5gal Terrarium Journal (56k warning)

GulfCoastAquarian · 12-09-2003, 02:03 AM

Well the DIY Acrylic tank I put together has become a terrarium. The nice thing about plastic plants is that you get instant results! Filter is a Whisper Micro Internal Filter. Heater is a 7.5w non-thermostatic heater by MarkeTech. Light is a small 10" T5 bulb from Penn Plax.
There are just a few guppies and fry in there now, but this is going to be the home of the Fire Belly Toad (Bombina orientalis) I purchased (rescued) from Wal-Mart last week.

BTW, yes, that's baby tears on the watefall (trying to accomplish same effect as the filter on my 15g, hehe)

badmatt · 12-10-2003, 02:31 AM

what kind of frong is that

fishyboy · 12-10-2003, 03:22 AM

he siad fire belly toad

GulfCoastAquarian · 12-10-2003, 02:10 PM

Yep, Fire-Bellied Toad. Bombina orientalis.
They're supposed to be a good amphibian for beginners, and since I've never kept an amphibian or reptile, I thought this would be a good way to get started before going full-fledged into a dart frog habitat.

Zurp · 12-27-2003, 02:34 PM

He looks like my pet...
Spot... and
Spotless... and
Neon... and
Olive...

My four fire-belly toads!

My frog exactly like that never changes...
But, Spot and Spotless, which have smaller spotting patterns, change from light olive colored green to a dark evergreen color. Depending what their mood, and location in the tank. (When they mellow out on the tree roots, they get dark... When they mellow out in the plant filled pond, they turn bright green.

jart · 12-27-2003, 03:39 PM

look at that little fella's eyes. looks like he's up to no good... :twisted:

^iMp^ · 12-27-2003, 07:03 PM

I heard that they are fairly loud in the evening--is this true?

Zurp · 12-28-2003, 02:41 AM

Mine are quiet, for now. I have one that tries to rape every frog in the tank... He makes a lot of noise. I can't imagine what kind of energy these guys will have when spring rolls around!

Just as a precaution, I am building a sound-proof "Time-Out" beta tank!

Ace · 12-28-2003, 06:54 AM

Hey Coast will you consider snakes/iguana if you want reptiles?

GulfCoastAquarian · 01-09-2004, 02:32 PM

Yeah, his eyes do look like he's up to no good, huh? haha, he was probably stalking a mealworm. So far this single guy hasn't made a peep. I'm planning on getting another 1-2 of the same so maybe they'll start chirping then. I'm not worried since the tank is upstairs, away from our bedroom.
Ace, I've always wanted to try Iquanas (not snakes, though!) but have no experience so I think I'll get used to handling crickets a little better before trying one. So far I keep dropping crickets and leaving them in the bag too long and suffocating them!

Anyway, here's an updated pic. I've got an Anubias in there now along with some moss off to the right. I'm trying to keep the whole thing low-light to keep it from turning into an algae factory but I might add a second T5 bulb soon.

hypsophrys · 01-09-2004, 07:50 PM

That's a lot of red. Is the reddish tint on the rocks coming from the background, or is there a red light source?

I love the use of the Whisper as a waterfall, btw - extremely efficient use of space.

jart · 01-09-2004, 10:38 PM

amazing amount of depth for a 5 gallon.

i assume the heater's there for the frog? or the anubias? the reason why i'm asking is, wondering if you could scrap the heater and go with wcmm's.

there are probably lots of terrestial plants you could maybe throw in there to act as nutrient sponges??? or would you need more light?

GulfCoastAquarian · 01-12-2004, 02:50 PM

The light I'm using is a F8T5 fluorescent with a definite pink tinge. I'm not sure I like it so I'm working on a 19w 6500K CF bulb setup to replace it. Part of the red glow also comes from the cherry wood cabinite it is sitting in.
The other nice thing about the Whisper is that I don't need to dismantle the rock waterfall to change the filter cartridge! I can just pull it straight out of the top and leave everything undistrubed.
Jart, I did have a small non-thermostatic 7.5w heater in there for the frog but water temps got up to 85F so I unplugged it and they're staying around 78-80F now. I think the Whisper powerhead is providing enough heat for what little water is in the tank (maybe a gallon or two?).
As soon as I get more light over it - I am definitely going to throw in some more terrestial plants to act as nutrient sponges. I want some kind of fern, but most of them grow pretty big. I've got plenty of Anubias, I might throw another one on the right side.

GulfCoastAquarian · 01-15-2004, 07:12 PM

Here's an updated pic with the 19w 6500K CF light. I also pulled out the silk plant on the right and replaced it with an emersed Anubias Coffefolia.

Wasserpest · 01-15-2004, 07:20 PM

Really nice. I am inspired.

How do you cover this tank? Is there some air exchange? How do you avoid evaporation on the glass? Are you worried about moisture in the cabinet?

Have you considered some background, black, blue, green, whatever, other than the cabinet?

Can you post another shot of the entire setup with the new lighting?

12-10-2003, 02:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
badmatt Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: winnipeg, manitoba, canada Posts: 191	what kind of frong is that __________________ Eheim Pimp Club Member #47 75 gallon under-HEAVY-construction discus water is like a fine wine aged to perfection.

12-10-2003, 02:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
GulfCoastAquarian ///M (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,555	Yep, Fire-Bellied Toad. Bombina orientalis. They're supposed to be a good amphibian for beginners, and since I've never kept an amphibian or reptile, I thought this would be a good way to get started before going full-fledged into a dart frog habitat. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

12-27-2003, 02:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Zurp Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Enfield, Connecticut Posts: 292	He looks like my pet... Spot... and Spotless... and Neon... and Olive... My four fire-belly toads! My frog exactly like that never changes... But, Spot and Spotless, which have smaller spotting patterns, change from light olive colored green to a dark evergreen color. Depending what their mood, and location in the tank. (When they mellow out on the tree roots, they get dark... When they mellow out in the plant filled pond, they turn bright green. __________________ 20Gal. Long (Green-House) and 55Gal. Tall (Primary Tank) 4 Fire-Belly Toads, 2 Fire-Belly Newts, 2 Giant Black Millipedes, 1 Grey Tiger Salamander

12-28-2003, 02:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Zurp Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Enfield, Connecticut Posts: 292	Mine are quiet, for now. I have one that tries to rape every frog in the tank... He makes a lot of noise. I can't imagine what kind of energy these guys will have when spring rolls around! Just as a precaution, I am building a sound-proof "Time-Out" beta tank! __________________ 20Gal. Long (Green-House) and 55Gal. Tall (Primary Tank) 4 Fire-Belly Toads, 2 Fire-Belly Newts, 2 Giant Black Millipedes, 1 Grey Tiger Salamander

12-28-2003, 06:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ace Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Penang,Malaysia Posts: 336	Hey Coast will you consider snakes/iguana if you want reptiles? __________________ New Tank! 80 g, Eheim Pro II w Hagen Surface Skimmer, TetraTec IN-1000, JBL Aquabasis and Sand subtrate, 1st 40w Lighting: 40W Marine Glo 2nd 80w Lighting: 2 40W Power Glo 3rd 80w Lighting: 2 40W Aqua Glo Whole set of Azoo fertilizers 3.8 kg Pressurized co2 tank

12-10-2003, 03:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
fishyboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: central IL Posts: 669	he siad fire belly toad

12-27-2003, 03:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
jart Algaephilus relucticans (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NS Canada Posts: 913	look at that little fella's eyes. looks like he's up to no good... :twisted:

12-27-2003, 07:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
^iMp^ Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 423	I heard that they are fairly loud in the evening--is this true?

01-09-2004, 02:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
GulfCoastAquarian ///M (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,555	Yeah, his eyes do look like he's up to no good, huh? haha, he was probably stalking a mealworm. So far this single guy hasn't made a peep. I'm planning on getting another 1-2 of the same so maybe they'll start chirping then. I'm not worried since the tank is upstairs, away from our bedroom. Ace, I've always wanted to try Iquanas (not snakes, though!) but have no experience so I think I'll get used to handling crickets a little better before trying one. So far I keep dropping crickets and leaving them in the bag too long and suffocating them! Anyway, here's an updated pic. I've got an Anubias in there now along with some moss off to the right. I'm trying to keep the whole thing low-light to keep it from turning into an algae factory but I might add a second T5 bulb soon. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

01-09-2004, 07:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
hypsophrys Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 225	That's a lot of red. Is the reddish tint on the rocks coming from the background, or is there a red light source? I love the use of the Whisper as a waterfall, btw - extremely efficient use of space.

01-09-2004, 10:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
jart Algaephilus relucticans (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NS Canada Posts: 913	amazing amount of depth for a 5 gallon. i assume the heater's there for the frog? or the anubias? the reason why i'm asking is, wondering if you could scrap the heater and go with wcmm's. there are probably lots of terrestial plants you could maybe throw in there to act as nutrient sponges??? or would you need more light?

01-12-2004, 02:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
GulfCoastAquarian ///M (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,555	The light I'm using is a F8T5 fluorescent with a definite pink tinge. I'm not sure I like it so I'm working on a 19w 6500K CF bulb setup to replace it. Part of the red glow also comes from the cherry wood cabinite it is sitting in. The other nice thing about the Whisper is that I don't need to dismantle the rock waterfall to change the filter cartridge! I can just pull it straight out of the top and leave everything undistrubed. Jart, I did have a small non-thermostatic 7.5w heater in there for the frog but water temps got up to 85F so I unplugged it and they're staying around 78-80F now. I think the Whisper powerhead is providing enough heat for what little water is in the tank (maybe a gallon or two?). As soon as I get more light over it - I am definitely going to throw in some more terrestial plants to act as nutrient sponges. I want some kind of fern, but most of them grow pretty big. I've got plenty of Anubias, I might throw another one on the right side. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

01-15-2004, 07:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
GulfCoastAquarian ///M (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,555	Here's an updated pic with the 19w 6500K CF light. I also pulled out the silk plant on the right and replaced it with an emersed Anubias Coffefolia. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

01-15-2004, 07:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
Wasserpest Born to be mild (View User Tanks) PTrader: (57) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 9,354	Really nice. I am inspired. How do you cover this tank? Is there some air exchange? How do you avoid evaporation on the glass? Are you worried about moisture in the cabinet? Have you considered some background, black, blue, green, whatever, other than the cabinet? Can you post another shot of the entire setup with the new lighting? __________________ All my tanks Cheap Autodosing Cheap Water Change Cheap Filter Acrylic Filter Pipes The Wasser-Controller

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