WIP 5 gal desk viv Urban Decay

[Paul]

Originally Posted by penguinfarmer

As of now, I have creeping fig for the background
selaginella unicrata to appear as a "bush"
various mosses and tillandsias

Sel. unicrata? I've never heard of that one. Google even let me down. Do you have a pic of that one?

Do keep in mind that if you are planning on utilizing local wild mosses, they very well may not make it. Many of the temperate mosses need a cold dormancy cycle. Mosses used for dartfrog terrs should be good though and you can give Java moss a go. (I've never used that one but have heard many using it successfully.)

Not so much for this tank but perhaps for you larger one -- a mini trailing AV might be nifty.

Originally Posted by penguinfarmer

left plenty of room for orchids as I search for the right ones.

Encyclia (Dinema) polybulbon would be a climber I'd suggest right off the top. If you like that idea but don't have that one, you can contact me and we'll dicker.... . Intermediate Pleuros, Lepanthes, and Restreps would seem to be possibilities. Your color palette options would likely be rather restricted, though.

Originally Posted by penguinfarmer

I'm debating whether I would like an aquatic in the foreground. Something thin to simulate reeds?

Hmmm, that would be difficult, I suspect. You might see if there are any of the aquatic Utricularias (bladderworts) that send up leaves above the waterline. Most require very high light if memory serves, which could be an issue

Though it is not "reedy", how about duckweed (Lemnaceae)?

Originally Posted by penguinfarmer

Paul, I'm open to all criticisms. I know exactly what you mean on the sign. I carved the edge to simulate that chipped effect where you see the metal under layer you see in real signs. I can do a tad more chips around and in between letters, but for the most part I want to preserve the integrity of the letters for sentimental reasons. I want to see Ft. Hamilton when I work.

Oh I don't fault you for wanting the sign to still be legible. But taking some chips out of the letters and even removing a piece of a letter here and there would not interfere with that. Some judicious defacement will add considerable character, however.

I'd heartily recommend some dents or even holes from "bullets" added to the sign and even the wall itself. A blunt nail or a Phillips screwdriver tapped with a hammer should do nicely.

Originally Posted by penguinfarmer

For the graffiti, I do want to add another piece as well. A fuller piece [what we call throwups in the graffiti world, yes I was a vandal]. Where do you think it would be best? I'm leaning toward the right side since the left hole in the wall will be the featured orchid. Also, the color of the piece should coincide with the orchid bloom itself.

While I can understand your desire to match the graffiti color to the orchid(s), I don't think you should worry about that. It limits your options with regard to what flowering plants you can try. Afterall, there's no guarantee that the plant(s) you most desire will be the one(s) that actually thrive. (Orchids do like to "thumb their columns" at us from time to time.) With this in mind, you might do well to use something like white which will stand out on the wall and go with any other colors present.

Originally Posted by penguinfarmer

I have a small scale rubber tire I either want to use as a planter or stick in the water.

Depending upon the actual size of the tire, you might be able to use several ... assuming you can find more of them. I would be hesitant on using one as a planter -- it could very easily come out looking very contrived or kitschy. If possible, how about half in and half out of the water?

Originally Posted by penguinfarmer

More rocks and "sticks" from broken tree fern.
-Cut up Metrocards that look like all the cards ppl drop
-Caution tape and paper litter
-Last but not least, I'm looking for a scale rifle. One that sorta tells a story of how the apocalypse has come about whether it be zombie takeover of anarchist war

For sticks, you could also simply gather twigs from outside.

For your rifle, your best bet would likely be any store that caters to hobbyists who make doll houses and miniature towns/cities. Depending on the proportional size needed, you might also check dollar stores and second hand stores for toy soldiers.

How about a small patch here or there littered with broken glass as from a bottle? (You might even be able to find a miniature wine or booze bottle at the aforementioned hobbyist stores.)

How about the ubiquitous rusty, beat up shopping cart?

How long after the apocalypse is this scene occurring? Do humans still exist?
If this scene is not too many years after humanity's extinction, or if there are still some humans around, consider adding a scorched patch on the ground as from a trash fire.

Originally Posted by penguinfarmer

EDIT.. one more suggestion my friends have given me. RATS. big NYC man-eating rats. I gotta sculpt several of these.

Don't forget the COCKROACHES! If anything survives an apocalypse, they will definitely be there.

Depending on the cause of the catastrophe and the number of years which have passed, you could also consider creating some futuristic animals. There have always been some speculating what path evolution might take if humans become extinct.

[Wjs2nd]

Looks awesome! I love the idea! I agree with many of paul's suggestion and would check out a hobby store.

I have a suggestion of my own. How about trying to make your water area look like flooded section of rail track. Extended your tile down and create a stone floor with track on it. Maybe even a skeleton or two somewhere. Keep up the great work!

[fishmommy]

Encyclia polybulbon is a good suggestion - I have that one and the scale of it is perfect. It needs a little bit extra light however.

Most reedy aquatics need very high light to do well - things like hairgrass, etc. Stuff like dwarf papyrus and other pond plants are too big for that tank unfortunately.

As a different type of look, you could duckweed the water part to give it a 'scummy' look and sink some trash in the bottom.

[penguinfarmer]

All mosses are tropicals that I have growing currently in dart tanks. Just need to plan which one to use which depends on the scale of it and where I place it. It would be nice to possibly have some moss growing off the subway column and water pipe.

Also, it's connected to the glass top and not pictured, but there will be a network of that thin silver pipe suspended from the top. I poked a few holes in them and ran electroluminescent wire which will flicker, simulating sparks in electric wires. I may create a dangling broken light fixture that flickers. on the other side away from the broken water pipe.

I do have a scale I-beam that will be used as a track. It will be bent and will protrude from the bottom to look like a broken train track. I just airbrushed it with Alclad II which is extremely toxic so I also triple coated it with two different clears to make sure it will be fine when submerged in water along with any possible plant life. Also, will poor in some sand on the bottom that will look more like dirty sediment. Just waiting to plant before I detail the water portion first.

There is a thin slit of strong light that penetrates the water area right by the glass. Right now, there is only a single CF spotlight. I will see if the Coralife T5s will get better light to determine the aquatic portion.

I like the shopping cart idea. I'm a fan of the rust texture. I was also thinking of the wooden subway benches carved with graffiti. This would be easily built with wood, which would be nice to see how the wood breaks down naturally over time with moisture. I also have those old steel barrels scaled with scorch marks like it was used for warmth and fire.

I actually have a skull that I want to use from a ghostrider figure. I was thinking of finding a small soldier's helmet on it though to show there was a battle or something.

I'm actually very enthused to see the reaction and suggestions. I left the story a bit ambiguous so you could all have some fun. Keep critiques coming. I'm all over this thing as much as you guys, I think my main dilemma will be editing everything I have.

Happy Halloween all

[Daethen]

I am amazed at the detail you are putting into this. It is going to be a living work of art. Kudos to you!!!

[Paul]

From what i've heard and read, Java moss should be able to grow on the pipe and column. As it will also grow in the water, one possible issue -- assuming enough light -- might be if it grows too vigorously in the water. Wouldn't do to have it obscuring the underwater decor.

If you do need more "bones", this may be the perfect time to get some -- many of the BBSs and craft stores will be having their Halloween stuff on sale now.

Oh, and since you are planning on "human bones" and "fitfully working electrical systems", the implication is that humans -- if gone -- have not been gone long. In which case, the remains of cans from "canned food" might be a good addition as well as torn/worn clothing and/or blankets. (Mini food tins and clothing, again, should be obtainable from hobby stores.) A skeleton (whether whole or partial) could even be dressed or partially covered up with same.

Feral dogs and cats might also be present.

Had never heard of electroluminescent wire before -- excepting the wire filaments in lightbulbs -- how cool!

[tylerumn]

Bravo, you are a creative genius! Here I am starring at my 5-gal "terrarium" with moss and a piece of drift wood...fail.

[penguinfarmer]

Ok short update with some test plantings

sorry missing my camera memory card around here so bare with cellphone pictures



Got one creeping fig branch in there. Had two but it was WAY overkill. Still finagling it around the wall so what you see will not be it's set position. Its base almost looks like a wisteria in this scale.

Seliginella will go in the center part as soon as that arrives. Still one more small terrestrial gap. May just fill that with moss.

I applied my moss milkshakes already. I forgot the name of it, but I needed a very short growing moss, almost like a blanket or carpet so I couldn't use live sphagnum or java though I may wrap the pipe in java or hang it off the wall.

That small tillandsia is just a place holder for an orchid. Light still hasn't come in but start thinking of high light lovers.

Notice the bubbles created in the water. I kinda like it, almost like sewage. With the rest of the lights turned off, it sorta looks like fog without a fogger. This also kills any light that enters so I'm abandoning the aquatic idea. I did crumple up some indian almond leaves and threw them in the water to make a "tea" which makes the water a nice dingy brown color.

One last thing, at first this was going to be a raised platform subway station, but now I'm thinking of it as a subterranean station with a cave in. So, I will create a nice shaded portion on the right side of the tank with a few holes to looks like there is some street above the station but still allowing thing beams of light.

[Kali Hibiscus]

This is awesome ! I can't wait to see orchids blooming in this

[margitks]

Awesome job Penguinfarmer! Love this project.
Any new pictures?