Planted background 15 gallon newt vivarium

[newtboyuk]

I haven't been particularly active on here of late and thus I thought now might be a good time to post some photos! This is a 2ft x 1ft x 1ft aquarium (or a 15gallon if you're that way inclined!). I was a bit unsure of my abilities in this department, so I decided to make the background removable just in case I made a complete mess of it!

Polystyrene, plant pots and a bit of wood

Expanding foam is fun!

Foam following carving/trimming with a knife. Now ready to apply aquarium safe silicone and coco fibre.

In place. Not shown is the lid which is a home-made wood and mesh affair.

View from the back showing pump compartment. If I was doing this again I'd want access to the pump from above - currently to get at it, the background must be moved.

About two months after planting. I kept the bottom bare for ease of cleaning and feeding livefoods.

Full tank view today.

Stand and lid

One of the inhabitants. After the tank was redesigned, eggs appeared - alas, they were all duds!

That turned into quite a long post - apologies!
Mark

 

[SpaceCadetHayde]

Fantastic looking vivarium, Mark! I've been planning on doing something like this for mine when they get a little older.

 

[troutnerd]

Mark:

First off,great to see you back here. You still have shanjing?

About 4 years ago I did a big Great Stuff background in a 30 gallon tank that has kweichowensis. It turned out ok - not great- but the one thing I really should have done was put in planter pots like you did.I left some "caves" but they are impossible to water and really awkward to keep plants in.I think I'd like a second stab at it someday but the tank is otherwise really good. So it stays as it is for now.

Anyway, yours tank looks awesome.If those are C.Orientalis, i doubt you'll have duds for long.My CO tank is like the grotto there is so much newt sex going on.

GE

 

[newtboyuk]

Thanks everybody!

GE: Yep - still have shanjing! I was wondering if some of my planters were too small - particularly the one the ivy is in! However it has doubled in size - it seems to be getting all its nutrients from roots it's put out into the water.

 

[skyler]

Thats a beautiful tank. Your newts will be very happy in their new home.

 

[suztor]

How is the Spider plant doing? I'm in the middle of a big build and am planning ahead and deciding which plants I'm going to use.

Over the water: Spider plant, Philodendron, and Wandering Jew are what I'm looking at. the wandering Jew is bright purple and likes to be root bound so the small pots I have are going to work out great for that plant! I'm curious about my other choices.

Any other suggestions?

I'm planning on having at least 2 potted underwater plants as well. Are there any suggestions for those?

I have a blog on tumblr with my progress on the build. Blog is called 'Salamander Stuff'

 

[newtboyuk]

Thanks Sklyer!

Suztor: The spider plants are doing very well and have rooted into the pots. They were half that size when I put them in. I find them to be very useful plants. I keep a large "mother" plant in the room from which cuttings can be harvested and used in tanks!

I also do the same with Wandering Jew (Tradescantia). It does very, very well in tanks like that and I'm using it in all of my others - I just didn't have space in that one. It doesn't need to be in a pot and will grow very well from the water. It does have a tendency to lose its purple colour without proper light (see poor excuse for newt photo below!) - however that doesn't seem to stop it growing like wildfire!

All of the plants you've mentioned should be virtually indestructible! I've experimented with lots of others with mixed success. Both the ivy and the fern in this tank seem to be doing very well. Its not clear in the photos but there is Java moss both on the background and growing in the water. The newts ended up laying eggs on all of the plants including the ivy!


Mark

 

[suztor]

Very cool! I didn't know the wandering jew could go so green! I'm really glad with my plant chiices now!

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[Davo]

That is a great looking viv, i must have a go myself, i love to see nice planted vivs.
Nice to meet you at the frog day, it was good to meet fellow newt fans, cant wait for the next one!

Cheers, Martin.

 

[newtboyuk]

Thanks Martin! You should give it a go - was good fun and not very expensive! Was good meeting you too - also looking forward to the next one!

Mark

 

[bichogrilo]

Hi I am just in the process of getting my new aquarium ready for my firebellies and you have inspired me, i am soooo copying hope you dont mind. could you give me a few hints. Is the coco fibre glued on with the silicone? Are there any problems with expanding foam leaching chemicals?

 

[newtboyuk]

Once cured the expanding foam is inert and should not leach anything into the water. You should look for the stuff that does not have fire retardant chemicals in it however.

The cocofibre is pressed into the silicone while it is still wet - best to use generous amounts and blow/shake off the excess afterwards. The cocofibre needs to be bone dry before you use it.

Mark

 

[evut]

Beautiful tank!
Can I ask which exact expanding foam you used (brand and name) and is the cocofibre the stuff that comes in bricks? Do you just crumble it without making it wet? And how do you apply the silicone and how well does it need to cover the foam or other parts?
And last question, does the pump send the water upwards with the tube seen in the photos?

Sorry for asking so many questions but your post really made me want to try to make something similar in a new tank I'm about to set up :happy:

 

[bichogrilo]

awesome thanks for your help.am working my way through the making and breaking and remaking stage before the coco fibre at the moment, waiting for the coco to dry out ready for use.

 

[newtboyuk]

Hi Eva,

I used B&Q's own brand stuff - the version without the fire retardants. The cocofibre does come in bricks - you need to expand them in water first then dry them out. Once all the excess water has been wrung out you can spread it onto trays and leave it to dry. If you're in a bit of a hurry you can *very carefully* dry it in the oven - must again emphasise *very carefully!* (would be an awkward conversation to have with the fire brigade!) Either way it needs to be bone dry.

The silicone is best applied on nice and thick - definitely better erring on the side of using a bit more.

The pump does send the water up. If I was doing it again I'd probably use a stronger pump so I could have more than one drip area and make it accessible through the top. The disadvantage with the current setup is that the background would need to be removed if the pump needed maintenance.

Bichogrilo - you're welcome!

 

[evut]

Thanks, Mark! I have since found out there is also a loose version of coconut coir (Eco Earth). I am waiting for it to arrive. I am going to start carving my background today and will definitely post photos as well. Thank you for the inspiration!

 

[evut]

Mark, another question: how is the airline attached to the pump, please?
I am planning to use a Fluval Mini filter for the same purpose - will this work...?

 

[eldaldo]

That is a beautiful tank! Has it grown in well?