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How to build a nice planted vivarium
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.
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