New terrarium

[christerb]

Hi,



This is a 4-foot terrarium I set up in September, which didn't take long time to fill up. Although it doesn't look like it, there are just over 40 plants inside. The plant with the pale ugly leaves is a B . antenniferum that was was hit by cold temps during shipping. For now, I only have 2x54w to light them.

Regards,

Christer

[drew]

really nice tank

[31drew31]

I agree with Drew. I also like the fact that there is no black framing on the outside. Gives it a nice clean look.

[H20]

I agree, that's one nice looking tank, I'm sure you'll keep adding to that tank until even moniliforme won't fit haha

[H20]

Also is that Epi-Web in the corner?

[christerb]

Thanks!

I'm sure you'll keep adding to that tank until even moniliforme won't fit haha

Probably ;D In the white pot I got B. virescens, which is kind of stupid considering how big it can grow. I have had this one since I started up this terrarium, and now four new growths are developing. Maybe not the best idea to get that one, but I couldn't resist it.

Also is that Epi-Web in the corner?

Yes, it is. I got some smaller Philippine species, and decided to mount them on some pieces of epiweb that I have had laying around for years. It has only been two weeks, but I haven't seen any problems yet. Still too early though, I know. The B. maquiliense have already decided to produce a spike, but from what I have read this species is floriferous, so that might not say much.

Regards,

Christer

[H20]

Oh I know what you mean by Bulb. virescens gettings large. That section in in my top 3. My Bulb. binnendijkii is getting pretty large, It's last growth is just over 19 inches tall and seems like its just going to get bigger. Unfortunaly my virescens and pahudii aren't nearly that big haha

Where did you get the Epiweb from?

[christerb]

Wow, that is big. Looking forward seeing that one flower for you.

The biggest growth on my B. virescens (which it arrived with) is just a bit over a foot tall. The new growth from that one has longer rhizome distance, so it will be interesting seeing how big this one will be.

I got the epiweb from Mikael at Dusk. I live in Sweden by the way.

Regards,

Christer

[H20]

Oh I'm excited to see it bloom to, It's the one I'm probably waiting for the most.

Please do update us as it gets bigger, I'll have to post when I get some more growths on mine.

I was wondering if you lived close to them. Your luckly you live so close and can trade if you ever felt like it. Living in Canada means I have to import stuff if I want anything really interesting.

[morphman]

That is a very nice tank. Can't really tell if the front doors sliding or on hinges ? I was also wondering if you thought about making a false bottom ?? That way you don't need pots and containers for your pots and containers It might also help keep the humidity up if that's what you need. Anyways... I really like the look of your tank.

Regards
Mishaal

[christerb]

Thanks Mishaal,

They are sliding doors.

I have the plants on pots to be able to move them closer or nearer the light depending on their requirements. Since I had introduced many newly acquired plants into this tank, I wanted to be able to acclimatize them individually. I will probably go for a false bottom arrangement, but I have not found a good material for this.

When I was into dart frogs, I read a lot about a plastic egg crate material that many US froggers used for their tanks. Unfortunately, at that time I had no luck finding it here in Sweden, so in the end I used under gravel filter plates. However this was never as sturdy as I had wanted. It is possible that I will find a material that will work better this time around.

Regards,

Christer

[31drew31]

Christer, another name for that egg crate is "light diffuser". I'm sure it is available because I have seen it used in dart vivariums pictures from EU. It should be sold at most big box hardware stores, in 2 x 4' pieces.

[H20]

Christer it's too bad it would cost a fortune to ship over to you haha

[christerb]

Andrew,

Yes, finding it in a hard ware store would be best. Just now, while doing a search, I found eggcrate in a on-line aquarium store here in Sweden, but it was expensive for a bit of plastic. It seems to be common in the aquarium hobby, so I will probably check out some UK aquarium stores which appear to have better prices.

I did find something that might be a usable replacement in a on-line fish pond store (apparently used for filter media). Whether it is sturdy enough is another question.

Justin,

I guess that is life. Somethings are easier to get over here, and other things is easier to acquire on your side of the pond. ;D

Regards,

Christer

[morphman]

I am sure if you look around you will find it. The first couple of times I asked for "eggcrate" at a hardware store here they looked at me like I was nuts. Even using the right term "light diffuser panels" most people don't know what they are. Once I found it the I started to show the employees what this stuff was. There are plenty of substitutes out there. The stuff you are talking about in the online store is probably the same stuff I was thinking of using on my background instead of "epiweb" . If it is then you can use it but it won't support much so you will need a pretty thick layer.

I am sure you can make a platform out of plexiglass for example and just drill it with a bunch of good size holes and voila you have a false bottom. You will need to make support columns and I usually use pieces of plastic pipe that I just cut up. Make sure you cut notches in the bottom of the plastic supports to allow water to pass then silicone them to the bottom. Before you put the plexiglass or" fiberglass" platform on top you will have to cover it with something with much smaller holes to prevent substrate or media from falling through. I usually use either landscaping fabric or window-screen mesh. Both easy to find and inexpensive.

Ok I've yapped too much but Natural Vivaria is my specialty so I tend to do that. I will try to post pictures of some of the things I mentioned cause I'm working on a tank and I have a bunch of stuff made up already. Hope this info helps.


Mishaal