Hope you guys enjoyed the first thread on the Solomon Islands. However I am going to have to re-do Solomon Islands since the first one is too small. Here I will be doing a second biotope with some of my favourite animals.
Rather than doing a step by step, I will be doing a day by day so people can see the work that went into making these. This blog will be cross-posted on ERAS, TARAS, AlbertaAquatica and MonsterFishKeepers.
You can also keep track of the blog here: http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd293/Souggy/vivjournal/ as I commented on every single picture. However it won't be in the order of the days I commented on them.
Day 1 - Part 1
Modified 90 gallon
The 90g is being used as a temporary storage place. Originally this was to be my Sulawesi project and I was siliconing shower vents into place since someone was modifying it to be a Savannah Monitor enclosure. It was originally an aquarium, then someone drilled holes into them. Then it changed hand and it was then planned to be a cage for a Frilled Dragon. It ended up in my hands, so I gotta reverse what the original person did to the enclosure for his monitor. My only gripe is that monitors are one of those animals that do best in custom heat-retaining enclosure, NOT glass or acrylic enclosures.
90g 48"Lx18"Wx24"H
A view of the 90 gallon aquarium from a different angle. It is now zoned to be a Solomon Islands project that is to be redone. Right beside the 90 gallon is a 30 gallon Solomon Islands project that was rushed to be completed for the TARAS Spring Show 2008. Once I find the Crocodile Skink, the damn bugger, out of that enclosure, I will put it up for auction on AlbertaAquatica, ERAS and TARAS. I would post it on ReptilesCanada, but I do not feel like shipping it across-country. I KNOW that the Crocodile Skink is in there or otherwise the mealworms would not be disappearing from the ceramic food bowl daily or once every two days.
Zilla 40"Hx28"W Octogon
A Zilla enclosure I got from an ERAS member. This is zoned to be for my Sulawesi project. It is 40" high, 28"across and the sides are 12" wide. If only these vivariums are still in production, or I would grab a few for a New Caledonia project and Florida project.
Zilla Octogon Interior
Here is the interior. While inspecting the interior, I noticed a few problem areas, which I will outline in the next picture.
Zilla Problem Areas
Upon inspection, I noticed some holes were drilled at the bottom. I will have to seal them off later. If left unsealed, then I have to deal with the potential of water draining out of the cage. I think this cage was originally used for a snake with low humidity demand, but I will have to ask the previous owner what he used it for. It is not a big deal; I love the design of this enclosure anyway.
Zilla Problem #1
Close up of one of the problem areas. Just have to seal off, not a big deal.
Zilla Ventilation
Some modifications were done at the top of the enclosure. No big problem. I doubt water will pool up there.
Zilla Heat Lamp?
A big hole was cut in there, I presume for a heat lamp. What I will do is apply some screen across the top. It should still be able to retain humidity of 60%-80%, in various area, that these critters need.
Zilla Problem #2
Another area that I didn't notice upon obtaining the enclosure, but not a big problem... just need to seal it off.
Gold Skink
One of the many specimen for the Sulawesi biotope. The dirty glass is because it was in that state when I obtained it from the original owner of two of the Mabuya multifasciata. I tried cleaning it, but very little progress is made. Right now there is about 4 of them in there. I got a total of five, but the one, Twitch the female Gold Skink, that is kept separate is prone to abusing the others into not eating and self-regulate properly. However gender-based aggressiveness among skinks is not unnoticed; usually males get along with each others while females tend to prefer to be alone. Three of the ones I got from the TARAS Spring Show 2008 are still very young, so I set up this vivarium to have a heat and humidity gradient since in the first eight months of their life they are prone to scale rot and dehydration if kept in an enclosure too small. As adults, they are highly adaptive species ranging from being found in the tree tops, to being in the substrate two or three feet under to rocky outcrops. I find the pair of adults I got, Spasm and Twitch, are capable of being four different lifestyles: semi-aquatic, arboreal, terrestrial and fossorial.
Gold Skink From Above
Better view of the Mabuya multifasciata from above. The other 3 are hiding in the substrate or under the rocks scattered throughout the enclosure. They all come out and bask at different time. There doesn't seem to be any aggression issues while inspecting their toes and tails. If I got pictures of all 4 of them, the regional variation is quite obvious. Some are glossy, while others do not. Some have stripes, while others do not. The ones with stripes either have orange, red or yellow stripes. There is some speculation that the M. multifasciata is worthy of at least 6 to 10, or more, different species split. Even the vendor and original owner I got them from are unsure where the skinks came from other than a generic "Southeast Asia." M. multifasciata is found ranging from India through Vietnam down to some of the Pacific island chains; there is some speculation that they could extend to the north coastal region of mainland Australia.
Tokay Gecko
Another inhabitant for the Sulawesi biotope, a Gekko gecko I got from the TARAS Spring Show 2008. Had to use the zoom option on my camera, across the room opposite of the cage, so I can get a picture of her without her smacking herself against the glass trying to attack me. I have not seen a G. gecko this feisty and aggressive. I have not heard any barking at night, or see any large preanal pores which is an indicator of a male.
Aquarium Filter
A Fluval 204 I picked up for free. I also got a Fluval FX5, but I will be saving the FX5 for a future project, most likely the 'Living Fossil' biotope, dubbed the "Paleo," that will have large-scale waste-producing predatory fish and amphibians. Well, either the FX5 will go toward the Paleo project or my desired arowana and bichir aquarium. Not sure if I should use the 204 for a future project, for Sulawesi or the Solomon Islands re-do.
Overflow
This little thing is an overflow designed for a 30 gallon. I might be using this for one of the projects later on.
Table Ferns
Some 4" ferns that were sold either as "Table Fern," "Brake Fern" or "Pteris." Identifying these ferns can be a pain, but nonetheless most of the fern genera are wide-spread throughout the world, except for a few endemic genera, but the chance of them showing up under "Table Fern" is unlikely. So these ferns can be used for any projects.
Weeping Fig
One of the cultivator of Ficus benjimina that is widespread throughout Southeast Asia and many of the Indo-Pacific Islands. I will be using this for the Sulawesi.
Sago Palm, ZZ Plant and Snake Plant
Cycas revoluta, although native to Japan, can be used for any Southeast Asia project since it is commonly cultivated for flour. I am unsure if I should use for the Sulawesi project, or hold it for the Paleo project. The plant to the left is what I suspect is Sansevieria trifasciata. If my speculation is wrong, then it is one of the cultivated species within the same genus. If this plant extend to the Victoria Basin area, then I would be inclined to use it. The plant to the right is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, which is going toward my Victoria Basin project.
Indian Rubber Tree
Ficus elastica that I got from Wal-Mart. Got a few dead leaves I should prune, but it's looking better with each day. The Sulawesi biome is heavily influenced by the Ficus and most of the Ficus found in the Sulawesi are the strangler type. F. benjamina, F. elastica and F. pumila are all Southeast Asian plants that are known to have this behaviour.
Norfolk Pine
Got this Araucaria heterophylla as a gift from frogO_Oeyes, along with the Podocarpus beside it. I will probably use both of them for a New Caledonia project. Although the A. heterophylla has potential to be used for the Paleo project as well, but A. heterophylla are commonplace.
Yellow-Wood Pine
A Podocarpus that I received as a gift from frogO_Oeyes. I am not sure what this is, but I have my speculation that is one of the northern species found in Southeast Asia.
Happy Fig!
My oldest Ficus benjamina. Still have yet to drop any leaves on me. It had tolerated wetness and dryness, low sun and high sun exposure. My hardest plant; I don't know why people complain about these thing. Nonetheless, I will be using this one for the Sulawesi project.
Madagascar Dragon Tree
Dracaena marginata that I rescued from a small grocery store a year ago.Looking better everyday, but still a long way to go. I have no idea what I use this for, but I have been thinking about getting into Mantellas.
Spikemoss
Selaginella, most likely S. kraussiana since these guys love to be wet and it is commonly cultivated. Some of the other popular Selaginella prefers to have dry periods, but this species seem to prefer being wet constantly.
Aloe
An Aloe that every mother send with their sons. I will use this for the Victoria Basin project.
Rather than doing a step by step, I will be doing a day by day so people can see the work that went into making these. This blog will be cross-posted on ERAS, TARAS, AlbertaAquatica and MonsterFishKeepers.
You can also keep track of the blog here: http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd293/Souggy/vivjournal/ as I commented on every single picture. However it won't be in the order of the days I commented on them.
Day 1 - Part 1
Modified 90 gallon
The 90g is being used as a temporary storage place. Originally this was to be my Sulawesi project and I was siliconing shower vents into place since someone was modifying it to be a Savannah Monitor enclosure. It was originally an aquarium, then someone drilled holes into them. Then it changed hand and it was then planned to be a cage for a Frilled Dragon. It ended up in my hands, so I gotta reverse what the original person did to the enclosure for his monitor. My only gripe is that monitors are one of those animals that do best in custom heat-retaining enclosure, NOT glass or acrylic enclosures.
90g 48"Lx18"Wx24"H
A view of the 90 gallon aquarium from a different angle. It is now zoned to be a Solomon Islands project that is to be redone. Right beside the 90 gallon is a 30 gallon Solomon Islands project that was rushed to be completed for the TARAS Spring Show 2008. Once I find the Crocodile Skink, the damn bugger, out of that enclosure, I will put it up for auction on AlbertaAquatica, ERAS and TARAS. I would post it on ReptilesCanada, but I do not feel like shipping it across-country. I KNOW that the Crocodile Skink is in there or otherwise the mealworms would not be disappearing from the ceramic food bowl daily or once every two days.
Zilla 40"Hx28"W Octogon
A Zilla enclosure I got from an ERAS member. This is zoned to be for my Sulawesi project. It is 40" high, 28"across and the sides are 12" wide. If only these vivariums are still in production, or I would grab a few for a New Caledonia project and Florida project.
Zilla Octogon Interior
Here is the interior. While inspecting the interior, I noticed a few problem areas, which I will outline in the next picture.
Zilla Problem Areas
Upon inspection, I noticed some holes were drilled at the bottom. I will have to seal them off later. If left unsealed, then I have to deal with the potential of water draining out of the cage. I think this cage was originally used for a snake with low humidity demand, but I will have to ask the previous owner what he used it for. It is not a big deal; I love the design of this enclosure anyway.
Zilla Problem #1
Close up of one of the problem areas. Just have to seal off, not a big deal.
Zilla Ventilation
Some modifications were done at the top of the enclosure. No big problem. I doubt water will pool up there.
Zilla Heat Lamp?
A big hole was cut in there, I presume for a heat lamp. What I will do is apply some screen across the top. It should still be able to retain humidity of 60%-80%, in various area, that these critters need.
Zilla Problem #2
Another area that I didn't notice upon obtaining the enclosure, but not a big problem... just need to seal it off.
Gold Skink
One of the many specimen for the Sulawesi biotope. The dirty glass is because it was in that state when I obtained it from the original owner of two of the Mabuya multifasciata. I tried cleaning it, but very little progress is made. Right now there is about 4 of them in there. I got a total of five, but the one, Twitch the female Gold Skink, that is kept separate is prone to abusing the others into not eating and self-regulate properly. However gender-based aggressiveness among skinks is not unnoticed; usually males get along with each others while females tend to prefer to be alone. Three of the ones I got from the TARAS Spring Show 2008 are still very young, so I set up this vivarium to have a heat and humidity gradient since in the first eight months of their life they are prone to scale rot and dehydration if kept in an enclosure too small. As adults, they are highly adaptive species ranging from being found in the tree tops, to being in the substrate two or three feet under to rocky outcrops. I find the pair of adults I got, Spasm and Twitch, are capable of being four different lifestyles: semi-aquatic, arboreal, terrestrial and fossorial.
Gold Skink From Above
Better view of the Mabuya multifasciata from above. The other 3 are hiding in the substrate or under the rocks scattered throughout the enclosure. They all come out and bask at different time. There doesn't seem to be any aggression issues while inspecting their toes and tails. If I got pictures of all 4 of them, the regional variation is quite obvious. Some are glossy, while others do not. Some have stripes, while others do not. The ones with stripes either have orange, red or yellow stripes. There is some speculation that the M. multifasciata is worthy of at least 6 to 10, or more, different species split. Even the vendor and original owner I got them from are unsure where the skinks came from other than a generic "Southeast Asia." M. multifasciata is found ranging from India through Vietnam down to some of the Pacific island chains; there is some speculation that they could extend to the north coastal region of mainland Australia.
Tokay Gecko
Another inhabitant for the Sulawesi biotope, a Gekko gecko I got from the TARAS Spring Show 2008. Had to use the zoom option on my camera, across the room opposite of the cage, so I can get a picture of her without her smacking herself against the glass trying to attack me. I have not seen a G. gecko this feisty and aggressive. I have not heard any barking at night, or see any large preanal pores which is an indicator of a male.
Aquarium Filter
A Fluval 204 I picked up for free. I also got a Fluval FX5, but I will be saving the FX5 for a future project, most likely the 'Living Fossil' biotope, dubbed the "Paleo," that will have large-scale waste-producing predatory fish and amphibians. Well, either the FX5 will go toward the Paleo project or my desired arowana and bichir aquarium. Not sure if I should use the 204 for a future project, for Sulawesi or the Solomon Islands re-do.
Overflow
This little thing is an overflow designed for a 30 gallon. I might be using this for one of the projects later on.
Table Ferns
Some 4" ferns that were sold either as "Table Fern," "Brake Fern" or "Pteris." Identifying these ferns can be a pain, but nonetheless most of the fern genera are wide-spread throughout the world, except for a few endemic genera, but the chance of them showing up under "Table Fern" is unlikely. So these ferns can be used for any projects.
Weeping Fig
One of the cultivator of Ficus benjimina that is widespread throughout Southeast Asia and many of the Indo-Pacific Islands. I will be using this for the Sulawesi.
Sago Palm, ZZ Plant and Snake Plant
Cycas revoluta, although native to Japan, can be used for any Southeast Asia project since it is commonly cultivated for flour. I am unsure if I should use for the Sulawesi project, or hold it for the Paleo project. The plant to the left is what I suspect is Sansevieria trifasciata. If my speculation is wrong, then it is one of the cultivated species within the same genus. If this plant extend to the Victoria Basin area, then I would be inclined to use it. The plant to the right is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, which is going toward my Victoria Basin project.
Indian Rubber Tree
Ficus elastica that I got from Wal-Mart. Got a few dead leaves I should prune, but it's looking better with each day. The Sulawesi biome is heavily influenced by the Ficus and most of the Ficus found in the Sulawesi are the strangler type. F. benjamina, F. elastica and F. pumila are all Southeast Asian plants that are known to have this behaviour.
Norfolk Pine
Got this Araucaria heterophylla as a gift from frogO_Oeyes, along with the Podocarpus beside it. I will probably use both of them for a New Caledonia project. Although the A. heterophylla has potential to be used for the Paleo project as well, but A. heterophylla are commonplace.
Yellow-Wood Pine
A Podocarpus that I received as a gift from frogO_Oeyes. I am not sure what this is, but I have my speculation that is one of the northern species found in Southeast Asia.
Happy Fig!
My oldest Ficus benjamina. Still have yet to drop any leaves on me. It had tolerated wetness and dryness, low sun and high sun exposure. My hardest plant; I don't know why people complain about these thing. Nonetheless, I will be using this one for the Sulawesi project.
Madagascar Dragon Tree
Dracaena marginata that I rescued from a small grocery store a year ago.Looking better everyday, but still a long way to go. I have no idea what I use this for, but I have been thinking about getting into Mantellas.
Spikemoss
Selaginella, most likely S. kraussiana since these guys love to be wet and it is commonly cultivated. Some of the other popular Selaginella prefers to have dry periods, but this species seem to prefer being wet constantly.
Aloe
An Aloe that every mother send with their sons. I will use this for the Victoria Basin project.
I also dint know that Mabuya existed on Sulawesi and that one its so colorfull. 
