First Attempt

First Attempt

Postby bradmiller » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:50 am

I have been toying with the idea of a natural vivarium for a while so finally did it and here is a pic of the first one.
Also using a bio-active substrate - so far so good and it seems as if the Bush Viper is happy!

Lets see if the Ficus Bonsai will survive.
Image

Also "natured" up the Kanburi Viper tank.

Image
Image

I know the lighting may not be 100% but that will change as soon as I have finished the rack for the Exo Terra tanks.

Next on the list is the Armenian Viper tank.
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it’ll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it’s not even funny.
- Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter
User avatar
bradmiller
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 660
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:43 pm
Location: Gauteng

Re: First Attempt

Postby Westley Price » Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:02 am

Those are superb!

I am pretty sure most of us strive to have natural cages like those, but the maintenance puts us off.

I like the bonsai cage the most.

Well done!
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
User avatar
Westley Price
Forum gatekeeper
 
Posts: 4019
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:25 am
Location: South Africa

Re: First Attempt

Postby bradmiller » Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:17 am

Thanks Westley need to do a for more things at the top but so far I like it the best as well.
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it’ll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it’s not even funny.
- Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter
User avatar
bradmiller
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 660
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:43 pm
Location: Gauteng

Re: First Attempt

Postby kinghero » Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:40 am

Please post some picture with the animals in so we can see how happy they are in those stunning enclosures.
User avatar
kinghero
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 458
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:57 pm
Location: Rooderpoort

Re: First Attempt

Postby bradmiller » Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:20 pm

Will do...
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it’ll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it’s not even funny.
- Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter
User avatar
bradmiller
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 660
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:43 pm
Location: Gauteng

Re: First Attempt

Postby Aaxel » Tue Mar 13, 2012 5:36 pm

Is it true that captive snakes thrive better in natural vivariums?
never argue with idiots, they will drag you down their level then beat you with experience
User avatar
Aaxel
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 310
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:17 pm
Location: malawi, blantyre

Re: First Attempt

Postby bradmiller » Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:15 am

In some cases it is recommend you have live plants with certain species.
Snakes can survive in both the LAM (Laboratory Animal Method) and natural method equally well.
As to whether they thrive better - I will have to see. I have noticed they have more normal behaviour and do things they are supposed to do other than staying in the same spot. IMO
It also looks much better than the news paper - worth the upkeep if you are a collector and not a breeder.
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it’ll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it’s not even funny.
- Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter
User avatar
bradmiller
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 660
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:43 pm
Location: Gauteng

Re: First Attempt

Postby Serpent » Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:05 am

Brad you are speaking my language as I too am an avid cage decorator. I have a collection of arboreal vipers which are a must to put on display. I also have exo terra cages! I have made all mine as natural as possible, drift wood, twigs, repti-bark substrate and plastic plants. I did go the whole tree, potting soil, moss floor route, but really battled to keep a good balance in winter as it gets very cold here. So whilst trying to warm the snakes it dried out the plants or created to much condensation. I also had problems with fungi and tiny flies etc. I find with keeping the cages dry, its easier to keep the right temp and humidity, and its more hygienic. I have also taken the mesh out of mine and replaced it with perspex. Have elevated water bowls next to each perch, and spray twice a week.

What are ya gonna put in that cage?
User avatar
Serpent
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 355
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:07 pm
Location: Pietermaritzburg

Re: First Attempt

Postby bradmiller » Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:30 pm

Thanks Serpent.
The top pic has a western bush viper and the exo terra has a small male Kanburi viper.

Did you have a separate water layer? I will post some pics of the Armenian viper set up I am doing this weekend with the water layer and water level indicator. I am hoping this will help keep the ground moist. In winter it will be heated to 22 degrees this should help with the cold - all a bit experimental though.
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it’ll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it’s not even funny.
- Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter
User avatar
bradmiller
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 660
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:43 pm
Location: Gauteng

Re: First Attempt

Postby kinghero » Thu Mar 15, 2012 7:58 am

I Like this dudes videos. he really is good and gives alot of tips.

http://youtu.be/Rgh9jXme6OE

http://youtu.be/U7QMlvbnlBU

Have a look let me know what you think.
User avatar
kinghero
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 458
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:57 pm
Location: Rooderpoort

Re: First Attempt

Postby bradmiller » Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:55 am

Yeah he is cool - sounds like he smokes a lot of weed though ;) but his work is awesome.
I use HDPE foam rather than styrofoam a bit less mess.

Have you seen this guys dart frog viv?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLltdXCeeP0
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it’ll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it’s not even funny.
- Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter
User avatar
bradmiller
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 660
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:43 pm
Location: Gauteng

Re: First Attempt

Postby kinghero » Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:02 am

HAHAHA it does doesnt it. But I like the paint tips he gives. yip the HDPE should work better, How does the chipping work with it though ? I'll have a look at the vid now.
User avatar
kinghero
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 458
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:57 pm
Location: Rooderpoort

Re: First Attempt

Postby kinghero » Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:21 am

:-D This Guy is good, I'll be checking some of his otherstuff. Thanks for tehe share. :-D
User avatar
kinghero
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 458
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:57 pm
Location: Rooderpoort

Re: First Attempt

Postby bradmiller » Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:51 pm

Ok I have done 2 more tanks - still many to go.

The ficus seems to be doing ok its growing some new leaves and has not lost colour.
My humidity remains high so looking at extra ventilation.

Here is the process and the end results...
comments - negative or positive appreciated

Bare tank - note the water level gauge
Image

The water gauge
Image

"False bottom" using LECA
Image

The separator layer (keep soil separate from the water)
Image

Some features
Image

REAL - Plants
Image

2nd Tank
Image

The lights are working well - these were taken outside in the dark.
Now working on the Armenian viper tank pics to follow
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it’ll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it’s not even funny.
- Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter
User avatar
bradmiller
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 660
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:43 pm
Location: Gauteng

Re: First Attempt

Postby Kev » Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:14 pm

Wow!
Looking good, real good.
User avatar
Kev
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 506
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:57 am
Location: Johannesburg (East Rand)

Next

Return to Natural vivariums

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

cron