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Post by vraev on Mar 8, 2012 17:19:03 GMT -5
Hi guys, its been a while since I posted anything...well..anywhere. Update-wise, ALL of the frozen plants haven't recovered. But I can't get myself to throw them out. So, the pots are still sitting in the tank. I have been slowly loosing interest in neps after this huge loss, but trying to hang on: I realize this hobby shows results a heck of a lot slower than anything else. (except cacti-growing ). Anyways... recently I have been getting fascinated by dart frogs. I went to my first reptile expo in etobicoke 2wk ago and loved the beautiful frogs. I held myself from buying my first frogs and came back with fruit flies instead. I am trying to culture them and have decided to take the plunge into designing my first vivarium. I bought this used exoterra 18x18x24 for a decent price and am excited to design my first landscape. I plan to use a false bottom, a foam/driftwood based background, a water feature, embedded ventilation, and a mossy floor in anticipation of some lovely mantellas. Currently, for the next month, I am crazy busy, so this will serve as a holding tank for my orchids/neps. But, I got the drill bits for the glass, I got dry oak leaves (lol) for the tank and prospective plans on making my first vivarium. I'll keep this thread updated when I make any progress. cheers, V
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Post by 31drew31 on Mar 8, 2012 20:31:18 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the plants vraev, but you're picking up another fun hobby. The members of www.canadart.org would love to see the build too
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Post by vraev on Mar 8, 2012 20:34:21 GMT -5
For sure..I found some great ideas at dendroboard and have been chatting with a few people there. Very very interesting ideas that can be adapted even in our CP hobby.
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Post by peatmoss on Mar 8, 2012 20:43:40 GMT -5
I have always loved the idea of keeping poison darts, some of the displays I see at reptile expos are just awesome. I am sure that if you apply the skill that you use to grow your plants it will be an incredible setup!
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Post by vraev on Mar 8, 2012 22:34:27 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I hope it turns out as I have imagined it to be. Btw...anyone here keeps mantellas? How are they?
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Post by ellsie on Mar 9, 2012 9:47:06 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about your plant loss Vraev; I am going though something similar (it's just too dry here in Halifax!!), but with your CP skills, I'm sure your first vivarium will be awesome!! I also haven't forgotten that I still need to send you some flies (just waiting until the weather gets warmer!!)
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Post by hal on Mar 9, 2012 22:13:17 GMT -5
I kept a few species of mantellas about 25 years ago. They are shy little frogs but quite hardy and they'll take on a cricket half their size. One word of advice on frog vivariums - make it simple enough that you can dismantle it and put it back together fairly easily. You'll probably end up adjusting it quite a few times. The frogs will love to hide in the most unlikely places - like behind that cork bark back wall you carefully constructed, or they'll get under the egg crate you're using to elevate the substrate off the water reservoir...
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Post by vraev on Mar 10, 2012 14:14:21 GMT -5
Hi Ellsie, Been a long time since I saw you here. How are you doing? Hows everything in entomology? What have u been up to? Yeah..lol...don't worry about it. I got myself the two species of fruit flies...ordered some culture containers. I need to go pick out the ingredients for media as the culture is just reached its peak capacity. People say you shouldn't use those for making fresh cultures...but I have no option. anyways...sorry to hear about ur losses as well. Yeah...its hard to deal with loosing something which u have spent years to safeguard and care. Hey Hal...thanks for the info. Its good to know. I was planning on siliconing pieces of wood...cork, ghost wood etc. I will put weed blocker on the egg crate to mask it and then put media on top of that...and try growing moss first before getting any frogs. here is the plan i am thinking of: the problem is the actual acquiring of all the required wood pieces.
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Post by ellsie on Mar 10, 2012 14:21:49 GMT -5
Really? I always use flies from my established cultures to inoculate new ones!! Just be careful how old your established fly cultures get.....you don't want to introduce mites into your new cultures, or worse yet, into your vivarium!!
How about Hawaiian Botanicals? I see that on their website they have a variety of wood types, but I think these are mostly used for orchids and airplants, so I'm not sure if these can also be used for vivariums?? Just a thought though....
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Post by vraev on Mar 10, 2012 14:31:10 GMT -5
I just can't tell...how do those mites look? I mean I read that you will know if your cultures have mites... low production... but can u see them? I also heard the mites are fly specific and don't bother frogs or plants.
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Post by 31drew31 on Mar 10, 2012 14:53:59 GMT -5
If the cultures feel dusty, you have mites. Throwing cultures out at the 4 week mark is a good way of keeping mites at bay.
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Post by dvg on Mar 10, 2012 15:08:18 GMT -5
Yeah, mites in fruit fly cultures is something that can be addressed if it occurs.
I've seen them in previous cultures before and they were very small creamy-white in color.
The mites were just on the surface of the media, and moving along the sides of the culture container.
I've even taken cultures with mites in them and separated out a few fruit fly larva to start over fresh again.
Since i've been using the Repashy Superfly media, my cultures last 2 months no problem, but because i inoculate my new cultures with the first emergent flies from the previous culture, it isn't a concern if mites might happen to get into an older culture.
dvg
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Post by vraev on Mar 10, 2012 21:47:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I will be using some home made media. I was considering buy the rep ashy media...but figured I might try the home made media first.
btw...Does anyone have a pic of mites? I mean there are some flaky...almost like very very small larvae style things...don't move as far as I know along the sides of the container and on the excelsior. I'll post up a pic soon.
Update wise..just bought coffee filters, instant yeast, vinegar. Still need to go to bulk barn, get instant yeast and instant potato flakes. will try my first culture tomorrow. ;p
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Post by 31drew31 on Mar 11, 2012 1:17:34 GMT -5
You'll need instant yeast and brewers yeast. (I think you know this and just mis-typed)
Your design looks sweet too!
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Post by vraev on Mar 11, 2012 5:28:50 GMT -5
yup...thats what I meant. lol! brewers yeast. I should be able to get some at bulk barn right? I'm hoping. Here are some phone pics of cultures ...too lazy to open the DSLR. and last....pic of tank. Cleaned and ready for work. I might have to cut up that beautiful piece of driftwood.
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