My jungle

[ezil]

Well, I'm glad you joined. I've seen your terrarium at the show and wondered how long it took you to set up. Since you're a member of our OS, you know how hard it is NOT to buy miniatures (and more terrariums). Maybe you could tell me (us) how you keep everything clean and pest free.

[Tindomul]

Wow!! How big is that tank? the background looks like a living wall. My problem in fitting plants in is that many will shade over those below. How did you overcome this problem?

You say you worked on getting temps to go down at night, how did you do it? Would frogs really not enjoy this? In the wild, dropping night temps are a norm.

Do you think the that microfauna will help reduce incidence of pests?

And what are the dimensions of your tank, sorry to ask that twice, but that part gets my imagination going the most.

Oh, and do you keep the fans on all the time or intermittently??

[Paul Mc]

LOL, can you tell that we are eager to learn from you?!!!

[Connie Star]

Welcome to OB!
You've inspired me. I've been meaning to do something like that for a long time. Details, please.

[MAli]

Thanks again everyone for the awesome compliments I will try to answer as many questions as I can and if you need to pick my brain with the finer details feel free to pm me.

If you have a plant that you would like to pamper in my tank for a while (forever) send it my way. We offer temperature controlled rooms, wireless internet, cable,food, etc..

Originally Posted by ezil

Well, I'm glad you joined. I've seen your terrarium at the show and wondered how long it took you to set up. Since you're a member of our OS, you know how hard it is NOT to buy miniatures (and more terrariums). Maybe you could tell me (us) how you keep everything clean and pest free.

That was my first show and it was awesome!! It definitely won't be my last. I believe the key to keeping my tanks "fresh" is first clean moving water and second is biological control. The water issue I solve by using filtration and creating an irrigation system. I believe the moving water splashing and dripping here and there has a "life" giving property You what I mean The biological control is mainly springtails, isopods and Carnivorous plants for the land and assassin snails aquatic Cps and filter plants for the aquatic section. I culture most of my own stuff now but I am starting to experiment with some new detritus consumers.
Miniatures are becoming a serious addiction and the fact that I can fit so many in a tank does not help. I actually plan on building a tank as a token of appreciation for all unbelievable welcome I received from the AOS

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Wow!! How big is that tank? the background looks like a living wall. My problem in fitting plants in is that many will shade over those below. How did you overcome this problem?

I overcome that by using it to my advantage. I use the bigger plants to shade some plants from light or excess water.

You say you worked on getting temps to go down at night, how did you do it? Would frogs really not enjoy this? In the wild, dropping night temps are a norm.

You are right about the temperature drops in the wild but I haven't yet found a species that both fits within my parameters and I like. Besides I can't stop buying orchids I drop my temperature using evaporative cooling and I just mist and increase airflow.

Do you think the that microfauna will help reduce incidence of pests?

Depending on the pest but yes. They rock !!

And what are the dimensions of your tank, sorry to ask that twice, but that part gets my imagination going the most.

This tank measures 36"x18"x24" (LxWxH). The fans are on all the time but I vary the speed.

Oh, and do you keep the fans on all the time or intermittently??

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

LOL, can you tell that we are eager to learn from you?!!!

I am flattered. I joined this board so I can learn from everyone here.

Originally Posted by Connie Star

Welcome to OB!
You've inspired me. I've been meaning to do something like that for a long time. Details, please.

Thank you I don't know what other details you would like so for you I'm just gonna show some more pictures. I am also showing pictures of another tank I built for a customer who is ok with me showing these. The tank is till in my possession waiting to be completed. Already over twenty orchids plus other plants. The pictures show the different possibilities and also some of the irrigation lines. I think it's already beautiful but will be a stunner when it fills in a bit and all the moss gets green. Comes with filtration, circulation fans, drip line and T5HO lighting. I love the streamline design which will makes all the hardware invisible. The water area is significant enough to house quite a variety of aquatic fauna like fish, shrimp, snails or even newts or salamanders

Hope you like.

[WhiteRabbit]

wow! fabulous!

[MAli]

Thanks again

I am thinking of removing most of the bromelliads or the right side of the background to make room for more miniatures. My issue is I need to keep the moisture level on that side the same way it is now and that is dripping wet. Water is flowing over that cork bark at a good rate and I tried a few orchids there but not much luck

Any recommendations ??

Thanks in advance.

[MAli]

After years of holding back on adding Dart Frogs to one of my tanks I finally did it. They are not exactly Dart Frogs But I think they are soooo cool !! They are Melanophryniscus stelzneri or Bumbblebee Toads. I got a group of three and I hope they like their new home.

Here are a couple of crappy pics but it's all I got for now. These guys are always moving

[tucker85]

amazing! Excellent job.

[ronaldhanko]

That is awesome - very well done and very beautiful. And, another member from Edmonton - you guys could have your own society meeting ehre and on line.