As the subject states, I'm a total newb with Vivariums. I built a huge Iguna cage years ago, but that was strictly utilitarian. No effort was made toward aesthetics.

I have an 18X18X24 Exo-Terra. I haven't decided exactly what I want in it yet but I am leaning towards Tincts.

My plan is to use Leca and a coco fiber substrate recipe for the bottom, and a do-it-yourself GS background with some cork bark in it. I haven't totally decided on a water feature yet so I siliconed a 21" piece of 1-1/4" PVC to the left corner. I'll use it for the electrical cord if I decide to go with a pump. I also drilled a hole 2" from the bottom for a drainage bulkhead.

In my first picture below, I have spread black silicone on the back wall and fixed the PVC tube in one corner. I then siliconed my cork bark where I wanted it positioned. I plan on extending the silicone onto the sides of the tank in a pattern that lets me build out some ledges for plants. I'll do that after the silicone on the back panel dries.



I then started thinking that I shouldn't have fixed the bark yet since by the time I finish applying the GS, I may end up burying it. I also realized that I may have used too much bark as I was planning on building some small pot holders into the background. ...So I pulled it off and extended the silicone down a couple more inches.





MaxGen...

Arrange the bark and pots along the background where you want them before doing your GS. The gs expands to about an inch. If you want more depth from it allow the first layer to dry and then do the next to make it a little bigger. just adding more when it is wet does not work. If you put some behind your bark and stick the bark to it it should hold in.

I made a little more progress.

I broke up a piece of slate and siliconed it together to make a waterfall. I filed the edges to make sure there wasn't anything sharp in there. I then siliconed my bark, driftwood and waterfall to the back.



I then applied a layer of GS.



Then I added a cocofiber pot and applied more GS.



I'm going to let this dry, then see what I need to fix by either carving or adding. The sides still need GS added and another pot. I might put a pot above the driftwood too for a brom.

MaxGen...

It looks like it is starting to take shape. Keep up the good work.

I like the way it's looking too.

A brom would do nice just pinned above that piece of Mopani on the right. Just so the base is touching. It will grab onto that wood real nice and soften the corner of the viv.

I'm ready to start applying the coco fibre. Couple questions after the picture:



I just finished expanding my coco fibre brick, do I need to let it dry out before applying it to the GS?

I think someone mentioned heating up the silicone to make it easier to apply to the GS? Is that correct, does that work?

Thanks...

I don't know about heating the silicone, but I would recommend drying out the coco.

Just did a background myself and had to go over a few areas more than once. My coco came in a bag and was only slightly damp but I think it would have stuck better if it had been totally dry. A brick expanded in water might be a lot wetter than mine was too.

Looking good.

Heating up the silicone does make it easier to work with, just lay it on the floor for over a hot air return for 10 mins.
Your coco coir should be fully dried out before you use it or it won`t stick to the silicone and it just ends up making a mess.

Cheers...Ed

Finished the background.

I bought a whole load of plants at the show on Sunday too. Plus my new MistKing mister arrived a week ago.

Next is substrate and the pump placement.

Looking good.

Where is your water coming out? You have to watch out with water hitting that background as the entire back will get wet.

It's hard to see, but there is an opening just above the top of the rock formation where the tube goes. The water will trickle down on the rocks only.

That's the plan at least. If it fails to function as planned, I'll just shut down the waterfall. This build is really just a learning experience. I've already started planning my next viv

Well, first major setback. I got the pump all setup tonight and put water in the exo-terra to test it out. Sadly the exo-terra I bought used on Canada Reptiles is leaking...

How do I repair this? I assume I have to scrape off all the existing silicon and apply a new bead of aquarium silicone?

I would definatley cut away the old caulking first, Most caulking does not adhere too well to old caulking.
GEII silicone is way cheaper then the aquarium grade, I use this when i re-seal all used tanks.

Ed

Cool, thanks Ed. I actually have 1 tube of black GEII left over.