New to Arboreals, just checking I got the set up properly done

[Michael Livote]

As the title says, I'm new to arboreals and am getting 2 in by early next week. One is an a.mettalica, sub adult(2.75+", the seller said probably much larger) and ones an adult avic avic (no size given, she's a freebie).

I did a bit of research on here and elsewhere and think I got a decent setup done but would love some suggestions, if any are needed, thanks!

Some specs: they are the same sized enclosures from Zilla, 12"x12"x18". I added some flat bark, medium sized, a hanging silk, non sharp edged plant which is hung in a way that barely touched any tank side (added mostly for cover). I've added a small water dish and another smaller piece of bark which I may or may not keep in there. Substrate is coconut. The backrounds are Styrofoam and I have them outside of the tanks for effect (and more room inside!) .

 

[cold blood]

Taller wood, it should extend just about to the top...move the "plant" a little closer to the wood (or the wood closer to the plant)...i like to surround the top of the wood with foliage...otherwise looks pretty good.

 

[Michael Livote]

Thanks. My bark choices are seriously limited unfortunately, these were the biggest pieces I could find retail (I don't like ordering natural wood through online sources, never any proper pics of what you'll end up with). Definitely gonna move the plant over, maybe place the wood a bit more vertical, hopefully that'll make it work better. Thanks again for the suggestion!

 

[cold blood]

Driftwood works great...and its free if you have any rivers or beaches around.

 

[Michael Livote]

Aw maaaaan!!! I was told driftwood wasn't any good for T tanks....I've got tons of choices for that here...sigh....now where did I put that receipt Going to grab another silk plant or two to add to the hanging foliage as well.

 

[krbshappy71]

The backrounds are Styrofoam and I have them outside of the tanks for effect (and more room inside!)

@Swyft1970 check this thread out, Michael attached the styrofoam to the backs of the tanks, brilliant! We should do this. Also, let's find some driftwood, I'll read up more on it. Michael, great post, thank you!

 

[Michael Livote]

Okay, here is the two setups with some locally bought driftwood in place of the the larger bark pieces. I used the smaller bark pieces to "tie" the driftwood design together, if you catch my meaning. I couldn't find any other hanging type silk plants to add to it so I spread out the one I had as best I could. I hope this is enough for my soon to come Avics!

 

[Michael Livote]

Did the final thing setting up my Avic enclosures today: I hot glued rather amateurish-ly (yes that's a word...I think...) some opaque sheet plastic to the top of the Zilla enclosures replacing the screen tops that were there before I cut them out. Zilla's have two sections of screen, so this was a bit time consuming...but my T's are worth the time I'm gonna poke a few holes in there with a heated up nail (using a cigarette lighter) to aid in air flow. It looks horrible,lol, but it works great and that's what's important. Very strong and permanent. Thanks to all on here who gave great advice both on this thread and on the forums in total, you folks are the best! Here's pics before and after the holes, it works fine

 

[Trash Boat 666]

As the title says, I'm new to arboreals and am getting 2 in by early next week. One is an a.mettalica, sub adult(2.75+", the seller said probably much larger) and ones an adult avic avic (no size given, she's a freebie).

I did a bit of research on here and elsewhere and think I got a decent setup done but would love some suggestions, if any are needed, thanks!

Some specs: they are the same sized enclosures from Zilla, 12"x12"x18". I added some flat bark, medium sized, a hanging silk, non sharp edged plant which is hung in a way that barely touched any tank side (added mostly for cover). I've added a small water dish and another smaller piece of bark which I may or may not keep in there. Substrate is coconut. The backrounds are Styrofoam and I have them outside of the tanks for effect (and more room inside!) View attachment 310823 View attachment 310824 .

Add some substrate and you're golden! Also we have the same hanging plant I think lol!

 

[Michael Livote]

Add some substrate and you're golden! Also we have the same hanging plant I think lol!

Thanks! See above pics for substrate (coconut), was just showing the plastic work replacing the screens, very important for arboreal s so they don't get caught and fall to their untimely doom. I really like the end results, my Avic's should be happy

 

[Trash Boat 666]

Did the final thing setting up my Avic enclosures today: I hot glued rather amateurish-ly (yes that's a word...I think...) some opaque sheet plastic to the top of the Zilla enclosures replacing the screen tops that were there before I cut them out. Zilla's have two sections of screen, so this was a bit time consuming...but my T's are worth the time I'm gonna poke a few holes in there with a heated up nail (using a cigarette lighter) to aid in air flow. It looks horrible,lol, but it works great and that's what's important. Very strong and permanent. Thanks to all on here who gave great advice both on this thread and on the forums in total, you folks are the best! Here's pics before the holes, the only ones I took.

View attachment 311019 View attachment 311020

Uh oh, didnt see this, you're gonna want to drill numerous holes in that.

Thanks! See above pics for substrate (coconut), was just showing the plastic work replacing the screens, very important for arboreal s so they don't get caught and fall to their untimely doom. I really like the end results, my Avic's should be happy

I would add until it's right up to the vents below the door, and slightly higher in the back personally I use a mixture of coconut and vermiculite to prevent mold
It will help keep your moisture levels proper and provide extra cushion in event of a fall (unlikely but possible) I also like sphagnum moss, you can wet down clumps and scatter around the enclosure, as well as easily be picked up with feeding tongs and re moisturized outside of the tank or thrown away if it gets nasty

 

[Michael Livote]

Uh oh, didnt see this, you're gonna want to drill numerous holes in that.

I would add until it's right up to the vents below the door, and slightly higher in the back personally I use a mixture of coconut and vermiculite to prevent mold
It will help keep your moisture levels proper and provide extra cushion in event of a fall (unlikely but possible) I also like sphagnum moss, you can wet down clumps and scatter around the enclosure, as well as easily be picked up with feeding tongs and re moisturized outside of the tank or thrown away if it gets nasty

Haha, I just added a pic of the melted in holes(very thin yet strong plastic sheet used). Much better overall then screens. As for the substrate, that's an awful lot for this style tank, it would be more than half a foot and then some adding that much. I like mostly dry substrate preferring to mist every few days instead to keep mold in check. It's worked well for me with my many terrestrial T's. Still...if more substrate is needed, I'll surely do it, thanks for the advice

Final post, final setup. All holes are melted in, all plants are strongly hot glued in place, and unless I'm going to add more substrate (jury still out on that one....but maybe...nah), this is a done deal. Lots of planning, lots of work, and of course lots of fantastic advice and fun!! I can't wait to see if the new tenants approve

 

[Trash Boat 666]

Haha, I just added a pic of the melted in holes(very thin yet strong plastic sheet used). Much better overall then screens. As for the substrate, that's an awful lot for this style tank, it would be more than half a foot and then some adding that much. I like mostly dry substrate preferring to mist every few days instead to keep mold in check. It's worked well for me with my many terrestrial T's. Still...if more substrate is needed, I'll surely do it, thanks for the advice

Darn I thought I deleted that first reply bc I saw your post about poking holes right after I started typing it, but I guess I failed lol
And oh, 6" is a bit much for arboreals fir sure lol, but I like to have 3-4" minimum for anyone.

 

[Michael Livote]

Darn I thought I deleted that first reply bc I saw your post about poking holes right after I started typing it, but I guess I failed lol
And oh, 6" is a bit much for arboreals fir sure lol, but I like to have 3-4" minimum for anyone.

Still might add a bit more....too much time with the ground dwellers, used to more not less,lol. As it sits, it's done, just need for the new gals to arrive by Tuesday next week and let them at it Thanks again for the suggestions, really appreciated on this end!

 

[Katiekooleyes]

You have made so many amazing alterations from your initial setup, and that's awesome. The best part of anything is the ability to listen to advice.

You got a wonderful setup right now, and your Avic is going to love it.

Looking at the most recent photo, have you considered filling the "bald spot" in your enclosure with a plastic "leafy" plant from the ground, upwards? It's small, and won't ruin your avics experience if you miss it out. It just allows for your avic the opportunity to feel like s/hes hidden a little etc.

 

[Michael Livote]

You have made so many amazing alterations from your initial setup, and that's awesome. The best part of anything is the ability to listen to advice.

You got a wonderful setup right now, and your Avic is going to love it.

Looking at the most recent photo, have you considered filling the "bald spot" in your enclosure with a plastic "leafy" plant from the ground, upwards? It's small, and won't ruin your avics experience if you miss it out. It just allows for your avic the opportunity to feel like s/hes hidden a little etc.

I actually thought about that...but decided against it more for the cleanup aspect of it than the cosmetic. It might help out some more with the hiding arrangements for my Avics, but I think they will adapt and spin a ton of webbing to make up for their lack of full coverage, at least that's what I've seen them do in others posts on here and in youtube videos. Most folks have even less than I do and the little buggers adapt no problem I migtht add something down the road depending on how they react, but for now this should suffice. Thanks for the suggestion, it was one of the first things I actually considered when planning this project out, and I still haven't discounted it yet

 

[cold blood]

I would add until it's right up to the vents below the door, and slightly higher in the back personally I use a mixture of coconut and vermiculite to prevent mold
It will help keep your moisture levels proper and provide extra cushion in event of a fall (unlikely but possible)

1. Avic types dont require anything but the bare minimum in sub depth.

2. Mixing vermiculite will do nothing for mold prevention.

3. Vermiculite is an additive specifically for moisture retention...as an avic should be kept dry, vermiculite is a pointless additive as moisture levels dont need to be maintained whatsoever, and in fact too much moisutre can be detrimental.

 

[Trash Boat 666]

1. Avic types dont require anything but the bare minimum in sub depth.

2. Mixing vermiculite will do nothing for mold prevention.

3. Vermiculite is an additive specifically for moisture retention...as an avic should be kept dry, vermiculite is a pointless additive as moisture levels dont need to be maintained whatsoever, and in fact too much moisutre can be detrimental.

Mixing vermiculite helps with drainage, as well as water retention. When you have straight coconut fiber substrate water tends to kind of pool on top of it rather than flow thru to the bottom of the enclosure. When you have water pooling on the first layer of substrate, you're gonna end up with mold.
When you have vermiculite mixed in with your sub, the water finds it's way to the bottom layer with ease, allowing for gradual evaporation and consistent humidity levels.
Also I know that stuffy enclosures kill avics, and that they're not a species you want to spray down or anything, but my understanding is that they're not a completely dry species either, and stand to benefit from reasonable humidity.

 

[cold blood]

When you have straight coconut fiber substrate water tends to kind of pool on top of it rather than flow thru to the bottom of the enclosure.

Ive never seen this with any sub but dry peat moss. Anyway, pooling water wont promote mold, however sub that remains damp longer can.

not a completely dry species either, and stand to benefit from reasonable humiditu

No, they do best dry.

They live high in trees, which dry quickly even after heave rains.

Humidity isnt relevant to t keeping....no t can get moisture from the air....look at it this,way, if avics really needed moisture, they would live on the damp ground, under things where moisture levels remain consistent.


This old dated belief that they require humidity has undoubtedly killed more avics than any other piece of care sheet advice.

 

[Michael Livote]

Ive never seen this with any sub but dry peat moss. Anyway, pooling water wont promote mold, however sub that remains damp longer can.


No, they do best dry.

They live high in trees, which dry quickly even after heave rains.

Humidity isnt relevant to t keeping....no t can get moisture from the air....look at it this,way, if avics really needed moisture, they would live on the damp ground, under things where moisture levels remain consistent.


This old dated belief that they require humidity has undoubtedly killed more avics than any other piece of care sheet advice.

I'm going to agree with this one as I've been doing nothing but reading current advice on Avic keeping. Excess moisture has been strongly renounced to the point that, as Cold Blood said, it's quite possibly the biggest reason why they die in captivity (poor air circulation is the other most mentioned one). As I've only kept terrestrial based T's, learning as much as I can about Avic's was tops on my list for the last few weeks, and there is a lot of outdated stuff out there on them. Youtube is the biggest issue simply because folks are looking at 3 and 4 year old videos that still advocate for heavy moisture, and most folks simply do not look at the date they were posted causing some serious confusion and certain doom for their Avic's. I'm glad I am an avid reader of current news/posts on here and elsewhere or I would have probably done this setup very differently...and very much so wrong. It's never too late to change ones views, and it's also a very important thing to do for the health of your Avic's.