Juvie crestie enclosure

[HDreptiles]

So, I picked up an Exo-Terra 12"x12"x18" viv on the cheap the other day. And my wife and I want a crestie. I figured it would be a good terrarium to start with as we plan on getting a juvinile or hatchling at the NARBC show in October. The plan is this. I am going to silicone the back wall as there is a large crack in it, and put some GS over it. Then add some wood in the GS and silicone over the background. I will also be pressing some cocoa fiber into the silicone. As for live plants, I will start with fake ones, and add live as I go just to make sure I don't kill all the plants at once. As for substrate, I am not sure what to use. I know I need a drainage layer, but beyond that, I am sorta lost. Any help would be appreciated.

Here is what I have so far.


So. The original plan was to do about 1"-2" of Hydroton, then some screen of some sort, then dirt, then some moss. Now I am wondering if I should just go a head and do a false bottom? Any suggestions?

[Sarrix]

Howdy, I have actually done almost the same thing as you with my crested. I have a GS background with a few pieces of wood sticking out. Hydroton bottom layer with a mesh screen, followed by about 4 inches of substrate. I actually got the substrate pre-mixed from New England Herp. They have a substrate specifically for rhacs. I also put springtails into the substrate as well as used leaf litter. Any questions let me know!





That is what it looked like right after planting, before it grew in. I do use one fake plant in the top left corner to give my crested a secure shaded spot to be.

[HDreptiles]

Originally Posted by Sarrix

Howdy, I have actually done almost the same thing as you with my crested. I have a GS background with a few pieces of wood sticking out. Hydroton bottom layer with a mesh screen, followed by about 4 inches of substrate. I actually got the substrate pre-mixed from New England Herp. They have a substrate specifically for rhacs.





That is what it looked like right after planting, before it grew in.

Very nice man. I am going to do a GS background too, and I am working on the false bottom right now.

[HDreptiles]

So. Some changes. I added a false bottom. The main reason is I wanted to be able to siphon out extra water without having a hose hanging out of the viv permanently. I cut a piece of 3/4" PVC and put it in one corner to run a piece of tubing down. I think I am going to be very happy with that mod. Might also have to redo the wood and ditch a Piece or two. Now I just need some screen to finish the false bottom and then on to the background.





Might just have to cut down some of the wood so It does not go all the way to the bottom. If I don't, I will have to do the background with the bottom in the tank.

Thoughts?

[Lankyrob]

This may sound like a stupid comment but it is late and i am semi-sedated, i take it you arent leaving the tape in the tank?

[HDreptiles]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

This may sound like a stupid comment but it is late and i am semi-sedated, i take it you arent leaving the tape in the tank?

Lol. Nope. That is just to support it for now until I finalize it.