Juvie crestie enclosure

[HDreptiles]

So, I picked up an Exo-Terra 12"x12"x18" viv on the cheap the other day. And my wife and I want a crestie. I figured it would be a good terrarium to start with as we plan on getting a juvinile or hatchling at the NARBC show in October. The plan is this. I am going to silicone the back wall as there is a large crack in it, and put some GS over it. Then add some wood in the GS and silicone over the background. I will also be pressing some cocoa fiber into the silicone. As for live plants, I will start with fake ones, and add live as I go just to make sure I don't kill all the plants at once. As for substrate, I am not sure what to use. I know I need a drainage layer, but beyond that, I am sorta lost. Any help would be appreciated.

Here is what I have so far.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa468/cableguy69846/IMG_20120904_181649.jpg

So. The original plan was to do about 1"-2" of Hydroton, then some screen of some sort, then dirt, then some moss. Now I am wondering if I should just go a head and do a false bottom? Any suggestions?

[Sarrix]

Howdy, I have actually done almost the same thing as you with my crested. I have a GS background with a few pieces of wood sticking out. Hydroton bottom layer with a mesh screen, followed by about 4 inches of substrate. I actually got the substrate pre-mixed from New England Herp. They have a substrate specifically for rhacs. I also put springtails into the substrate as well as used leaf litter. Any questions let me know!

http://i.imgur.com/Bep6vl.jpg?1



That is what it looked like right after planting, before it grew in. I do use one fake plant in the top left corner to give my crested a secure shaded spot to be.

[HDreptiles]

Howdy, I have actually done almost the same thing as you with my crested. I have a GS background with a few pieces of wood sticking out. Hydroton bottom layer with a mesh screen, followed by about 4 inches of substrate. I actually got the substrate pre-mixed from New England Herp. They have a substrate specifically for rhacs.

http://i.imgur.com/Bep6vl.jpg?1



That is what it looked like right after planting, before it grew in.

Very nice man. I am going to do a GS background too, and I am working on the false bottom right now.:)

[HDreptiles]

So. Some changes. I added a false bottom. The main reason is I wanted to be able to siphon out extra water without having a hose hanging out of the viv permanently. I cut a piece of 3/4" PVC and put it in one corner to run a piece of tubing down. I think I am going to be very happy with that mod. Might also have to redo the wood and ditch a Piece or two. Now I just need some screen to finish the false bottom and then on to the background.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa468/cableguy69846/IMG_5188.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa468/cableguy69846/IMG_5189.jpg

Might just have to cut down some of the wood so It does not go all the way to the bottom. If I don't, I will have to do the background with the bottom in the tank.

Thoughts?

[Lankyrob]

This may sound like a stupid comment but it is late and i am semi-sedated, i take it you arent leaving the tape in the tank? :)

[HDreptiles]

This may sound like a stupid comment but it is late and i am semi-sedated, i take it you arent leaving the tape in the tank? :)

Lol. Nope. That is just to support it for now until I finalize it.:)