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Post by calorchis on Oct 26, 2008 1:11:46 GMT -5
Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've visited...hope everyone is doing well I'm looking for some inspiration for my terrarium that I've built...it's an 80 gallon tank, and I've had it more or less up and running for 5 months now, but I still feel there's a lot of improvement and work to be done...here are some issues I've run into: 1) Aquarium coverage and access - has anyone come up with a good way to cover up the top of the aquarium and still allow for easy access? I have a bank of T5 lights resting on two wood planks that in turn rest on the side of the tank....on top of the tank are two badly cut crappy pieces of acrylic that do a mediocre job of covering up the tank. 2) Fan mounting - I have some computer fans that kind of sit over gaps of the previously mentioned crap acrylic, and kind of blow air into the tank, but it looks terrible!! How do you mount your fans for internal air movement, as well as external air exchange? Thanks in advance, everyone
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Post by prmills on Oct 26, 2008 19:31:13 GMT -5
1) Unless you have three sides open all at once, I think that will always be a problem unless you want to bolt it to the cieling with a winch or something to move it up and down... If you do have three sides open, you could try using hindges and locking arms.
2) Good question. The fixture I have is open enough for some minor air flow going into and out of the tank. Does your tank need fans inside or could it do without?
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Post by calorchis on Nov 16, 2008 23:36:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply and sorry for the delay. I guess I've settled for just lifting everything off every time I need to work in the tank. I'm installing a few more misting nozzles (I have 2 right now) which should make me need to do less manual watering. As for fans, I'm starting to feel like if there is a gap on the top, air exchange inside should push some air out of the gap and allow for sufficient external air to come in.
I chucked the acrylic and glass, and got some windows that someone was throwing out, which fit exactly over the tank area, with a nice 2 inch gap in between. I'll snap some pictures and get some critique.
I did copy your idea of using a false bottom with water underneath - I wasn't sure what kind of pump to get though, so it's just kind of sitting there stagnant. I need to find a pump soon - someone suggested an external pump that vivarium owners use for their water features...my issue is budget right now - and also, I'm not too sure what size pump I need..ie since I only have 4 inches of water or so in the 80 gallon tank, I'm thinking a 10-15 gallon pump should be sufficient, but I'm not too sure. Any ideas?
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Post by prmills on Nov 17, 2008 16:07:20 GMT -5
All I have is a small pond pump with pond filters (to keep big chunks out). I got the pump for free (new maybe $70), but the filters cost $20 I think. I've even thought of putting in an air stone they use for fish tanks, or even letting my shagnum grow down there (trying that now in one of my trays to see how it'll work). I would say minimum of 15 gallons cause I have 10 gallons with the same depth in a 55 gallon tank. Check kijiji or craigslist for fish/pond supplies in your area and you might be able to get them real cheap. On a side note, since I've put mine together I've only topped off the water and have yet to clean it, smell isn't bad, but green clumps do abound, especially in the tube
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Post by Flytrap on Nov 18, 2008 15:54:02 GMT -5
I don't have fans in my terrariums... i've got drilled out holes at the lower portion, and vents at the top for natural airflow... works like a charm - no fogging, only the odd fruit fly escape now and then.
D
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