|
Post by prmills on Apr 16, 2008 22:43:40 GMT -5
After reading and looking at everyone's terrarriums I wanted one of my own, go figure eh? Anyways, I found one through kijiji, showed it to my wife and she actually said yes!! (I'm pretty sure my brownie points are depleted and in debt now) So I went and picked it up tonight and to my horror I found out it was used as a salt water aquarium Here's pic one and here's pic two As I write, it's soaking in vinager... I'll keep this updated as I go, but it'll be a summer project as my plant fund is now also down, and it'll be a DIY project for the rest, but that's ok! Any helps or tips for getting salt off are welcome too. <added> I forgot, the tank is 55 gallons and came with the stand, light hood, water pump/filter and some other small stuffs.
|
|
|
Post by insectivore on Apr 16, 2008 22:47:35 GMT -5
Hey! For your Salt/Calcium buildups on the glass of your terrarium you can use Vinager and Warm Water. Scrub it with a brush and/or a razor blade! Works for me on my Crested Gecko Tanks! Cya P.S. Be sure to rinse well!
|
|
|
Post by Syble on Apr 17, 2008 9:34:07 GMT -5
What are you planning to put in it? As for cleaning it, try CLR But rinse excessively with hot water afterwards... I used CLR and one of those scotch brite sponges with the abrasive backing?worked very well for me! Sib
|
|
|
Post by prmills on Apr 17, 2008 13:09:31 GMT -5
Eventually it'll be for CP's and some other plants around the house. For now my wife is getting some butterfly eggs or catepillars for the kids for a science project and they'll go in there. I read on an aquarium site to soak these tanks in oxi-clean and hot water, so I'm trying that, if it doesn't work, I'll go with the green scrub brush, vinager and elbow grease On a side note, when it's up and running, I'll be keeping some water at the bottom permanetly... I saw somewhere on here, can't find it now, but someone posted pics of a pump and canister filter system they used for this idea. Any thoughts on filters to use, what would be harmful to CP's and what wouldn't?
|
|
|
Post by vraev on Apr 17, 2008 19:38:56 GMT -5
fantastic. I want something like that myself too. Great find. Can u tell me how much it cost ya??
|
|
|
Post by prmills on Apr 17, 2008 21:57:07 GMT -5
With the whole setup it was $150. I'm not good with prices on these things but when I saw other ones for upwards of $300-400 w/o the stand, I jumped for it!
Quick update: Tried almost every other house hold chemical at home here, nothing seems to be working. I used to be a janitor in my past career so don't worry about me mixing stuff, head I good works... So I bought some CLR, scouring pads and some other de-scaler that I'll try tomorrow. Also figured out most of the bad look is former sticky aquarium backing material (mental note for future, never to be used by me).
|
|
|
Post by lloyd on Apr 18, 2008 11:37:58 GMT -5
$150 is definitely a good deal.
|
|
|
Post by PingKing on Apr 18, 2008 13:49:30 GMT -5
you could put a false bottom where the water is not in contact with the soil. I use lava rock with perlite on top to seal all the bigger holes then i put the soil on top.
later
|
|
|
Post by vraev on Apr 20, 2008 22:00:58 GMT -5
wow! thats nice for 150$. I am in talks for a nice new revolutionary setup for myself this summer. Complete new grow setup for all my pitcher plants + a few vfts that will enjoy closer growspace near the lights in comparision with the tropical flora. THis time....aesthetics will also be a consideration.
|
|
|
Post by prmills on Apr 21, 2008 16:12:11 GMT -5
Well, all is done for what I can do. I think the salt deposits must have eched the glass or something cause the ones left will not come out with anything (CLR, lime away, descaler, razor, vinegar, elbow grease, etc...). And where the old background was is not budging either. Oh well, the one side looks pretty good and I'll go with it for now. All the extra's are cleaned up too so they look a little nicer. After I cleaned the power filter I kinda broke it... I guess I can tinker and see about removing the motor and using it for something... Here's a pic 1/2 way through: And here's one now: The fan in the pic was from a humidifier we had that I broke, I mean broke. It has the option for an auto shut off so I kept it for future mods Everything is temporary for now until my wives butterflies come, grow then get fed to my plants (don't tell her that last part). I'm thinking at first to just keep the plants in seperate pots, or making smaller bogs in rubbermaids to put in there. I havn't decieded yet. I do want to go with water in the bottom with a filter to raise humidity more, but that may change is I make mini bogs for in there... hmmm... Any suggestions?
|
|
|
Post by prmills on May 13, 2008 12:27:01 GMT -5
After a little while, my wife discided not to put the butterfly larva in there and I've done a few additions to the tank, not much though. Here's the pics as of today: Before I put the water in the bottom, I've got to figure out a filter type system... I've got the pump but thats all so far, looking at DIY, but I don't have time to do the research quite yet. I also just bought that s. "Judith Hindle" at a local garden centre, wife rolled her eyes at me when I begged to buy it.... The light is a 2 bulb (sunlight) T12 fixture, will be upgrading it to a 4xT8's later this spring, maybe a 6xT8's if I can squeeze them that close together (12 1/4" wide...) All's well though, I'll keep updating as time goes by.
|
|
|
Post by reptileguy5 on May 13, 2008 13:09:37 GMT -5
looking good ;D
|
|
|
Post by Sawchuk on May 13, 2008 18:59:08 GMT -5
lol looks good bud, i admire the clean look of a fishtank aquarium, and also the height of plants that can be put inside it
also i bought the exact same plant last weekend from khullmann's in edmonton when i went out there for my noFX concert, i have it growing in my window were it gets as much light as possible and routine misting, until my lastyears custom is up again iv been having problems with the glass material i was using
|
|
|
Post by prmills on May 28, 2008 16:01:16 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by dvg on May 28, 2008 16:09:45 GMT -5
Very nice setup. With the dry Alberta air, some of your plants are really thanking you. I think some of my sundews want to vacation in your tank...to get some relief from this arid prairie air. Good show! ;D
|
|