Wild Sky specialised frogs,exotic plants, vivarium


J.Hupp's Vivariums


Oct.14th2003

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Finally ready to show to the world, after some two and half years of work.

The tank is a 125 gallon terrarium (72L X 18W X 24H). The stand and hood are custom built, with all the electrical controls hidden behind the furthest left door on the stand. The hood contains two 15W Black-Phosphorus bulbs for nocturnal viewing (switch in stand) and supplemental heat (controlled by an in-hood thermostat), 6 4ft 40W fluorescent bulbs of varying wavelength (each pair is on a separate timer and switch below, so the gsun rises and setsh), there is also a timer and RF shielded rheostat controlled ventilation fan, an integrated irrigation system, and a switch controlled circulation fan (it runs 24-7 though). The vent fan pulls air in through PVC duct work in each back corner; forcing the air vented out the back of the hood to be pulled up from the bottom of the tank (this is necessary for the many epiphytic orchids). The circulation fan pulls air into the hood on the right side of the tank and blows it out through a duct on the other side of the tank; this is done at low velocity to mediate desiccation of plants in the exit path. All the electrical components are grounded (very important).

As for the flora, the tank was originally setup to house a growing collection of orchids and bromeliads. Unfortunately due to an unforgiving learning curve a sizeable portion of the original collection was lost within the first few months. But, I have prevailed. Here is a quick over view of what I grow:

Orchids
Orchidaceae
(2) Species of euglossine pollinated orchid, Gongora spp. and Stanhopea oculata
OncidiumeSherry babyf eSweet fragrancef, and an inter-generic hybrid in the Oncidium alliance
CatteleyaeMini purplef
Bulbophyllum lepidum
(2) Miniature species Dendrobium (non-hybrid)
(2) Hybrid Phalaenopsis
Encyclia cocheleata
Ludisia discolor
Bromeliads
Bromeliaceae
AechmeaeSuenosf
Vriesea hybrids
Neoregelia hybrids (eFire-ballf, eRed-eyef, and ?)
A hybrid Guzmania and G. lutea?
Tillandsia cyanea,T.usneoides, and T.ionantha
Asclepiads
Asclepiadaceae
Dischidia pectinoides, D.ovataeWatermelon leaff, D. platyphylla
Hoya spp.
Ceropegia woodii
Aroids
Araceae
Alocasia amazonicaePolyf
PhilodendronePrince of orangef
Syngonium podophyllum (the Butterfly hybrids)
Anthurium spp. (non-hybrid)
Spathophyllum spp.
Othersc Selaginella unicata (Lycopodiaceae)
Several un-identified ferns, Peperomia(s), Pilea(s), and Aroids (not listed above)
Because I am a botanist and not a herpetologist, I wonft break the frogs down like above. The tank houses two Red-eyed leaf frogs (Agalychnis callidryas), two Dendrobates auratus, one D. tinctorus, and two Phyllobates bicolor. However, expanding the frog diversity is in the plans.
Jay Hupp, Gainesville Fl, Graduate student in Botany, University of Florida
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