The vivarium being developed in this video series was purchased from Custom Aquaria. If you would like to buy a similar vivarium from them, you can message Matthew and Lisa - the business owners - on their Facebook page here: facebook.com/CustomAquaria.Rushden/ You can find all of the rest of the products shown in this video on Amazon via the links compiled in the following kits. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission when you purchase through these links (you don't have to pay more than if you were to find the products on Amazon of your own accord, though): UK glass vivarium background kit - kit.co/JTB_Reptiles/glass-vivarium-background-kit-uk US glass vivarium background kit - kit.co/JTB_Reptiles/glass-vivarium-background-kit-us Ca glass vivarium background kit - kit.co/JTB_Reptiles/glass-vivarium-background-kit-ca New to the channel? You might want to start here - th-cam.com/video/dUJZ04sqhxk/w-d-xo.html Follow nature’s example - th-cam.com/users/JTBReptiles Instagram - instagram.com/jtb_reptile/?hl=en Facebook - facebook.com/pages/category/Video-Creator/JTB-Reptiles-472487643238124/ The supplies I use - kit.co/JTB_Reptiles Advancing Herpetological Husbandry - facebook.com/groups/AdvancingHerpHusbandry Reptile Lighting Group - facebook.com/groups/ReptileLighting/ The Reptile Networks - reptilenetworks.co.uk
Filling the gaps with moss is a very clever idea. Normally people would foam the gaps in. Looking forward to seeing this build compete and the moss bring it to life.
im probably gonna use this tutorial for my crested gecko enclosure upgrade. she can't climb very well but today she proved to me that she can climb cork bark. its a lot easier than a treehouse town with stairs and ladders. she is still getting a little treehouse hide.
Thank you! I spent about £60 on cork in total... Not exactly cheap, but a lot less than I would have paid if I'd bought individual pieces - I buy mine in bulk.
Thanks! Aye, it’s in these sorts of enclosures that bioactivity comes into its own: it just wouldn’t be possible to clean behind every piece of cork bark!
CORK BARK TETRIS! Nice. I have previously used black silicone to fill gaps in background, then cover with dry coco brick substrate, press down, leave to cure, then brush off excess coco fibre. Finish looks good, learned it from RobC Tarantulaguy1967 youtube channel. But have to say, I'm loving the idea of simply stuffing cracks with moss. Looks really good, way simpler, quicker, and cheaper than the above method. Will definitely try this out next time. Thanks for sharing.
That looks awesome! When I get hold of a larger tank for my mourning geckos I'll definitely be trying something similar! Thanks for the idea, and can't wait to see how this develops!!
Fab video! Working on my first dartfrog vivarium and don’t want to use foam, I was wondering about using sphagnum Moss to plug gaps and holes in the cork. Looks brilliant and I’m sure will age beautifully too!
Can't wait to see how it comes out. I need to do something like this for an existing viv. I'm thinking of getting a plastic sheet to attach everything to before I inset it into the viv. I really want to try the sphagnum moss to fill in the cracks and see if it comes back. Cheers.
Beautiful background! I have wanted to build a background in my crested gecko terrarium but without using foam so this was perfect, Thank you! Greetings from Sweden 😊
Ooh thanks, this is great! I really want to make a background for my bearded dragon’s enclosure but I have been putting it off since I am not much of a “arts and crafts type”. Some are SO advanced or require so many different tools that I don’t have...
Yeah, I really don’t like the thought of carving, painting, grouting, and all the other stuff that is involved in trying to fake natural materials - and why fake it when you can just use the real thing? You might be interested in a rock wall I built a few months ago for my western green lizards. A similar design could work well for a dragon: th-cam.com/video/wTPXe0cDlIw/w-d-xo.html
@@JTBReptiles I did it yesterday! It looks so much better than I thought it would. When it’s just the wood i was unsure but it came together quickly. I’m super impressed. Thank you.
Hey I'm very curious how do you sanitize an enclosure after doing this? Right now I have nothing secured to my enclosures. I spot clean, clean with f10 once a month, and clean using a 2% chlorhexidine solution occasionally.
If I were going to try to incorporate some net plant pots into the background do you have any suggestions to what I could use to attach them to the wall besides foam? Would a fitted cork round work to secure it?
Thanks! Good question - the reason is because the enclosure is at the far end of the living room, so if I'm going to watch the geckos (or just look at the plants), the left-hand-side needs to be free to get a clear view.
A few years on and no mould :) The cork bark does lose some of its integrity after being wet for a while, but climbing plants hold it together just fine.
this is awesome! I’ve been looking for a different method besides expanding foam and this one is beautiful! Do you think it would still work with Java moss or sheet moss?
Java moss wouldn’t work - it needs too much moisture to stay alive. I have never worked with sheet moss, so I don’t know about that one. Good ol’ sphagnum is the what I’ve always used 🙂 Thanks for watching!
instead of silicone why not use pu foam spray and it's faster and you can remove unwanted ones.. then apply silicone and sprinkle it with bark powder to make it look more natural.. then add the moss and plants
The vivarium being developed in this video series was purchased from Custom Aquaria. If you would like to buy a similar vivarium from them, you can message Matthew and Lisa - the business owners - on their Facebook page here: facebook.com/CustomAquaria.Rushden/
You can find all of the rest of the products shown in this video on Amazon via the links compiled in the following kits. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission when you purchase through these links (you don't have to pay more than if you were to find the products on Amazon of your own accord, though):
UK glass vivarium background kit - kit.co/JTB_Reptiles/glass-vivarium-background-kit-uk
US glass vivarium background kit - kit.co/JTB_Reptiles/glass-vivarium-background-kit-us
Ca glass vivarium background kit - kit.co/JTB_Reptiles/glass-vivarium-background-kit-ca
New to the channel? You might want to start here - th-cam.com/video/dUJZ04sqhxk/w-d-xo.html
Follow nature’s example - th-cam.com/users/JTBReptiles
Instagram - instagram.com/jtb_reptile/?hl=en
Facebook - facebook.com/pages/category/Video-Creator/JTB-Reptiles-472487643238124/
The supplies I use - kit.co/JTB_Reptiles
Advancing Herpetological Husbandry - facebook.com/groups/AdvancingHerpHusbandry
Reptile Lighting Group - facebook.com/groups/ReptileLighting/
The Reptile Networks - reptilenetworks.co.uk
Where is the video showing you building your pond area?
Filling the gaps with moss is a very clever idea. Normally people would foam the gaps in. Looking forward to seeing this build compete and the moss bring it to life.
Thanks :) Yeah, I really hate expanding foam - I've only tried using it once, and it didn't go well...
I really do love doing backgrounds a side from actually getting the animal this is my favourite part of the hobby
You know, I might well agree with you there!
Excellent video! Glad to see someone making a great looking background without foam. And it looks even better IMO!
I want part 2 now!!! Love the way that turned out, easily one of my favorite DIY backgrounds I’ve seen 👌🏼
Thanks Dillon, glad you liked it! The second part will be available in a couple of weeks ;)
I am so glad you posted again
I'm glad to be back!
@@JTBReptiles 😃
I'm doing this now! I've been wanting to see some cool ideas without the foam and silicone mess and I love how this turned out for you!
Love this background idea! Tried it for a couple of my tanks-I love the look of it and it was very easy. Thanks so much for this inspiration!
Easily the best video I've seen for an ND beginner like me, thank you!
Just used your technique for my terrarium. I love the result! Greeting from Belgium 😊
im probably gonna use this tutorial for my crested gecko enclosure upgrade. she can't climb very well but today she proved to me that she can climb cork bark. its a lot easier than a treehouse town with stairs and ladders. she is still getting a little treehouse hide.
Welcome back, Joe!!
Cheers mate!
@@JTBReptiles No problem.
Wow, its amazing! So densely packed with cork, must have been expensive lol. Cant wait for part 2!
Thank you! I spent about £60 on cork in total... Not exactly cheap, but a lot less than I would have paid if I'd bought individual pieces - I buy mine in bulk.
This is awesome mate, well done!! Can’t wait to see the next part of this series. Such a great idea for a background!!
Thanks Harry, part two will be out on Thursday!
You do such a great job and are so creative with the backgrounds. I can see why you would need bioactive to keep them clean.
Thanks! Aye, it’s in these sorts of enclosures that bioactivity comes into its own: it just wouldn’t be possible to clean behind every piece of cork bark!
CORK BARK TETRIS! Nice. I have previously used black silicone to fill gaps in background, then cover with dry coco brick substrate, press down, leave to cure, then brush off excess coco fibre. Finish looks good, learned it from RobC Tarantulaguy1967 youtube channel. But have to say, I'm loving the idea of simply stuffing cracks with moss. Looks really good, way simpler, quicker, and cheaper than the above method. Will definitely try this out next time. Thanks for sharing.
Looking great JTB.
Thank you!
Love the background! I wish I'd seen this before doing my spray foam background.
This looks so good. I love how you filled the gaps with moss. I'll definitely be using this idea at some point.
Thanks, I’m glad you like the idea!
That looks awesome! When I get hold of a larger tank for my mourning geckos I'll definitely be trying something similar! Thanks for the idea, and can't wait to see how this develops!!
😁 Thanks for watching!
As usual, it's a great video. Definitely looking forward to the next part.
Fab video! Working on my first dartfrog vivarium and don’t want to use foam, I was wondering about using sphagnum Moss to plug gaps and holes in the cork. Looks brilliant and I’m sure will age beautifully too!
Thanks very much, glad you liked it!
Can't wait to see how it comes out. I need to do something like this for an existing viv. I'm thinking of getting a plastic sheet to attach everything to before I inset it into the viv. I really want to try the sphagnum moss to fill in the cracks and see if it comes back. Cheers.
Thanks for watching, glad the video has given you some ideas!
Beautiful background! I have wanted to build a background in my crested gecko terrarium but without using foam so this was perfect, Thank you! Greetings from Sweden 😊
Thanks, you’re very welcome!
This looks fantastic!
Thank you, Liam!
Looks so good mate.
loving the DIY vids!
Looks amazing! Currently jumping through videos looking for an idea and finally hit the goal thank you!
Love it I think I'm going to do this on a whites tree frog enclosure thanks edit: who disliked this tho
Ooh thanks, this is great!
I really want to make a background for my bearded dragon’s enclosure but I have been putting it off since I am not much of a “arts and crafts type”. Some are SO advanced or require so many different tools that I don’t have...
Yeah, I really don’t like the thought of carving, painting, grouting, and all the other stuff that is involved in trying to fake natural materials - and why fake it when you can just use the real thing?
You might be interested in a rock wall I built a few months ago for my western green lizards. A similar design could work well for a dragon: th-cam.com/video/wTPXe0cDlIw/w-d-xo.html
@@JTBReptiles I agree. Thank you, I will check it out :)
You go to Cambridge uni? Yikes we got a genius over here
Haha definitely not a genius, just ask awkward questions 😂
Very nice I will do my like this ❤
Nicely donne. I dont wait for 48 hours for silicone to cure even in my bathroom 😅
How has it held up over the 2 years? Did you need to re-do it?
World cork Tetris champion
😂
this looks so good 😍 , i def wanna do something like this
Good to know it’s given you some ideas!
This looks great, How did you stick the moss in?
Has the moss filling the gaps held up? My cork bark is in place and I'm getting ready to do this step. Thank you so much for this idea.
Yes, it has held up perfectly!
@@JTBReptiles I did it yesterday! It looks so much better than I thought it would. When it’s just the wood i was unsure but it came together quickly. I’m super impressed. Thank you.
😁👍
How many lbs of corks flats do you think you used? I'm trying to do the same for my 18x24x36 tank
Alright mate
Hope school is going well
What's your thoughts on exo terra terrarium please?
Hey I'm very curious how do you sanitize an enclosure after doing this? Right now I have nothing secured to my enclosures. I spot clean, clean with f10 once a month, and clean using a 2% chlorhexidine solution occasionally.
If I were going to try to incorporate some net plant pots into the background do you have any suggestions to what I could use to attach them to the wall besides foam? Would a fitted cork round work to secure it?
Yes, a fitted cork round could work quite well for that!
How did you prevent that mold is growing in between the corc and the glass???
Really informative. Thank you! Where do you buy your cork please?
You’re welcome! There are links in the description to kits containing all of the products used in this video 🙂
this looks great! is there a reason you left one of the sides open (sorry if you said and I missed it)
Thanks! Good question - the reason is because the enclosure is at the far end of the living room, so if I'm going to watch the geckos (or just look at the plants), the left-hand-side needs to be free to get a clear view.
@@JTBReptiles ah, thanks - a very good reason lol. Can't wait to see it finished - i'm sure they will love it :)
😄👍
Will that real cork/bark as a background on long term always get humid/water.. get molds?
A few years on and no mould :) The cork bark does lose some of its integrity after being wet for a while, but climbing plants hold it together just fine.
this is awesome! I’ve been looking for a different method besides expanding foam and this one is beautiful! Do you think it would still work with Java moss or sheet moss?
Java moss wouldn’t work - it needs too much moisture to stay alive. I have never worked with sheet moss, so I don’t know about that one. Good ol’ sphagnum is the what I’ve always used 🙂
Thanks for watching!
Thank you!
where do you get your bark?
If the geckos poop on the cork on the sides can you still rely on your clean up crew to take care of it or would you have to clean it yourself?
I just spray it off when I’m next watering the enclosure. Any remnants the springtails will get in time. Nothing to worry about 🙂
How do you keep the moss moist, mine has all dried out 😢
Hello JTB, where did you get all the wood from?
Check the kits linked in the description 🙂
Looks good problem is like 500 in cork bark lol
How do you afford all the cork bark? stuff isnt cheap
£35 for a 5kg bulk pack goes a long way. Still expensive but nowhere near as bad as buying individual pieces.
@@JTBReptiles Where exactly do you buy it from?
Thanks
instead of silicone why not use pu foam spray and it's faster and you can remove unwanted ones.. then apply silicone and sprinkle it with bark powder to make it look more natural.. then add the moss and plants
How much did all that cork cost you?
How has this held up over the last year?
FIRST!
Well in!
Hello! There's JB, go big or go home!
Is right!
Lift with the legs not the backkkkk
I gotta destroy my back for later life somehow
What you studying?