hydrophyte
New Member
Hey thanks so much!
37G Forest Floor Viv
- Thread starter hydrophyte
- Start date
SliK JiM
New Member
If you don't mind me asking, what sort of lighting do you use? And now, the crucial question, how can you replicate that lighting in an enclosure that is 7' tall!? I've tried twice (and failed miserably) at getting ferns to grow at the bottom of very tall enclosures (i've just about managed to keep moss alive) and the only thing I think would cause the issues is a lack of 'good' light at the bottom of the enclosure. Any thoughts?
p.s - I'm starting a dartfrog project soon, so will keep watching for more advice!
p.s - I'm starting a dartfrog project soon, so will keep watching for more advice!
hydrophyte
New Member
If you don't mind me asking, what sort of lighting do you use? And now, the crucial question, how can you replicate that lighting in an enclosure that is 7' tall!? I've tried twice (and failed miserably) at getting ferns to grow at the bottom of very tall enclosures (i've just about managed to keep moss alive) and the only thing I think would cause the issues is a lack of 'good' light at the bottom of the enclosure. Any thoughts?
p.s - I'm starting a dartfrog project soon, so will keep watching for more advice!
That enclosure just has an old CF aquarium strip light on it. The ferns only need moderate light to grow well. Hyla versicolor is a nocturnal frog and apparently does not need extra UV lighting.
Have you tried LEDs? Fluorescent lamps emit diffuse light that bounces in all directions, but LEDs emit directional light that can penetrate much better.
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hydrophyte
New Member
Thanks so much! Hey I'd love to get a start on one of the drop-in features. Just let me know what you want.
JonRich
New Member
https://www.chameleonforums.com/drop-manzanita-features-88634/
Hey Rob. I actually really like this exact fixture and its already for a 12x12x18 ExoTerra
hydrophyte
New Member
Yep I still have that one for the 12 X 12 X 18.
JonRich
New Member
I have to order some stuff from you in about a month or so. I am about to re-do all my enclosures. I am going ALL GLASS eurrything!!
Once i get everything planned out, then i can plan out whats being housed in what and how to build it and whats needed. Only a few will be utilizing the "forest floor" kit, some i would like to get some drop-in wooden fixtures for. I will also need a tonnnn of ABG mix.
I really like your ABG mix. I got some ABG mix from a local place and i assume they used organic soil and HOLY HELL do we have gnats!!
I didn't have this with the ABG from you.hydrophyte
New Member
What kinds of enclosures are you getting? If they are like Protean terrariums they won't work the same with the drop-in features because that plastic plate fits into the enclosure top plastic rim of the kind used for fish tanks and Exo Terras. There are probably other ways to put it together though.
The soil mix that I use now is actually a little different from regular ABG. I was dissatisfied with the quality of the charcoal and the tree fern fern fiber that I was able to find, so I instead use this specially-cured orchid bark and cracked clay gravel as the coarse particles. It looks to me like it works really well. It drains fast but holds moisture.
The soil mix that I use now is actually a little different from regular ABG. I was dissatisfied with the quality of the charcoal and the tree fern fern fiber that I was able to find, so I instead use this specially-cured orchid bark and cracked clay gravel as the coarse particles. It looks to me like it works really well. It drains fast but holds moisture.
JonRich
New Member
Yes. The rack will consist mainly of Protean euro-vent terrariums with some extra venting for the ones I will be keeping animals that need proper ventilation without having to resort to full screen cages.
The screen cages just make my reptile area look like a garage.
I will still have 3 ExoTerras . (2 I have plans for wooden fixtures and 2 with the forest floor kits).
Unfortunately I found a issue with the kit and my L.williamsi . The newly hatched babies will probably be able to pass through the screen or small openings and enter the void under the floor and possibly get stuck down there and starve or drown). So I will be keeping Pygmy Chams in the current ExoTerra and doing another ExoTerra with a wooden fixter and the more traditional layered substrate.
The screen cages just make my reptile area look like a garage.
I will still have 3 ExoTerras . (2 I have plans for wooden fixtures and 2 with the forest floor kits).
Unfortunately I found a issue with the kit and my L.williamsi . The newly hatched babies will probably be able to pass through the screen or small openings and enter the void under the floor and possibly get stuck down there and starve or drown). So I will be keeping Pygmy Chams in the current ExoTerra and doing another ExoTerra with a wooden fixter and the more traditional layered substrate.
tatz4ever
New Member
I love this set-up! The antler is a nice touch.
What is the glass thing that the frog is sitting on called?hydrophyte
New Member
Yeah they may be more costly, but I like the way glass enclosures look a lot better.
Yes depending upon what kind of animal it is the Forest Floor setup are probably less advised for breeding most things and better instead to use just for display setups. I am trying to find a way to seal that gap all the way around, but every idea so far is awkward.
hydrophyte
New Member
I love this set-up! The antler is a nice touch.
Thanks so much! I wanted to make this look like a real woodland scene. The glass thing is an antique telegraph line insulator. We used to find those out in the woods on the rusty old downed lines next to the train track. The glass insulator is the frog's favorite place to hang out.
SliK JiM
New Member
When you say LEDs... do you mean, the spot light type bulbs of the strips you can get these days?
hydrophyte
New Member
I think that either kind could work well. I have seen both bulb-type, screw-in LEDs and strips that had the directional light pattern.
hydrophyte
New Member
Here's a picture of the new spider! This is an adult female Avicularia metallica. I had it out in the bathtub for a few shots.
Meow Kitty
New Member
Here's a picture of the new spider! This is an adult female Avicularia metallica. I had it out in the bathtub for a few shots.
this pic made me shiver
magicalminky
New Member
This is amazing! You should be very proud of it!!
hydrophyte
New Member
I really like this spider.
This is just exactly what I envisioned for this setup.
This is just exactly what I envisioned for this setup.
hydrophyte
New Member
Another quick shot, closer...
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