Vertical Conversion of “Zilla Critter Keeper” for tree frogs

[flybyferns]

This will house “Boggie Smalls” a 2 ½ year old female Agalychnis moreletii.
When turned vertically , the dimensions will be 36 “ high X 18” wide X 17” deep
Started with this:
Zilla Critter Cages 40g Terrarium 36X18X17



Note: this enclosure is designed to be used horizontally. The lid slides on - over a track type rim. Therefore, a commonly used conversion front cannot be used because of the way he rim is designed.

A hole has been drilled in what will now be the top

Pics drill hole

I have created ( made by the glass guy) a little cover with a slot to pass the cords, mist tubing and temp/humidity probe through.


I will be diverting the mist king tubing and mist with a double mist head. The ceiling of the tank has been created to suspend lots of pothos ( for climbing/ sleeping) and to hang the mist king head.

Two pieces of glass are attached to the front using silicone on the inside of the screen- leaving an area for ventilation about 4 ½ “ below the top.

The top piece of glass is about 4 ½ inches wide – to keep the mist spray in.
Then the bottom piece of glass covers about 20” of the bottom of the screen.
The edges of the glass have been sanded smooth to prevent injuries to “Boggie’s " very delicate girly skin.
I have removed the ( factory) closure from the lid. I don’t like how it closes. Too noisy ! As a result this leaves a little ¼ opening on the right side. I am making a new closure from plastic trim and painting it black.



Bottom left. The lid does not close tightly enough against the rim ---setting up a perfect place for the crickets to escape ! Solution: a 3” high piece of plexi to keep them IN the feeding area.





It will have a “froggy spa” like my other enclosure- which is a heated , filtered, cover area of water for froggy soaking.




Can’t teach old frogs new tricks! She has been soaking this way since I have had her!
Like my other enclosure the water will be covered with a piece of plexi. The water pools over the top creating a shallow – clean- area for soaking. The water is heated ( 76 degrees F) w/ a small aquarium heater and filtered with a small aquarium filter.



The feeding area will be in the front/bottom of the enclosure.

I have decided to silicone my planters to the sides of the glass. So far so good. I think they will be easy to clean around.



Plants are almost ready/need more planters!



I hope all the pics are in the right order !!!!

Updates coming soon !

[NetworkLabs]

Looks pretty cool!

[flybyferns]

Looks pretty cool!

Thanks!
I have a, very , long way to go.

[NetworkLabs]

Same here, expect I'm building from scratch. This means building the actual tank.

[flybyferns]

Keeper of this vertical conversion.
Eventually !

[Hydroshake]

that sure is one spoiled frog.
what kind of filter are you using for the froggy spa?

[velvety14u]

looking great!!! cant wait to see it finished....

[flybyferns]

that sure is one spoiled frog.
what kind of filter are you using for the froggy spa?

A little 10/15 Fluval. It's overkill, I know.
But it's a sponge filter, so I would rather it be overkill than not enough- since they pee in the water everyday!

[flybyferns]

looking great!!! cant wait to see it finished....

I decided against the Amazons .
Some other time ?

I plan to find her some company when it is warm enough to ship frogs.
Actually, I probably could have had frogs shipped this week - it's 63 degrees F here on Long Island.
Who would have known!

I'm no hurry though!
Thanks for looking
Lynn

[S13]

NICE! this is exactly what I needed to know in order to do my vertical conversion. I have the same type of screen lid this one has, mine is a 20 gallon though. Its more than likely the same brand, I dont know where to find that info out though. Anyway, I might do mine a little different though leaving a little bit of screen at the "top" for ventilation and the rest plexiglass. Thanks Lynn!

[frogluver]

It looks great so far Lynn! Nice work ! Makes me want to go and start working on mine right now lol

[flybyferns]

NICE! this is exactly what I needed to know in order to do my vertical conversion. I have the same type of screen lid this one has, mine is a 20 gallon though. Its more than likely the same brand, I dont know where to find that info out though. Anyway, I might do mine a little different though leaving a little bit of screen at the "top" for ventilation and the rest plexiglass. Thanks Lynn!

Omar,
The reason I dropped the ventilation area about 4 1/2" is because the mist head is very close to the top. I don't want some of the spray coning out of the screen ! I am planning to point the mist towards the sides. I goes pretty far. The open vent area is 17" x 8 ish" . I'm actually a little concerned it is too large an area? BUT, the top is glass, I don't want any fried frogs.

[S13]

I see. That is awesome. Maybe I should incorporate a misting system in this one. I want to take my time and build a bad *** viv, done right. Possibly want a White's next. I'll definitely be doing my homework on here before executing anything. Thanks again for this awesome write up.

[Mentat]

Good luck with your project and congrats on your nice frog!

[flybyferns]

Good luck with your project and congrats on your nice frog!

Hi Carlos,
Thanks for checking it out !

Actually, I have had this A. moreletii since she has been a little tiny tot ! ( Aug 2009)

It is time for her to have he own nice space.
I will be purchasing her some 'company' ( of her own kind) in the near future!

Lynn

[S13]

BTW, the name Boggie Smalls. How did that come about? I'm sure its got to with something with Notorious B.I.G. aka "Biggy Smalls"? Either way, I absolutely love it.

[flybyferns]

BTW, the name Boggie Smalls. How did that come about? I'm sure its got to with something with Notorious B.I.G. aka "Biggy Smalls"? Either way, I absolutely love it.

Ha!
Yes it did! Honestly, it was off the heels of a very funny conversation ( at the time)when we
( myself, my husband and my son) named her?
No one has really ever noticed it before ! wink
The funniest thing is, this frog turned out to be a female. Go figure !

[S13]

LOL. thats funny. Cute name either way, I'm sure the "boggie" switch up doesn't make it so much of a gender specific name.

[flybyferns]

I'm so jealous
This is a must watch ! Plus the music is great !
Since I have watched this --I have purchased glass paint. Just imagine what you could do?
I'm practicing !!!!! We'll see

The Fishtank - YouTube

Lynn

[frogluver]

I'm so jealous
This is a must watch ! Plus the music is great !
Since I have watched this --I have purchased glass paint. Just imagine what you could do?
I'm practicing !!!!! We'll see

The Fishtank - YouTube

Lynn

This is going to be great! I can't wait to see the outcome ! Thanks for sharing the video Lynn! What type of trees are you planning on painting?