60gal vivarium with stream construction - Lots of pics

[40zDicTator]

Not a complete journal, but some pics of the waterfall, stream, and background process.

This first set of pics show the tupperware used as an upper pool that will overflow as a waterfall. You can see the background is greatstuff foam and cork bark. I used eggcrate to create a false bottom and a false wall (right corner) that I use for access to water pumps. The left side false bottom is shaped to have a stream trickle down to the lowest water level.










Now the background is covered and gravel is in.. I formed the rocks so the center pool area is 1 inch of gravel and raised edges on all sides except where I want the water to flow down the stream. Next I cut some visclene plastic (found at Home Depot, I used 3 mil thick) to the shape of the pool and streem. I put it in place and held it down with rocks.. I tested the water feature and works well, but no pics of the test. I then syphoned water out and placed a fan over the tank and let it air out for 2 days.





Now I applied silicone on both sides, adhering the visclene to the screen on my false bottom. More silicone was added to the top of the visclene on the sides of the pool and rocks glued in place to make sure the walls are covered from sight and the frogs have an easy exit.









Water in, substrate in.







With the pumps (2 60gph beckett (spelling?) pumps from home depot) on the right side filling up the top pool, water over flows to the middle pool, and streams down to the lowest pool on the left side through some rocks, then through all the gravel under the center pool to get back to the right side again where the pumps are, I feel this is a great biological filter.





Its a bit moist in there with the sealed lid and no vents, so I will be installing 2, maybe 3 little fans on the back plastic strip(standard fish tank lid).

In my opinion, the waterfall doesnt look very natural. When some plants grow in and cover it, I feel it will look much better. I do however like the stream feature very much. It was very easy to do and should last.

I think I am ok at the backgrounds/landscape part of making vivs, its the planting that gives me trouble.

The substrate is some NatureSubstrate SoftChips all natural coconut husk chips mixed with T-rex Cypress Bed. It stays a bit moist for now, but Im sure it will keep dryer when I get the fans installed.

Someone wanna help me with planting this sucker? Keep in mind the low hight. All I have in there now is some sphagnum on the water edge and some other spots.

Running a 96 watt 36 inch 6500k compact fluorescent light. Works great even though its a foot shorter than the tank.

I have Red Galacts in my mind for this tank, but really unsure. Any suggestions for a group frog that will enjoy the stream and waterfall?

Any comments/questions welcome.

Frank

[Travisf50]

Once again your vivarium has inspired me to build another one. My 30 is almost done, just ordered final things from Black Jungle yesterday. Now if only I can convince my fiance to let me spend the money on another project. Looks fantastic as always. Keep us posted. I'll have pics of mine up shortly.

[40zDicTator]

I purchased a couple red galactonotus from Rich Frye.


Some updated shots with the plants





The pup is almost as big as momma




I installed the fans I mentioned earlier


The power supply for the fans

It stays pretty clear with the fans on. It clears up pretty fast too, I run the fans for about an hour to clear up the glass, and turn off the fan so the vivarium doesnt dry out too much.
before

after

some more shots








I think that might be enough hock: