Completed 10 gallon gecko/frog tank

[rrhill]

I didn't want to put these pics with the other pics of the 29 gallon tank. This is a 10 gallon horizontal set up. Used the same foam/silicone/coir method. All the plants in this tank are live, I'm not a fan of fake plants. The pothos isn't as perky as it usually is but some of the tillandsias were blooming and I thought they looked great. I will be putting a regular old metal screen top on this one.
From the left...

From the top...

From the right...

Right side, close up...

Sorry about the glare on the glass.

 

[robin]

that looks awesome

 

[Jeanne]

You have talent! Thats an awesome set-up!

 

[rrhill]

Well hey lady, why don't you post a pic of the one I sent you? Throw some plants in there a viola. I need to get that pothos growing on the background to really have the effect I want.

 

[Jeanne]

Well hey lady, why don't you post a pic of the one I sent you? Throw some plants in there a viola. I need to get that pothos growing on the background to really have the effect I want.

I have it in my tank now, I will get pics soon. One thing, do you think it would be ok to silicone it to the back so it doesn't fall over? I got some of those toppers from Jeremy at Tokay Unlimited, so my tanks are going to be verticle, and I don't want the background falling over.

Thanks again Ro-

P.S. I got your care info, thanks!

 

[rrhill]

Yeah Jeanne, if you want it to stay you can silicone it in using 2 dabs in the top corners. Or if you want to be able to remove it, use some velcro.

 

[M_surinamensis]

I said it in the last thread about this and I'll say it here... you should not put anything that can rot or mold into a permanant background like that. Further, that cocoanut shell is just going to be a feces collection point, down inside along the bottom edge where it'll have a real narrow angled corner- near impossible to clean.

I like the visual effect... it's definitely nifty LOOKING but so far the designs have seemed pretty impractical for long term use.

 

[rrhill]

Seamus, the backgrounds can be hosed off, washed/wiped with antibacteria soaps and/or nolvasan. It has been worked out!
As far as the bottom edge?!?! what are you talking about...substrate can be changed out when it gets soiled and the background (as stated) can be hosed, wiped and sprayed with nolvasan. And long term usage...these backgrounds have been used "long term" in Europe. We're just now catching on. I can also pop out these backgrounds & repair or replace any part that becomes a problem.

 

[M_surinamensis]

You're making a porous organic surface a permanant part of the enclosure, one that won't be replaced. "Hosing it off" isn't going to fix anything. You can't sterilize the wood, bark or shells you have added and they are going to be nothing more than good looking bacteria farms.

The cocoanut shell with the hole in it- it's against a flat surface I) with the hole facing straight out. Inside the cocoanut, at the bottom of the arc where it is embedded in your background you have an angled feces collection point that'll be very difficult to get inside and clean properly.

As I said... it's a great visual and there's a lot of *potential* to make a decent enclosure but the two photos you have posted so far have some serious design flaws when it comes to being safe and appropriate for long term use with animals.

 

[rrhill]

I disagree that a porous organic surface is a problem. I have had many set ups that were much more "extreme" than these and never had problems with rot/mold/bacterial issues.If there is any area that is difficult to reach I would recommend getting a bendable brush (used to clean dishes/glasses) and some antibacterial soap.
Not sure why you don't like the use of natural substances in enclosures. I like the coir because it gives a great surface for live plants to attach. Live plants are also very good at breaking down organic wastes. I had a paludarium (40 gallon) in my classroom that was heavily planted & had a cork bark round used as the plant pot; had frogs, a salamander and for awhile some fish. Other than periodic water changes, cleaning out the sponge on the filter & scraping the algae of the side of the glass, I never had to clean the tank. That set up worked for almost 4 years before I had to take it down (changed jobs). I did have to cut back the plants every two months or so because they outgrew the set up so quickly. The paludarium was 2-20 gallon long tanks; one turned upside down and laid on top of the other. There was a small screened vent on one end (the opening for a filter on the top tank) and there was never any mold of fungal growth. The humidity was always high, water frequently dripped off the top and sides. The cork bark didn't rot or mold even though it was actually partially buried in wet soil/sand. I think the planting of the tank was the reason the set up worked so well.
And once again, I think the Eurpeans have been ahead of us on designing naturalistic set ups that work. The set ups I have seen (European terrariums/paludariums and the Black Jungle set up) have required very little as far as scrubbing/cleaning/disinfecting.
Of course, most people using these backgrounds will probably opt for the fake plants and they will need to keep the background cleaned.

 

[RaiQuee]

We use at home with our darts, great stuff (that expandable foam) then let it cure and dry. We carve it to the shapes we want, and then cover it completely in black silicone to seal it. Then we add on coir fiber in a thin sheet (like a dusting) to the silicone before it dries. That way it hides the black silicone.

Looks nice, and I have noticed NO molding or rotting of any type, with some backgrounds being in there for years on end. This is also in a closed up aquarium, with glass stop. So minimal ventilation.

I don't know if it's the same as what Ro is talking about, but I think it's the same concept.

 

[Jeanne]

Not sure why, but my gecko won't go near the background. Any idea why?

 

[rrhill]

Desire' it is the exact same thing.

Jeanne...I don't know. How long has it been in there with him/her? My crested gecko (the one you sold me) is all over her background. Maybe moisten it with a little spray from a water bottle? Could just be something new for the gecko and it is weary. Let me know how it goes.

 

[Jeanne]

Desire' it is the exact same thing.

Jeanne...I don't know. How long has it been in there with him/her? My crested gecko (the one you sold me) is all over her background. Maybe moisten it with a little spray from a water bottle? Could just be something new for the gecko and it is weary. Let me know how it goes.

Maybe she is just a little scardy gecko. I will put it in a new tank with another gecko tonight

 

[leopardgecko95]

what substrate is that?

 

[rrhill]

Coir is shown in the picture as a substrate.