How to build a nice planted vivarium

[smy_749]

Hey guys, got my wisdom teeth out and decided I would make something based on my experience the past 3 attempts (I think I have it right now), for how to make a nice planted vivarium.If there are spelling errors, I'm a bit out of it so forgive me.

Supplies you will need: Most of these are fairly cheap. Everything I bought at home depot and NE herpetoculture. They are based in CT so I can pick up locally. Prices are estimates.

1.GE II silicone, I like brown, you can use any color really. 6$
2.Appropriate sized vivarium (This tutorial is for 12x12x18 zoomed, front opening) I got 7 of these on clearance at petco, for 19.99$ each, brand new.
3. Dry bag of eco-earth, not the bag that you need to get wet and expand. 6$?
4. Great stuff foam, doesn't matter which one, I use the thickest one, the black pond one is great too just a few bucks more though. 4$
5. Razor blades. 1$
6. Cork / center piece of wood. - Had them around, probably 10$ worth.
7. "egg crate" or anything plastic / stainless steel as your substrate barrier. Crate is a bit more, I used screen I had lying around (free).
8. Hydroton / drainage layer. (can also look into false bottoms, I will try that next) 5$ on clearance at petsmart. Your local horticulture shop will be cheap.
9. Plants - I spent close to 30$
10. Lighting, this is key. Ideally between 5000-6500k lumens. I'm using a zoomed 24" t5 HO with 2 6500k bulbs. 12$ for bulbs, had the fixture.
11. Misting system or Spray bottle (most people have a bottle already)
12. Plexi glass or plastic wrap to wrap around the screen so you don't loose the humidity. Free (using wrap)
13. Substrate - I'm using ABG mix (charcoal, spaghnum, coco coir, cypress mulch, and some other stuff) from NEherp. - 10$?
14. Forgot the gun for the silicone - 4$


We will start there for now. It looks like a large list, but its not too bad, and the supplies will last for more than one if you are doing the size I mentioned. Comes out to around 100$ give or take, depending on what have and don't have already.

Pictures and steps to come soon. In the mean time I'll post a few clearer shots than the sideways one I posted earlier.

[smy_749]

[Jim Smith]

Great looking vivs!! Now all you need to add is some nice colorful poison dart frogs.

[smy_749]

Thanks! I'm thinking about it.
Still not sure if I want to add anything at all honestly, there is a 'sister viv' next to it which I built with the left overs that I will probably fill, but I'm not sure on this one.

I have a list of potentials, if I do decide to stock it.
1. A few darts (not sure on species, I'm a noob)
2. Takydromus dorsalis or smagardinus
3. Mourning geckos
4. L. williamsi
5. P. klemmeri

Thats it for now. Still going to let the cage settle in though for a few months.

[David VB]

Looks good. Any water in it?

[poison123]

Looks great! Let me come touch it so it looks better.

[smy_749]

No water, I tried water on a previous one and didnt like how it turned out. Tried to keep it simpler and get down the basics on this. Planning to write the step by step, just lazy with all the meds for my wisdom teeth! lol