| | Current Music: | stars | | Security: | | | Subject: | jinkies | | Time: | 10:09 pm | | Current Mood: |  tired |
|
| Alright, HUGE update.
I mentioned last time that i had screwed on my plexi-glass lid. Well, here are the pic's at last.
The Plexiglass is screwed right on to the frame in order to maintain a tight seal. While this makes top access difficult, it is safer for the frogs
Yes, I also added some airplants at the upper levels
Moving right along, I drilled the Hole for the bulkhead which i purchased at big als along with a strainer. The sales staff also put together an appropriate elbow peice for me. They were extremely helpful, however, my hunt for java moss continues. I'll probably just have to order it online.
To drill the Hole I used a circulat saw bit (1 5/8")
Bulkhead and strainer, the white is what remains of the label
Here we can see the elbow joint, which wil eventually lead down to my sump
While I had a powerdrill in my hands, I decided it would be cool to make the waterfall. I drilled right through the foam and through the back with a spade bit. I then fed the output from my fluval into the hole
I then added one of what I call the "loopy peices" that comes with the filter. These are meant for those who would use this filter for fish tanks. Psh. Fish....
With this peice directing the flow downwards, excess tubing could be pushed back intil the output is as discreete as possible
OMG its running.
chaos
For those interested in the back plumbing
I later out a ring of hot glue around this just to hold it in place
So I filled my tank that night, well, water section that is. I have the added advantage of working at a pet store so I get an utterly rediculous discount on actually nice aquarium plants
why's it so blue :?
Doing some more hardscape work
Added some more 'roots'
Got some massive air plants are Sheradin Today
More Details
This stump peice is pretty nifty and I decided to really work it in as a focal point
With all the new plants I bought, I rinsed them as much as possible to remove any possible chemicals and I tried to remove as much old Potting soil as possible. They're just sitting righ here while I woked on the design
Two 5 Liter bags of peat mixed with a solid quantity of 1/2 spring water, 1/2 aged tap water. MMMMMpeat goop. This was done to saturate the peat. Its much easier to keep peat damp than it is to rehydrate it. There's also a thin thin layer of spagahm moss on top of the false bottom to help facilitate drainage.
Another reason I like peat is because its very moldable and holds its shape better than other media. To mold this stuff I scooped out a big pile of sludge, squeezed it dry and the packed it into the desired shape/landscaping. Here we can see how I'm packing it to make the terrain flow with the stump.
Packing it arounf all sides of the plants to ensure they stay moist. I find I have most trouble keeping transplants if they're not completely in contact with the new media. Using the peat, you can also direct which way the plants are facing.
Looking good?
At the nursery, the casheir was very into what I was doing, and asking me all sorts of questions. Anywas, becuase they work in a plant shop, they're constantly taking cuttings and doing cool stuff like that to entertain themselves. She gave me a cutting that a casheir had made a year ago, but the woman no longer worked there. This thing is really cool, but when she showed me the adult plant My eyes nearly bulged out of my head, it was huge! It didnt say what specie it was, but it was about 2 and a half feet tall, with slightly palm like leaves. I dunno. anyway, Im planting the baby in here for now. Its got a cool swolen caudex.
Uhm, I think that's it for now?
Shipment of my misting system was slightly delayed due to part trouble. It should come soon.
Oh yea, I almost forgot....
I GOT FROGS. I picked up two phyllobates vittatus while at the Ontario Reptile Convention in Missisauga. I bought them from mark pepper at understory enterprises. This is good timing becuase the times the fros spend in quarentine should coincide perfectly with the completion of this tank. Hurray.
So far they're little and fat, eating pinhead crickets and large fruitflies.
anyway, i had 3 hours sleep last night, so i must crash. peace.
TO DO
finish sealing interior (done)
place eggcrate/decide on the final interior look (done)
wood (done)
foam (done)
coco-bark background (done)
dirt (done)
rocks/shoreline (done)
plexiglass top (done)
order mist system (done)
install mist system
construct hood w/ lights
drill overflow hole (done)
waterfall (done)
install bulkhead (done)
finish sump
water (done)
plant it (dont think this will ever be done) | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment   |
| Today:
Screwed on my plexi-glass top. had some minor troubles with cracking
that i had to resolve, but its all good now. i attached some airplants,
and some spagham moss to the cotton cloth i used to attach some of my
orchids.
Annnddddd....
I finally ordered my misting system. It was definatly an expense ill be
recovering from for a while. I found some great sights for harder to
find plants, the only question is if i order them now or later (now?
yes, methinks so)
and yes, if anyone's wondering, i do retroactivly edit my to do list.
TO DO
finish sealing interior (done)
place eggcrate/decide on the final interior look (done)
wood (done)
foam (done)
coco-bark background (done)
dirt (done)
rocks/shoreline (done)
plexiglass top (done)
order mist system (done)
install mist system
construct hood w/ lights
drill overflow hole
install bulkhead
finish sump
water
plant it (gettin' there)
| | comments: Leave a comment |
| Alright, well, next update.
Its been a while, but christmas has come and gone, new years, and we've
successfully moved houses (back into our newly renovated abode that
is).
I've done a LOT of work on the tank, and its quickly approaching
completion.
We'll let the photo's do the talking.
Here we can see I've done all (see: most) of the background's ground coconut shell application.
Another pic, closer up.
After a bit of planting, I ended up taking out the pitcher plant, there just wanst a "right space" for it.
More planting....................... I used very loose weave cotton
cheesecloth cut into strips to attach epiphytes (mostly orchids)
Unfortunatly when I moved this orchid in it didnt do so well, weird
becuase i have two others in there which are just fine. then i saw the
dreaded fluffy white spots. UGH, I HATE MEALY BUGS!!!!! SO i spent
hours with Q-Tips and a bottle of rubbing achohol cleaning the plants
off. Im going to do a CO2 Purge before I put animals in. More on that
later.
Slightly closer up. Vrisea splendins, a few orchids and another brom....
Dendrobium Thai jeng X - A minutature Dend. Species......
Detail of Vrisea Splendins (sp?).....
I had to take a few plants out when we moved he tank. Here it still has no substrate in the bottom (water or false)....
I also put in the rock wall. Its made of shale rock, and i did some carving in and around the waterfall.
Detail of Rock Wall
Sorry for the shisty Pic. This shows my tank with the substrate in top
and bottom. Im using Geosystem fine walnut gravel for the bottom and
mostly peat moss on top (yes. i do feel guilty for using it. no one
need remind me its a non renewable resource)
OK
That, aaannndddd, I replaced my light bulbs with better quality ones
and with the correct kelvin temps (6700k, although i would have
prefered one to be slightly redder). I also cut the peice of wood for
the cross bar, and bouth the plexiglass im using for the top. For
simplcities sake im just screwing the plexiglass to the top and making
a ligh thood that goes on top of that. This will give me a better fit
in the long run and ensure no escapages.
Im so tired. Kill me.
bloop.
TO DO
finish sealing interior (done)
construct hood w/ lights
place eggcrate/decide on the final interior look (done)
order mist system
wood (done)
foam (done)
coco-bark background (done)
drill overflow hole
install bulkhead
finish sump
water
dirt (done)
plant it (gettin' there)
install mist system
| | comments: Leave a comment |
| Ok, so I'm most definalty getting more progress done that my normally
slow pace. Today more foaming work on the right. I tipped the tank onto
its side to do this. I also finished putting the stones in place for
the waterfall. I picked up some cork bark from work today (love the 30%
discount) and used that. Here are the latest Picks. Project work may be
temporarily suspended Due to Holiday Timeframe.
finished waterfall. Placing Wood for side.
Side foamed. Im going to cut holes and put in some mesh pots for larger plants when it dries.
TO DO
finish sealing interior (done)
construct hood w/ lights
place eggcrate/decide on the final interior look (done)
order mist system
wood (1/2 done)
foam (1/2 done)
coco-bark background
drill overflow hole
install bulkhead
finish sump
water
dirt
plant it
install mist system
| | comments: Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Copeland | | Security: | | | Time: | 10:24 pm | | Current Mood: |  thirsty |
|
| Ok. Larger update. I finished the scaffolding, put fiberglass screening
on the top attached it and the PVC supports to the tank bottom.
The, a day or two later I put down my major background peices. I
attached them with silicone and then the next day put down my first
layer of Triple Expanding Foam. However I only had enough foam to do
half the backside. Irrelevent anyways, seeing as how I need to finish
the waterfall first.
Placing some larger peices. The rocks on the right side are for the waterfall.
One can of Polyeurathane foam later. I had to do a lot of deep suff for this part. Sorry for the shaky picture.
Two cans later. Yes that is my leg in the left hand corner. K, a little
word of caution to anyone whos heard about how great stuff is sticky,
but hasnt really taken it seriously. This crap sticks Like Mad. Im so
glad i wore disposable gloves, and I went through three pairs. DO NOT
GET THIS STUFF ON ANYTHING BECUASE IT WONT COME OFF (eyes, hair,
carpet, dog, sink, little brothers...)
Today I bought a Block of Coco-bark, 100% organic (mabye thats just a
marketing ploy, meh) and a heater for my sump. Tonight Im installing a
cross bar across the top to prevent any warping.
I also bought a canister filter for the waterfall/sump deal
TO DO
finish sealing interior (done)
construct hood w/ lights
place eggcrate/decide on the final interior look (done)
order mist system
wood (1/2 done)
foam (1/2 done)
coco-bark background
drill overflow hole
install bulkhead
finish sump
water
dirt
plant it
install mist system
| | comments: Leave a comment |
| OK wow. Ill cut the crap and make this short.
I water tested for 5 days and eveything looked good. So i drained it,
and then coated the bottom ina full layer of silicone over the area
that would be constantly submerged. I didnt need to do this, but I did
anyway. If it doesnt leak with the pond paint, it wont leak with a
layer of silicone on top. If the silicone tears or peels off, the pond
paint is there to seal the wood out.
then I resealed the corners with aquarium sealent. Can you tell im anal about havuing a leak?
Next I cut out and made my false bottom
im letting this set, then Ill put it in tomorrow. Hopefully Ill get to the background soon
TO DO!!
finish sealing interior (done)
construct hood w/ lights
place eggcrate/decide on the final interior look (done)
order mist system
wood it
foam it
wood it
coco-bark it
water it
dirt it
plant it (<--- best part!!)
mist it (aka, install system)
| | comments: Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Mirrormask Soundtrack | | Security: | | | Subject: | Say ain't so | | Time: | 06:43 pm | | Current Mood: |  weird |
|
| Well, yea, a little of a gap here.
We had a few tiny leak holes, but I have patched them up. Its been 24
hours and as of now no leaks. (Anyone who reads this knock on wood as
you do). Normally I wouldnt care, but as of a week ago I first made
this thing public and I apparently have a few readers now.
If all goes well, tomorrow I'll begin construction of the background.
IN THE MEANTIME, Heres some filler to keep you occupied.
Ok. So. One day, a few weks ago, this turtle shows up in our chemisty
class. Its in a glass tank and crap like that, but it was kind of
unexpected. This turtel was in a tank with just a little palstic rock
and 4cm of water. The water never got changed (turtles need filters
anyways....), the turtle never got fed and they never de-chlorinated
the water when they added new stuff.
The turtle was obviously
suffering from neglect. It was unheated in our freezing chem lab. So a
classmate tried to take it home. However, the little girl who
"dontated"
the turtle to the school in the first place wouldnt let him.
So the
deal was she "donated it" but in a way where it was still "her turtle".
Basically she didnt want to feed it anymore or care about it. And Our Chem Teacher
didnt want it at all. So no one wants this turtle, its dying of
neglect, and the stupid little brat owns it wont let anyone who will
actually give a shit about it care for it.
So we decided to take it.
It
was decided that I would take it, given that Im a loser and work in a
pet store and would logicaly have the most access to stuff needed for
typical turtle care. I love having random turtles thrown at me.
So we told the science teacher that were taking
it home for the long weeknend (Since the department that didnt want it
or ths stupid bitch that doenst care about it didnt make any plans
about how to FEED IT on the 3 day weekend).
Our teacher knows we arn't
giving it back. On Monday sara and kim are going to "have a little
talk" with the girl. Personally if I were that girl I would run away
and never come back. Worst comes to worst, I give it back, and lend
them the heat lamp, water purifier, food, all the gravel and rocks Ive
put in the tank, along with some other misc. stuff.
Say hello to (insert name here). If anyone knows what kind of turtle it is, then feel free to tell me.
I went to the Ontario Reptile Expo today. I say some frogs that I
really wanted, but alas that is why we dont bring parents. Im not
authorized to make any new additions until We've Moved.
....damnit!
TO DO!!
construct hood w/ lights
place eggcrate/decide on the final interior look
order mist system
wood it
foam it
wood it
coco-bark it
water it
dirt it
plant it (<--- best part!!)
mist it (aka, install system) | | comments: Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Broken Social Scene | | Security: | | | Subject: | |-|2() | | Time: | 11:38 pm | | Current Mood: |  stressed |
|
| Ok. Insides sealed, now im testing water. the bottom is halfway filled
as of now, if shits good tomorrow, ill fill it further. Im going to
test for at least 3 days. On a sidenote, my plants are looking really
good. I *think* some of the seeds I planted are germinating. *THINK*. I
wont say anymore for fear of jynxing it.
Oh man, broken social scene is playing at the Kool hause in January. I just picked up their new album last week. Its effin great.
TO DO!!
finish sealing interior DONE
construct hood w/ lights
place eggcrate/decide on the final interior look
order mist system
wood it
foam it
wood it
coco-bark it
water it
dirt it
plant it (<--- best part!!)
mist it (aka, install system) | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Ok, I relaly havnt done much, but I wanted to update, so its LIST TIME
I think over halfway done
TO DO!!
finish sealing interior (ugh)
construct hood w/ lights
place eggcrate/decide on the final interior look
order mist system
wood it
foam it
wood it
coco-bark it
water it
dirt it
plant it (<--- best part!!)
mist it (aka, install system)
inhabit it. Id like to be able to do this by Nov. 27th, so I can mebbe pick up some residents at the expo.
If I do decide on darts I should start culturing flies now though. Oh decisions decisions.
| | comments: Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Motion City Soundtrack | | Security: | | | Subject: | where am I? | | Time: | 08:05 pm | | Current Mood: |  confused |
|
| Wow, I partied a little too hard last night, so no real work today.
2 days ago I finished stripping the old sealent (ugh, so messygrosswtf)
So I re-sealed it all with 100% silicone and then the next day (yesterday) put on a new layer of sealent paint.
No pix today. Later. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| |
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viv_proj's journal
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