90 Gallon Dart Frog Vivarium - DialUp Warning -

[Marty]

This is a repost from another forum. I've redone my 90 galon diamond viv. After few years of service, the tree fern panels fell apart on me. I decided to build it to last forever. I used epiweb and mortar. Here are some pics of the process

I cant seem to find the early photos, so I'll start with the epiweb already glued to the glass with aquarium silicone. Some black foam is already on.

Haba Create from Deven at HerpInvert.

Future waterfall.

Installed an extra light in the canopy. From AH Supply.

Misting System connected directly to the RO supply. Never have to fill up a reservoir.

This tank is not drained. Prior to this setup I had to disconnect the filter and siphon off a bit of water when the level was getting too high. I decided to use a spare pump and tap into the canister filter and pump off the excess water directly into the house plumbing. Now when I need to get rid of some water I just flip a switch. Actually, I have it rigged on a timer, idea is to turn it on daily for say 20 sec to pump off the extra water automatically.

Canopy open, with the extra light in the lid

Acrylic Lid lifted with a fan to keep the condensation off.

I hate false bottoms. For this setup I used epiweb chunks as a substrate. It will also act as a filter. Landscaping fabric on top. YOu can see the water area forming.

<... continued on next post ...>

 

[Marty]

Didn't want the front to show epiweb, so I jammed some aquarium gravel in the front of the tank.

Ready for planting

Part of the plants from Antone of Spring Valley Tropicals. All plants arrived in great shape. Anton was a pleasure to deal with!

Front Pannel with all the controls. Timers are visible when the cabinet door is open. These switches control the following: viv lights, cabinet light, waterfall (filter), heater, drain pump, air bubbles in the water, misting system and the fans... Timers are used for the drain pump, misting system and the lights. It was a pain to set up and organize the wire jungle, but it's a lot of fun operating the viv from the pannel.

Vivarium has been planted for about 1 week. Broms are dropping roots already.

I don't want to use and java moss nor any other moss for that matter. I'm going to experiment with riccia only. I got bunch of riccia from Brian of Brian's Tropicals. It arrived in perfect shape. Brian is very easy to deal with.

More riccia

The water area with a few plants.

Broms from Antone.

Waterfall and some riccia

Misting System is working overtime in this tank. I want to make sure that riccia takes over the tank.

This is the fresh tank after about 7-10 days. I still need to add few more plants and wait for everything to overgrow. I'm waiting for some miniature orchids. Right now there is a group of 8 leucs roaming around the viv.

<... continued on next post ...>

 

[Marty]

Few pics of the occupants - Leucs

 

[jhappe]

wow, wish i had a setup like that

 

[ConcertPhotog]

WOW! Thats just plain fantastic!!! I've been debating about taking an old 55 gallon long tank that I'm not using and converting it for dart frogs... maybe after my chams get a bit older, I think it's best I spend the time on them now. Very inspirational though!

 

[SeanCJ]

That is the best looking vivarium I have seen in a long time! Absolutely top notch! Even better than zoo quality. You are very talented!
You should be proud of that! Thank you for sharing the process.

 

[Marty]

Thanks for the compliments. It doesn't have much growth yet. I'll be putting miniature orchids and some carnivorous plants into it. I'd imagine that in about 6 months will look really good when the riccia over grows the walls and vines take over the tank.

 

[THECHAMMAN]

better than my zoo's dart frog setup. i wish i could do that with my dart frogs.

 

[Orchidartist]

That is an absolutly STUNNING vivarium! WOW!! I would love to attempt something that size for my Darts!

 

[ciafardo 4]

Marty you are truely talented that is really impressive work you really should do design work for zoo's all over the world if you don't already.That is just amazing and the frogs are nice to outstanding work!

 

[ciafardo 4]

does the glass get really nasty from water spots?

 

[THECHAMMAN]

that is so beautiful

 

[Marty]

does the glass get really nasty from water spots?

Zero waterspots, I only use RO water which dries spot free

 

[gregdabender]

That is amazing...I would love to have something like that inside my home. It would be like have a living jungle inside your home...simply awesome !

 

[sandrachameleon]

Looks fantastic!
Do you ever have to clean it out? I cant imagine how you would do so.

 

[Marty]

Looks fantastic!
Do you ever have to clean it out? I cant imagine how you would do so.

I know what you're thinking.

Cool thing about dart frogs is that they don't crap large or a lot. It's small and black and great fertilizer for all the live plants. Frog crap is never an issue. No issues with smell. The only thing I do in my tanks is every month or two I wipe the glass with paper towel and water. Sometimes I add fresh leaf litter and I prune the plants because they tend to get out of control. I'd say on this tank, I'll do 20-30 minute maintenance once per month...I may do more, just because it's fun Every few months I clean sponges on the canister filter.

 

[BMXICAN]

Wow!

*TAKES OFF HAT*

 

[Chameleonboy]

Incredible dart frog tank.

Do you breed darts?

 

[Marty]

Incredible dart frog tank.

Do you breed darts?

There's always something laying eggs, but I don't really have time for it too much. If I have extras I usually trade them locally.

 

[dodolah]

wow!!!!! very very impressive.. I think I just cried a li'l bit