Waterfall?

[Dragonbeards]

Is it possible to safely house a diy waterfall in a garter terrarium? I was thinking about making the one on this (http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/how-to-build-a-waterfall.html) page with my dad. Basically what I want to know is if there will be any hazards with doing this.

Note: I know that the more complex a terrarium, the harder it is to clean. Thing is, on my balancing scales, I'd rather have an awesome looking, harder to clean terrarium, than a stupidly simple (and in my case, super easy to loose interest) cage.

Thanks in advance,

Dragonbeards

[guidofatherof5]

Too much humidity and wet substrate would be my biggest concern.
Blisters and scale rot can occur in those situation along with possible respiratory problems.

[Dragonbeards]

Its a large aquarium (45g long). If the waterfall is contained to one side, with a dry area on the other, will this still be an issue?

[kibakiba]

I can imagine it would. The area could still get wet and harm your snake.

[mustang]

my tank is exactly like what hes describing and humidity aint bad! get a reptirapids waterfall tho

[ConcinusMan]

I wouldn't attempt it myself in a space smaller than say a 100 gallon (73 inches long X19 X19) and the "pond" would definitely have to kept small and at the cool end.

Even then I would think it would have to very well designed with sophisticated filtration, and possibly an exhaust fan.

It would definitely be a challenge. It's difficult enough to provide one type of contained habitat, let alone provide two in balance and adequate for both aquatic species AND snakes, but not impossible.

[Dragonbeards]

my tank is exactly like what hes describing and humidity aint bad! get a reptirapids waterfall tho

She ;). I've seen the reptirapids waterfall. Nice, but I like the look of a custom fall. Especially considering the design I want to do.

[ConcinusMan]

The reptirapids fall is pretty good and can be done in a smaller space. It is afterall designed for use in a reptile tank, but yeah, I prefer custom built ones. In any case, even a custom one could be modeled after the reptirapids design. I've seen quite nice ones designed by using a blue insulating foam to get the shape, then coated in fiberglass resin and sand, moss, paint, whatever used to make it look natural. The foam can be hollowed out underneath to hide a water vessel, pump, hoses, etc. mopai wood makes an excellent addition, it won't rot, and can be attached to a cork wall hiding the tube and the water can trickle down the wood into the "pond" very nice.

[mustang]

She
sorry sorry sorry

[ConcinusMan]

The one pictured in your link doesn't look bad at all but it would have to be very small so lillies might not be a good idea and then there's the issue of bacteria build up and snakes pooping in it so it would probably have to be changed and sanitized frequently.

http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/images/How-to-build-a-waterfall-for-a-terrarium.jpg

[mustang]

nothn like what im doin

[Dragonbeards]

Yeah, it would be smaller. But put in such a way that it would be easy to take out. If made correctly, cleaning it will not be a problem.

PS: Not a problem, mustang. For some reason, I get mistaken as a guy on a lot of the forums I go to. Your defiantly not the first.

[ConcinusMan]

Maybe it's the "beard" lol

[Dragonbeards]

Ah, yes, I've been meaning to shave it...

[Mommy2many]

I'm not sure if it was this forum but there was a member that made 2 separate enclosures, connected by pipe ( I believe it was PVC). It was 2 aquariums, one had a "dry" end and the other was aquatic. I thought it was a pretty cool idea and easier to clean.

[Dragonbeards]

I've seen enclosures like that sold from time to time. Neat idea, I just don't fancy the look of them. I was thinking something simpler, maybe blocking off the dry area with driftwood or something. Maybe create an elevated rock structure on the other side, with the same method as used for the waterfall?
Who knows, I'll have to see how much the fall actually sprays when I get it made. If its too much, I can always just save it and use it for something else down the road.

[mustang]

I'm not sure if it was this forum but there was a member that made 2 separate enclosures, connected by pipe ( I believe it was PVC). It was 2 aquariums, one had a "dry" end and the other was aquatic. I thought it was a pretty cool idea and easier to clean.
i was thinkn of doing that with my 55gal to 24 gal but i dont have enouugh room and transportation will be a b****