30 gallon x-tall viv (planning stages, some newb questions)

[Inka4040]

Sweet, thanks, Seth, Dun. A definitive answer on the UTH goes a long way towards giving me some peace of mind. The cable heater idea just seemed like an unnecessary pita.

Dun, that thread is nuts. I've been looking at ecoweb ever since mellow sent me a link to a picture of those epiweb branches covered in moss, a few months ago. It's definitely cheaper than tree fern panels, that's for sure. The more I think about this clay idea though, the more I like it. There are a few lithophytic plants I'd like to try, some of which naturally grow on limestone. To be able to mount one to a chunk of rubble and just stick it into clay, is a really appealing thought.

I'm trying to order the tank and a thermo/hygrometer in the next few days, so I can start to get a gauge on how the temps run without heating.

 

[dundadundun]

just a friendly fyi... i stopped relying on herp/animal meters years ago due to unreliability across the board. i don't know if that issue has been improved upon in newer models, but i'd suspect not by much in anything short of the most expensive models.

i just use digital temp/moisture meters i get at home depot or walmart any more. the ones with the lead at the end of a cord that measure temp and humidity at the base and temp at the lead (referred to as outside temp on the meter due to it's marketed purpose). perfect for getting high and low temp measurements and a general idea on humidity in the enclosure. i pick them up for around $10.

i think it's definitely something worth looking into.

 

[Inka4040]

Thanks for the heads up, dun! I need to pick up some eggcrate for the bottom of the tank, so will be on the lookout for one of those as well. Just ordered the tank a few minutes ago, so hopefully I can get started on a build thread within the upcoming weeks.

 

[dundadundun]

sweet! looking forward to it.

 

[Inka4040]

Just tracked the package, and it looks like I'll be looking at some new glass tomorrow!

 

[Inka4040]

And so it begins... Definitely gonna be slow going from this point on, but having the glass right in front of me makes planning a bit easier. Next step will be a trip to home depot to pick up some eggcrate and a thermostat/humidity meter. Do you guys think a 36w pc fixture will be enough to light this thing?

 

[dundadundun]

should be fine.

 

[mellowvision]

looking good. I think 36w should be enough... but what I'm finding with my cube is the front to back spread of aquarium style lighting is a little less than what I need for even coverage. you might be ok, yours is a little narrower front to back.

 

[SafaditM3]

Hey Inka this is way off topic but my wife wants to know what kind of blue is that and who makes it?

 

[Inka4040]

looking good. I think 36w should be enough... but what I'm finding with my cube is the front to back spread of aquarium style lighting is a little less than what I need for even coverage. you might be ok, yours is a little narrower front to back.

Yeah, I was thinking about that too. With the thickness of the clay background though, I think it should be fine if the front of the tank is relegated mostly to leaf litter and low light plants. This thing actually looks bigger in person than I was imagining it.


Safadit, I don't know off the top of my head, but would be happy to check for you. There is still some of a can kicking around the basement somewhere. I'll go look at it tomorrow.