Hey everyone. I'm starting to sketch out some plans for my next project, and after must internal conflict, have decided that I'd be happier in the long run with a viv than with another half butted attempt at a reef tank. It's been years since I've even attempted any full sized viv or terrarium however, and I've got a few questions pertaining to hardware and some setup issues that hopefully you guys can help me with.
The two most pressing questions I have pertain to misting systems, and heating such a tank. I've looked into the mist king system, and as quality as it looks, the fact that I need to drill holes for the mister nozzles is a bit worrisome. I don't have the requisite tools or know how to be drilling holes into glass lids, and actually, am worried enough about just finding a glazier who will cut a thick enough lid for use. Are there any automation friendly systems that don't necessarily need to have the nozzles drilled in for installation? Also, I am assuming that these vivs should not be entirely sealed off, and require some sort of ventilation. How do I accomplish this in a smaller setup without creating an escape risk?
As for heating, what are the generally accepted options for heating a setup like this? In the interest of simplicity, I would like to avoid any need for a water feature, or false bottom with reservoir that could fit an aquarium heater. Do under tank heating pads or behind the back heating pads heat efficiently? What are the controls like, and how reliable are they at keeping specific temperatures? I tend to keep my room on the cold side at night, and worry about the ambient day/night temperatures in the tank swinging wildly between the low 60s and mid 80s (at least during the summer).
I am not going to lie. The first and foremost concern in the construction of this viv is absolutely aesthetics. I would definitely enjoy some small inhabitants (leaning towards dendrobates auratus or leucomelas) but if the conditions are not fit for them, that is secondary to the visual impact of the setup. Ghazanfar Ghori's tank linked below is the inspiration I am working from.
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/members-frogs-vivariums/9098-construction-completed-9.html
As such, the tank will be furnished with fern bark panels on the back as well as both sides. The scaping will consist of a large pile of lava rock in the back left of the tank, with numerous manzanita branches coming from the corners as can be seen in my poorly drawn diagram (attached). The lava rock area will be directly under a mister head, and I plan to grow numerous anubias cultivars along with some aquatic liverworts and mosses over the whole structure. The idea is to get complete plant coverage over the lava rock, and it will be there mainly to add some dimensionality and texture, as well as serve as a raised area for growing more delicate plants. The backs and sides will probably be planted with small ferns and hydrocotyle, creeping ficus, pepperomia, and other small plants in order to create a wall of mixed growth.
Sorry for the overly verbose post. Any ideas, suggestions, or reactions would be greatly helpful. Thanks in advance.
The two most pressing questions I have pertain to misting systems, and heating such a tank. I've looked into the mist king system, and as quality as it looks, the fact that I need to drill holes for the mister nozzles is a bit worrisome. I don't have the requisite tools or know how to be drilling holes into glass lids, and actually, am worried enough about just finding a glazier who will cut a thick enough lid for use. Are there any automation friendly systems that don't necessarily need to have the nozzles drilled in for installation? Also, I am assuming that these vivs should not be entirely sealed off, and require some sort of ventilation. How do I accomplish this in a smaller setup without creating an escape risk?
As for heating, what are the generally accepted options for heating a setup like this? In the interest of simplicity, I would like to avoid any need for a water feature, or false bottom with reservoir that could fit an aquarium heater. Do under tank heating pads or behind the back heating pads heat efficiently? What are the controls like, and how reliable are they at keeping specific temperatures? I tend to keep my room on the cold side at night, and worry about the ambient day/night temperatures in the tank swinging wildly between the low 60s and mid 80s (at least during the summer).
I am not going to lie. The first and foremost concern in the construction of this viv is absolutely aesthetics. I would definitely enjoy some small inhabitants (leaning towards dendrobates auratus or leucomelas) but if the conditions are not fit for them, that is secondary to the visual impact of the setup. Ghazanfar Ghori's tank linked below is the inspiration I am working from.
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/members-frogs-vivariums/9098-construction-completed-9.html
As such, the tank will be furnished with fern bark panels on the back as well as both sides. The scaping will consist of a large pile of lava rock in the back left of the tank, with numerous manzanita branches coming from the corners as can be seen in my poorly drawn diagram (attached). The lava rock area will be directly under a mister head, and I plan to grow numerous anubias cultivars along with some aquatic liverworts and mosses over the whole structure. The idea is to get complete plant coverage over the lava rock, and it will be there mainly to add some dimensionality and texture, as well as serve as a raised area for growing more delicate plants. The backs and sides will probably be planted with small ferns and hydrocotyle, creeping ficus, pepperomia, and other small plants in order to create a wall of mixed growth.
Sorry for the overly verbose post. Any ideas, suggestions, or reactions would be greatly helpful. Thanks in advance.
