Jess's Dart Frog Vivarium Build Journal

Let's start with the defination of a vivarium, which is different from a terrarium. A terrarium needs to be cleaned of feces. A "viv," is a self-sustaining living machine that requires little to no clean-up by using living plants.



Now the technecalities are out of the way, let's get to the good stuff.

Well the tank and lights haven't arrived yet but I can show a picture of roughly what they will look like.

Eco Terra 24x18x18


Lights


The design I'm shooting for is tree roots coming out towards the tank. Kind of like this:


But then I had a crazy dream to elaberate upon the design, haha. Remember the Swiss Family Robinson? How about the Swiss Family Frog Robinson instead? So instead of the mainstay of creating a 100% natural environment, I'm seriously considering adding a house up high in the canopy and adding rock foot stools all the way up to the treehouse. Maybe I'll even add a little swing, lol!

Here's the wood I will be using:



And well, that's it for now I guess. Nothing more to add except this is my second viv but this one is the first time I will be building on my own.

Thanks for reading.

Tank arrived smashed to hell and back. The shipper sent me a new one and is scheduled to arrive in three days. UPS sucks! And they better not play ice hockey with my package again!

To make my fake roots, I experimented with 25ft of nylon rope. With about two lines cut to about two feet in length, I tied knots all the way down to the ends. The desired effect was uneven, knarly roots. I got my idea which inspired me from this thread: Pics my new constructed vivarium

To achieve thicker roots, I cut three two foot lines and tied knots to those.

Next on my list is finding corner, plastic planters {or cut them down myself if I have too}, one on each the top right and left sides, and I'd like another planter in the center. For the middle sides of the glass, I'm going to try and find some "vining" of sorts to give the appearence of roots growning from the ground, up.

All these ideas at the moment are just speculation. I'll know more when the Exo gets here.

Materials:

Great Stuff foam
GE Silicone I
Coco fiber mixed with Peat
Latex gloves
Patience

Picked up a few odds and ends for the viv.

More rope for roots/vines. The two larger PVC is to add depth to the background. The smaller one is my stump where most likely two very nice bromalieds will be added to each of the two holes.