My first vivarium build.

[MJ Fourie]

Hi Everybody!

Sharing some pics of my vivarium. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated.

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[MJ Fourie]

some more pics and more to follow!!

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[fastback]

Looks good!
What Pet are you putting into the setup?

[komodoking]

Looking good so far can't wait to see the rest, what will be going in there ?.

[MJ Fourie]

and finally plants!!

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Thanks for watching!

[MJ Fourie]

Thanks!

I will be putting in some crested geckos, I reckon my tank will have plenty of grow out time before the next reptile expo!

[mailjvdb]

Nice setup, looks like you've done some homework. Designed nice and low so that the light can reach most plants. It aught to work fine. What lights are you using? (wattage, type etc)

Most plants you have used should work fine, but I am a bit concerned if the Zantedeschia in the right front corner will grow well. It might do some serious stretching.

A darker background color will also bring out the green of the plants much better.

[MJ Fourie]

@ mailjvdb, thank you, I am using 2x 20watt daylight energy saving bulbs, also receiving some natural light from a window. The Zantedeschia is actually showing some new growth. I am not to concerned about the plants that do not make it, I did plant a lot of stuff with the hope that at least a few will grow.

Thanks for the advice on the background color, I will keep that in mind for my next project, cant wait!!

[mailjvdb]

See if you can go bigger with wattage, and also try and incorporate warm & cool whites.

[Mitton]

Looks nice.
Just remember, Crested Geckos do not like too much heat, just check that the lights don't make the cages too hot. They also don't like sunlight, so don't put the cage in direct sun light.

[MJ Fourie]

@ mailjvdb, how strong should the wattage be? What do you recommend?

@ mitton, no direct sunlight, I am also concerned about to much heat as well, especially if I start using higher wattage, might be removing the lights and placing them on top outside the vivarium to lower the temp.

[mailjvdb]

I would recommend the highest wattage that could fit in there, but that doesn't overkill the temp gauge. What are the temps as is?

You can improve/tweak the current light source without going with bigger wattage, by removing the plastic cover and replacing it with mesh. The glass/plastic cover "eats" most of the quality light that plants need to thrive.

[Debbiestar88]

MJ, what did you make the background with?
And what paint did you use?!

Im upgrading my beardie to a bigger viv and he has one of those polystirene backgrounds that cost a fortune to buy..
If you could give me some tips on making it myself id appreciate it!!!

Awesome work by the way!

[sega]

Very nice whatever is going to stay in there is very lucky.

[MJ Fourie]

@mailjvdb The max temp near the lights go up to 32C, thats why I think I will just have to replace the whole top with mesh and make another plan with my lights, I was also concerned about the plastic not letting the light through, thanks for your advice I do appreciate it very much!

@Debbiestar88 go check out http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/ you will find everything you want to know about polystirene backgrounds there!