



https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250416_10100243828821931_5021305_51938910_3692572_ n.jpg
The empty tank waiting to be built.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/252456_10100243828742091_5021305_51938908_4594444_ n.jpg
My pre-build perch selection. I had Fir, Manzanita, Ghostwood, Grapewood, and Java Wood.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251731_10100243829026521_5021305_51938912_5026957_ n.jpg
Zoo Med Cork Tile I used as my background. 18"x24".

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/247408_10100243829206161_5021305_51938916_6090808_ n.jpg
Cork was warped, so I had to silicone and weight it down. This took a couple hours to cure.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/246868_10100243829445681_5021305_51938926_3550485_ n.jpg
1st plant: Creeping Fig (ficus pumila). Soil was a mixture of Coco fiber, peat & sphagnum moss, and a small dash or organic potting mix.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/252020_10100243829605361_5021305_51938932_1861698_ n.jpg
Added water dish, hide, and a 3rd substrate layer that is a mix of coco husk and cypress mulch.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/253865_10100243829690191_5021305_51938936_5948793_ n.jpg
Close up of the "forest floor". From left to right: Dumb Cane, Creeping Fig, Golden Pothos, and Dwarf Umbrella Plant.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255668_10100243829750071_5021305_51938937_7930960_ n.jpg
Branches/perches added. The fork in the front might be a bit excessive, but it can sit there for now. The ledge is for additional perching. I'll let this grow in for a month or so, and hopefully by Daytona I'll have a chondro for it.


My ultimate goal with this build was to create a tank that was naturalistic (live plants) as well as basic enough (removable perches and hides) to facilitate feeding and cleaning. I think I succeeded. Best of all, this tank works well for any Morelia species, be it a chondro or a carpet python. Oh, and since I didn't get a picture of it, the tank is heated by a 60 watt ceramic heat emitter on the top, as well as two 26 watt compact fluorescent bulbs (Exo Terra 2.0).
stephanbakir
06-02-11, 08:12 PM
With the bulbs wont it be hard to maintain humidity during shedding? why is the CHE on top? (never used a CHE before, but heat rises?)
Looks great :)
Lankyrob
06-03-11, 03:57 AM
The CHE are designed thatsomething like 90% of their heat is directed straight downwards, hence why you still get belly heat when using one as they heat the substrate pretty well, as well as providing a good ambient air temp. The bulbs themselves can easily hit 500f which is why they need to be guarded. Think the enclosure in this thread has a screen top so humidity could be an issue but with a wooden viv with the che inside i have had no problems with humidity levels at all.
stephanbakir
06-03-11, 05:18 AM
Alright, but hes also got 2 lights, humidity is going to tank, no?
Lankyrob
06-03-11, 05:38 AM
Depends what happens with the top of the cage but also with all that glass it is gonna be a nightmare with humidity i woukd think, especially for a gtp.
Teckdragon
06-03-11, 09:29 AM
The light fixture covers 50% of the screen top, and the CHE covers another 25% or so. Even if things do begin to dry out, it's nothing a couple extra mistings can't cure. The tank is going to sit for at least a month before I do anything with it, so I've got time to mess with it.
hauntedone
06-04-11, 12:43 PM
vey nice setup. Can't wait to see the Morelia that's supposed to go in it.
blindchicken
06-04-11, 08:09 PM
Just curious, where did you get the removable perch holders, that's exactly what I've been looking for to put in my python's new enclosure
Teckdragon
06-04-11, 10:16 PM
They're closet sockets/brackets. You can find them at any Lowes or Home Depot. The smallest size I've seen is 1", but mine are 1 5/8" to allow for larger perches. Also, it's easier to buy larger branches and cut them down to size instead of trying to find that exact one that will fit in there. I used branches I found for bird perches, removed the threading, and then cut them to size.
Teckdragon
06-04-11, 10:17 PM
Here's my baby JCP taking the new tank for a spin. He won't be living here, but I'll let him get some exercise in it for now.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253928_10100245311176281_5021305_51962328_6539835_ n.jpg
stephanbakir
06-05-11, 06:19 PM
Gona need to try that.
forkedtongue
09-13-11, 01:59 PM
How are the closet brackets fixed to the tank? Very awesome setup, +1
Teckdragon
09-18-11, 09:08 AM
How are the closet brackets fixed to the tank? Very awesome setup, +1

Clear 100% GEII Silicone.

Here's some updated photos. Unfortunately most/all of the creeping fig has died off, and I don't know exactly why.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305701_10100402266985581_5021305_53449197_18143039 55_n.jpg

And here's a video of her eating:

Bindi Feeding - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_0BwyvU8x8)
Freebody
09-18-11, 09:15 AM
set up looks good.
millertime89
09-23-11, 09:07 PM
looks good, what IS going in there and what brand viv is it? looks like an exo-terra.
edit: nevermind, I see its an zoo-med
shaunyboy
09-23-11, 09:32 PM
you've put in a lot of work and imo it's been worth the effort,as it's turned out looking great

its one of the nicest looking,most natural set ups i've ever seen

cheers shaun
Teckdragon
09-27-11, 08:56 PM
looks good, what IS going in there and what brand viv is it? looks like an exo-terra.
edit: nevermind, I see its an zoo-med

It's an Exo Terra. There's a green tree python in there. You can see her in the upper-left of the last photo.
millertime89
09-28-11, 01:14 PM
ha! I would've been bit in the wild!
ZARADOZIA
09-29-11, 04:44 AM
Here's some updated photos. Unfortunately most/all of the creeping fig has died off, and I don't know exactly why.

I love the set up and gleaned some ideas from yours for mine.

The Fig may not have received the nutrition it requires from the soil. I would pull it out and see if you can bring it back to life. Change the soil and give it a good watering / feeding. Try using Miracle Grow Plant Food sticks.

(Info on your ficus)
Light: Bright light. Will tolerate low light, but not direct sun. Dry, shriveled leaves are caused by too much sun.

Water: Keep soil lightly moist spring through fall. Water less in winter. The soil must never be allowed to dry as the leaves will shrivel and fall off.

Humidity: Moderate to high room humidity.

Temperature: Will tolerate cool to warm temperatures (55-85°F, 13-29°C)

Soil: Any good potting mix. It prefers well-drained, organically rich soil.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring through fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Take stem cuttings in spring and root in fresh potting mix.
Teckdragon
09-30-11, 11:58 AM
Thanks for the info, but I'm not too worried about it. The way everything is layered and planted it would be more trouble than its worth to try and replant it. (Especially so with how much the root systems of the other plants have spread.) Also, just a point since you obviously cut and paste that info: you can't use fertilizer, plant food, or any other type of chemicals in natural planted vivaria. At least not if you want your animals to stay alive.
ZARADOZIA
09-30-11, 03:31 PM
Thanks for the info, but I'm not too worried about it. The way everything is layered and planted it would be more trouble than its worth to try and replant it. (Especially so with how much the root systems of the other plants have spread.) Also, just a point since you obviously cut and paste that info: you can't use fertilizer, plant food, or any other type of chemicals in natural planted vivaria. At least not if you want your animals to stay alive.


That's why I said to pull it out first. :)