90g FW Vivarium/Aquarium Build
- Thread starter deepfathom
- Start date
Ya the chameleon was my primary option if not then I was looking to go with a water dragon. As for ventilation that was a major concern when I started drawing this up to try and over come all the glass I built in a "dry line" into the over flow system. The center tube between the overflow and the return line is a dry line that I'm going to use as a forced air system/misting system. The top cave is actually designed as a giant air vent for this dry line/forced air system that drives air up to to circulate the air in the tank. My plan was to mount a split system in the stand that would constantly drive fresh air using fans up into the tank to combat mold and airflow issues for the reptiles, but also I'm trying to figure out how to use a large vaporizer along with this to periodically mist the tank. Also the top portion of the front of the tank is going to be a large screen door. I've never build an enclosure for reptiles like this before so I'm definitely open to suggestions. As for the crickets I cant ever win with them in my normal reptile enclosures they end up dead in the water bowl as well. My only hope is the idea of using archer fish and other known "insect eaters" to try and deal with the suicidal nature of crickets.
Water dragons can push up to 4ft if I remember correctly. A dart frog setup would work really well and look into african butterfly fish they don't get as big as archers and love eating crickets. Also look into ex-terra monsoon system as artificial rainfall or mist. Even if you don't buy it it might help point you in the right direction. Also check out the red eyed crocodile skink they are an awesome speicies of lizard that doesn't get huge and does well in somewhat of an aquatic environment.
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So I pick up the glass panel for the front of the tank and the screen door this week. The game plan is to have it water tested and up and running by friday. I could use some input though, I've hit a snag. Do to the height of the tank lighting has become a problem. I want to be able to have a planted aquarium portion but I'm trying to figaure out what to do about light to to both meet the reptiles needs and get penetration enough grow plant life. I'm looking at maybe mounting a thin line of super bright LEDs along the front frame on each side similar to the getto lighting you see in gas station windows. Plus then throwing some other kind of lighting on top. Also I'm getting to the point were I need to pick out plant life for both the terrarium portion and the aquatic portion. Any input would be great!
Check out a powerglo bulb they do heat and uvb. Also do some research on dart frog setups. The humidity in those have to be really high and when most people set them up they include live plants that can handle that type of environment. The other thing you can do is mount flourescents on the side running from back to front that would help the water plants grow you would just have to find a way to make it look nice. The last option you can look at is google growbeam 1500. Its an LED system meant for freshwater setups you just might hsve to go with more low light plants but it would be a good system to run.
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Ya I checked out the darts frog setups, and your right they need super high humidity, but I think I've got that covered. I'm going to use a home Warm Air Humidifier designed to cover 300sgft to pipe in humidify and keep the tank temp up. The dry line in my overflow system is set aside for this reason. I will be partially sinking the humidifier water tank into the sump so that it has a constant water supply; all the while slowly pumping humidity and warm air into the main tank via the vent cave on the top of the tank. Also this system is being used to heat the tank by adding a small tank heater to the humidifier thank which will have semi open communication with the sump. If I need to I have a booster fan system designed to help force the warm air up but I dont think I will need the extra boost. I've got the stand partially built and it will house a 15g sump tank. I'll post pics later on this week as the stand is completed and the front glass panel is added to the tank. Thx for the input on the lighting I'll luck the growbeam 1500s up. I was going to try and use a 3w per LED strip I found online but its an HK distributor so I'm not 100% sold on quality.
that is going to be a great looking tank.
A water dragon requires a lot more room than you can provide in that set up. I agree with a previous post on dart frogs or a newt set up.
A water dragon requires a lot more room than you can provide in that set up. I agree with a previous post on dart frogs or a newt set up.
I was just recommending you look at the plants in a dart frog as they may be good plants to use in your current setup. Let me know what you think of the 1500s as I am about to purchase 3 of them for mu tank revamp. Keep me updated with pictures as I am interested to see how this turns out.
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There are also misting systems. Worth their weight in gold when keeping dart frogs.
Must have.
http://www.mistking.com/
Must have.
http://www.mistking.com/
SIDE NOTE: LESSONS LEARNED
Drilling a 90g for this project; EASY just takes FOREVER.
Drilling a 29g for a side project while you wait for glass; EASY to totally F%$# UP.
Drilling a 90g for this project; EASY just takes FOREVER.
Drilling a 29g for a side project while you wait for glass; EASY to totally F%$# UP.
