A little bit of a tip for pouring paint (or anything) out of that type of container, either get a roughly 6-8 inch piece of manila/card stock folder or even just a bit of masking tape and run it into the sealing groove of the can. It will act as a pour spout and keep the paint from getting into the groove (and all over everything else) and make it easy to pour.

Cool vivarium. U should do a video on your misting/fan setup and where u like to keep humidity.

Awesome video bro! Also loving the shirts! Especially you know which one ;). Also want to say I LOVE the idea of using the ADA aquasoil to prevent the substrate from passing through the tiny gaps! Might have to steal that idea ;).

You actually made a "false bottom." So many youtubers make a drainage layer out of crushed rock, gravel, or LECA and call it a false bottom. You are one of the few that did it right!

Picked up the leachianus shirt this week. Awesome design. Thanks for creating it!

Really liking your tutorials amazing setup love it 👍☺

Nice work. Great info. Keep it coming

Super helpful, thanks so much

Love it dude! Great Build!!!

small net pots make good supports....they are cheap and they allow good waterflow

Great Video Mike!!

Hi Mike! Nice vid and awesome viv, looking forward to see the update on it. Nice to see your T's are still a thing, time to add some extra T's to my collection. Have a nice day!

Hey Mike, im making my first vivarium, im using tree fern as background (not flat panels) i might try to send u a picture when the setup is done. Edit: its pretty much the RAW form of tree fern cutted in half, not compressed like the panels, it looks good and will grow moss in no time

when i was starting to research about decoration of dartfrog vivariums i always read that cork won't last long in wet/warm terrariums. so actually i tried to avoid planning to use it as a hard scape especially as grow media for bromelia since it tends to rot when the bromelia finally got established on it. however i am curious how you fixed the bromelia to the haard scape - i see no stings attached...

I think one of my dart frogs died. (It was getting old) but I dont know where it is my enclosure is quite lush and I dont want to tear it up. Do I just let the circle of life take place? Or do I tear up my terrerium to find it. Otherwise my other frog seems perfectly healthy

Looking forward to the bane upgrade

Another great build Mike! You left out the mods I'm sure you did with the top

Hey mike good video I just used this method on my red eyed tree frog Vivarium cane out awesome !

I’ve been looking to buy isopods and spring tails and was wondering if you could recommend where to purchase them.

This video was excellent. I loved your plant selection as well as the appearance of the drylock. Not only did those look good, but the positioning of the wood was great too. Overall, I loved watching this. Also, I picked up on you talking about "new viv syndrome" like the Chameleon Breeder Podcast, I think it's great you are able to apply what you've learned one place, and tech more people about it on your channel. I have one question though, at the end of the video, you mentioned "the odd fish video". Did you get fish? If so, I'm excited to find out what kind! To finish off, I want you to know that I think you're an extremely intelligent person, and that It's great that you are able to share your knowledge with thousands of people. You are very talented, and I can't wait for your next few videos.

Hey Mike! I was wondering if you could make a video about humidity gages and thermometers for dart frog vivs. I'm currently building one right now and would love to hear your opinion on the pros and cons of some of the ones on the market. Love your videos btw keep it up!

Couple questions. 1. Can I do a Drylok background but put coco fiber over it like you would do a foam + silicone backdrop? 2. How do you get the bromeliads with large stumps into the wood like that.

Mike , an update would be nice when its grown in

Silicone 1 has mold inhibitors now

Hey mike, I'm a little confused about terrarium-safe paints. I've been reading from dendroboard that a lot of people add some nontoxic acrylic craft paint to their drylok or concrete BGs because when it cures it is basically inert plastic. What do you think about painting BGs?

Great video! Very helpful!

Thank you great video ! I want to ask, what about ventilation / airflow in the tank ? and also what is your watering technique? thanks !

Looks good!!

I’m also getting a dry lock build uploaded to my channel. Also inspired by Troy.

But how do you drain the excess water? I have a terrarium and I know I need to drain it at least ones a month.

Looks sweet mike!

Thanks for the clear instructions. So you dont put anything in the drainage layer, right? No pump to get rid off access water or clay balls. Just the open space with the tubes in there, right?

Great video man!

This is gorgeous mike!!!

Great build Mike! How much did it all cost?

What could I be doing wrong where my foam ends up with little holes in it when I do my cuts? Am i cutting too much off or am I applying it incorrectly?

Love the way this tank looks. Will vines grow onto the hydrolok? Thanks!

Mike from Alpha Reptiles. So much better.

Have you ever skipped the drylok? I used the same pond foam and carved it and loved the look and siliconed some spots with cocofiber. is the drylok necessary to protect the carved foam or will the foam do fine considering its made to get wet?

Hello friend Mike...you did a good job... Congratulations 👍👍. I have a question that I would like you to explain to me if please have to do with the watering....How do you do in yours? Do it daily.... Every other day...how many times.... Temperature inside the terrarium for the plants etc etc... I have difficulty preserving plants... thank you big hug

Could u tell me how to build a dart frog setup with a water stream? What items needed: type of tank, ect

Amazing build but I’m a little confused about the background do you just leave it how it is or do you put some of the substrate on it? I’m very new to all of this so please help me out here 😅

RIP Mikes phone😂😂 I hate it when I get foam on my shirt.

great vid!

So what is the purpose of using drylock?

For Red ackie, How do you check to make sure the deeper part of substrate is moist while surface dries? Also will sprayer be able get the deeper substrate moist as it increase the humidity to desired level? Can I correctly assume a large millipede cannot co-habitat with the dwarf monitor?

Nice video Mike ! Where did you found your bromeliad ?

Nice, keep going

Can you do a timor setup video? For a bioactive planted tank plzzzz

What are the dimensions for this tank? I’m planning on building one soon. Also how many frogs can fit in here?

How do you monitor / balance the water in your drainage layer? Do you have a way to drain the water from it? Or do you mist it just enough that the vivarium consumes enough water to keep it from filling up?

Hey Mike, Great video's. My son and I are just starting out any pointers on what is a good beginner frog to start with. I was thinking a couple of white tree frogs...

What's the purpose of the egg crate/soil? I never understood the false bottom. I just have a drainage layer of hydroton. Which you you recommend?

Guess I've been living under a rock because never heard of Troy Goldberg 🤷 lol 🙃

Awesome video ! Can I mix coco-coir or peat moss with the drylok and then paint that mixture on the background ? Having just drylok on the background makes it look a bit flat in my opinion. Does it work if I mix the drylok with a substrate ? Thanks!!

Aqueon Fish Tank Silicone Sealant, 10-ounce, 2-pack, Clear is that safe and there will be no fungi or mold

Hi Mike , I'm doing my first vivarium and you've been a great resource and I wanted to say thanks!! How are you placing your plants in the substrate? are you just pushing the clippings and roots right into the ABG layer?

I'm at the point of finishing the great stuff with planters, my question is, does great stuff have to be entirely covered with drylok or will it deteriorate at the hidden missed areas?

Hello Mike, first of all thank you for sharing you knowledge with other people like me. Is it possible to create a cleaning crew just with isopods? I can't find a way to get springtails where i live...

How long did you let the drylok cure before exposing to water/moisture?

can I use wood from the forest to build the hard structure with as its covered in moss & free?

Which is better drylock or the silicone method I havent seen anyone say which is better and why?

Can we use the IKEA hydroballs for the bottom?

Your an artist you make this stuff sound so easy i can't even find the can of foam round where i live in UK Mike lol

HA6 Marine grade silicone ,,,,,,,,,, comes in colors ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Nice Job

My dart frog is acting a bit off. When I must it's tank the frog arches it's back, flattens out and wipes its self off.... Can anyone help?

Pro tip! Thanks man! 😂. hope it was ok

Where is the moss tack video

Yessssss at last

I'm glad you mentioned dwarf monitors because I'm working on a red ackie cage right now and considering using drylok to cover the GS foam but not sold on it. I was thinking about 10 coats or more because i need this giant dumb enclosure to last since i have about $600 in material so far (because a few mistakes) How durable is this stuff? Should i just use a epoxy putty? I need help! LMAO.

Hi Mike, nice video bro! I pretty much followed these instructions to a T, and made a tank with drylok background that looks insane. My question to you, did you seal the background edges that are visible with silicone? I did not, and one week into plants and water in tank my drylok has pulled away from the glass on the edges of the visible border in multiple areas. GS is water proof, but I’m imagining bugs getting behind the background and living there which could cause an odor from a buildup of bug poo. Did you have this issue? Is this even an issue? Should I drain tank and silicone the background border edge? Thanks man

What do you recommend the most to fill the substrate layer by the drainage layer

why do you use the ada soil in the substrate?

No drainage / siphon port ? a tube that would penetrate down to the bottom to be able to siphon sour or extra water ? AGAIN ,,,,,,,,,, GREAT WORK

How's that drylocke holding up

Will you ever go back to a different style background besides drylok

How can I keep the terrarium warm

Do u ever have to take these things out and clean the substrate or can u just let the springtails do it and occasionally wash the poop off the glass

I’m in the uk do you have any idea what the British version of dry lock would be? Could I use any? Is it safe toxicity wise? Thanks!!

Nice broo

Hey mike new to this channel thanks for the details bro just got into wanting to learn about dartfrogs and being able to start a hobby, I do have a question for you, am i able to turn a 15 gallon curved fish tank its 17.5 inches high width 12.5 inches and length 20 inches and if i can is there a special tube for the drainage, what would you recommend or For me to start it in a different kind tank made for dart frogs? I really liked how you made yours in this video I wouldve thought that silicon you used had harmful chemicals. I appreciate the advice I will be a new subscriber !!

Is rosewood safe for dart frogs

What kind of plant is that at 2:17 with the fern like appearance and little projections in the middle? Thanks!

How do you attach your bromeliads to the driftwood

How do you attach the bromeliad to surfaces

What are that white small things ???

Update on this :)

How long would you recommend for drylok to cure before adding my ball python

where do you get silicone one in calgary ? homedepot doesnt carry it

Mike from Alpha Reptiles ? Dude, you shocked me ahahahah What happened with Phoenix ? :D x

What type of water do you spray your crested gecko with

hey Mike.. i got a question.. i will make a tank for raitomeya and i know thy will climb a lot.. the question is, the tank is 23 inch high.. to get 78,8 degrees to the very bottom, i have to take a 40watt lamp.. that cause over 80 degrees from the mittle to the top.. is that ok? sorry for my bad english, im from Austria :) your vids are very helpful, nice work btw!

Since I can't have pet frogs cause of my family saying NO! I have some frog figurines which I'll name Frick and Frak.

If you have a digging species is carbon safe?

Which light use in vivarium ?

Do you still sell those dart frog shirts?

how many vivarium do you have

Hey Mike.

How much does it cost?

I never really liked frogs. I don't mean I hate them, i just get really queasy if I touched or imagine it 🥶 my last experience wasn't that good 🤣 But some frogs are adorable asf!!!!!