Bookcase terrarium project

[Ribbitmethis]

I've been doing a ton of research as I'm getting to the point were my terrarium project will begin! I am going to be building a terrarium to put into a bookcase that will be housing a Peacock Tree Frog.
The design idea is to have the terrarium built flush to the dimensions of the shelves with a small cupboard to the left of the terrarium to house the cords for the lighting and fan, put a mesh vent on the door for ventilation, and setup the terrarium fully with live plants.

Here's the Bookcase I'm building to fit.

I rewired a computer fan to a dc/ac transformer for air circulation and will put in fluorescent lighting for the plants (with how warm my house is, temp will not be an issue for the froggies. I have pieces of a small broken plant terrarium I'm planning on using for decor/hiding spots (want these to eventually fill over with moss a bit.


The plants I'm looking at are Pothos, African Violet, Java Moss, Irish Moss, Blushing Bride Airplant, and Button Fern. For climbing, I found a really neat trick on the forums to make "wood" out of PVC.

This is after dremeling and using a heat gun to begin bending the pvc.

This is after going at the wood with a blowtorch.

I'll post more as I work on the project

[Julia]

What a great idea! I look forward to seeing the complete project! Now you have me looking around my house at all the bookcases wondering if I can fit another terrarium somewhere!

[Ribbitmethis]

Almost done now! I have one more piece of wood to cut, for the cabinet door, but it was late by the time I got to that and my neighbors were asleep.

Here's the basic woodwork frame. The cabinet space to the right houses fan vents and terrarium care equipment.


Sealed with GE Silicone II in Black with a thin coat of Waterfall Foam Sealant on top


I found a working lamp next to the dumpster at my apartment, so I took the cords and re-made it into the light for my plants. I made the fan from an old computer fan frankensteined onto a transformer, but forgot to take pics.


(Almost) Finished Product!



A closer look (sorry for the shakiness, camera hates macro):
Pothos, Sheet Moss, and Irish Moss


More Pothos and Sheet Moss, with an African Violet


Pond, that same Pothos, and the "ruins" from the old terrarium

[John]

Very nice. I'm keen to see a big photo of how it turns out .

[Ribbitmethis]

I finished the tank!!!

Here's the finished build, without the light inside on so that all corners are visible (used camera flash to illuminate).


I finally stabilized the humidity by setting the fan on a timer to go off every 2 hours for 30 minutes. I will have to manually turn the lights on until I get another timer, but that should be fine. The humidity now ranges between 75* (peaking just slightly before fans go on) and 55* (about halfway into fan cycle).
I was going to go out to Twin Cities Reptiles and get my Leptopelis vermiculatus today, but they have sold out and they can't get their pairs to breed right now. I'll need to look into new options, but am hesitant to drive too far out of the cities currently to get a froggy as my car lacks air conditioning. I've been looking at online companies, but am a little fearful of trying that.
I'm tempted to stain or paint the front wood panels, but can't decide what color and if I should try to bring out the wood or hide it.

[mark one]

nice job and i think frogs will feel more secure in all wood tanks look forward to see pics when frogs in cheers

[wesleybrouwer]

Looking nice,
in my opinion just turn the wood in the same color as the rest of the bookcase.
Makes it a whole

Altough i must say i like keeping the wood texture more,
but in this case......
Just make it one

[Ribbitmethis]

Here's a shot of Mercutio I took today.




And here's the finished tank, after a new (escape-proof) door, painted wood front paneling, and new plants! (1 new saintpaulia, 1 new bromelaid)

[Jace]

Wow, that look really sharp. I bet that is the focal point of the room-as it should be!

[mark one]

hey looking realy good cheers