Naturalistic vivariums

[Highlander]

How many of you use this type of enclosure for your animals?Once I move to my new house I hope to make one.

 

[Highlander]

Don't all reply at once.

 

[Socrates]

Sorry for the delayed reply

Hi Highlander,

Sorry for the delayed reply, but it's been quite a busy day. Didn't really have a chance to look at all the new threads.

When housing my Ts (sorry, they are the only critters I have that require a terrarium), I tried hard to make them look like a part of nature. However, I didn't use real plants because of their light requirements. I resorted to silk/plastic flora.

I'm quite happy with my results - the only downside is that my arboreal setup is a pain in the neck to maintain due to my decorating.

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Wendy
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[Yve]

geez....I was thinking reptile enclosures which I think functional is better than natural.....anyways, in terms of invert housing, I love natural looking enclosures....I agree with the use of fake plants....easier maintenance sums it up there. But the natural look is beautiful and makes for a real showpiece in any room. I think the main problem I have with cleaning is getting through my ambitious webers production Its hard to maneuver through the webs without destroying the creation.

edit: Can you describe your ideas for a naturalist vivarium? Do you want it to only 'look' natural or do you want to use natural materials 'only' I have my e. campestratus in a natural looking enclosure but I do have a pvc elbow in there to promote burrowing...you can't see it unless you look at the side of the tank because it is butted up against the glass on one side.

 

[Highlander]

I was thinking of somwthing along these lines

 

[Yve]

oh....um...you meant a real vivarium! thats a little more extravagant than what I had in mind if you decide to work on such a project definately post pictures...that is incredible! Its a true work of art! The tarantula condo!lol

 

[Highlander]

Well it would be more like a frog condo.I was going to try something like this for a tomato frog I will hopefully be purchasing at the next herp expo here in New Mexico.

Jonathan/Highlander-the bipolar arachnoknight ;P

 

[Lasiodora]

Highlander,
Tomato frogs really aren't good candidates for these type of set ups. Chances are you will rarely see them as they like to bury themselves in the substrate. Small tree frogs, mantellas or dendrobates, would be a better choice.
Mike

 

[DnKslr]

This is the best I can do for now

Wish I had the space an money to build a huge one, like the size of a bedroom! It would have snakes, frogs, chameleons, tarantulas, and hissing roaches.

 

[Highlander]

Yeah I know that the tomato frog isn't the best for that kind of setup.But I was thinking maybe I would just decorate the back of the tank with live air plants.That way the frog couldn't get to and destroy them.

 

[Goliath]

Jonathan,
I posted pics of the tank that I use for my D.diadema a while back, that might be one idea.
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=26068
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=28511
As for bromeliads you could use the same type that I have in their tank. For proper growth the light must be fairly bright, I use a coralife light fixture that has 4 65 watt power compact 10,000K flourescent bulbs. I have Vreisia in the tank, and the Tillandsia species I have are concolor, ionatha, stricta, pseudobaileyi, edithae, neglecta, duratii, funckiana, arhiza,and caput medusae.
Hope that helps,
Mike

 

[Highlander]

Mike, thanks for the info


Diane,That is a very nice pic Do you think you could post a pic of the whole tank?