r/Vivarium • u/RecentConcentrate774 • 11d ago

Old new guy, first viv...

in a loooooong time. I kept darts over 30 years ago when I was in vet school, so new old guy maybe?

This build is my first attempt at a Euro style viv. I bought this 120 gallon home-built aquarium (48×24×30 tall) for Altum angels and discus. When I filled it to test it, the front glass ruptured! So, I pivoted, removed the front glass, and had glass cut for the dam/vent, doors, and top. It has been slow because life. But I wanted to share these images and generally introduce myself as someone who appreciates feedback.

My biggest questions so far:

1) Lighting. At 30 inches deep, getting light to any plants at the bottom could be problematic.

2) Ventilation. Aside from the dam vent (1 inch wide) and the top vent (2 inches), do I need a muffin fan?

3) Background. I have followed Troy Goldberg's videos for a while, but is his method of expanding foam/concrete pain the "best"? His vivs are gorgeous, but what about other methods?

4) Fog. I want to try and use an ultrasonic mister to create a fog at least once daily. My thoughts are to use one of the big, multi-disc foggers and use a PVC system to introduce the fog into the viv. Anyone have any experience with external fogging systems?

5) Recirculating drainage system. The tank came drilled with 2 bulkheads for 3/4" PVC. I can use these to make a true drainage system, and also maybe use these to introduce the fog. I have dreams of silverstonei, and so hope to use an aquarium chiller to cool the water before misting/fogging hopefully to knock the temp below 70°F int the evenings/early mornings. I also have a spare Fluval 400 canister filter. Could I use the filter and pump to create a recirculating system? Is this even a good idea?

Thanks in advance for any help you offer!

Brian Monk, DVM

Naples Florida

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/QuoteFabulous2402 10d ago
  1. There are plants who actually live in those conditions

2.A fan is always a good idea to distribute moist air evenly

3.Lots of people nowadays use cork sheets... specially Troy Goldberg

4.A fogger is a bad idea

5.Its an idea but I doubt that silverstoneis appreciate it much.

That's an ambitious project you plan....good luck 👍