How to Make a Waterfall in your Vivarium

Want to make a custom vivarium, complete with pond and waterfall? Make your own tropical oasis for reptiles and amphibians - we'll show you how!
For more information: www.joshsfrogs....
Waterfall Kit: www.joshsfrogs...
Note: This video features Grow Stone as a false bottom, Unfortunately, the Grow Stone Company went out of business. We have now switched to Hydroton. Different Look, all the same benefits!!

[@colmblodget9157]

I honestly don't know why you don't have 1 mil your channel is so amazing, your videos always give me joy.

[@livebreatheadaptevolve]

Awesome video! now here's the million dollar question- What/how do you do if the pump fails AFTER? How can you simply replace the pump without destroying your masterpiece?

[@JoshsFrogs]

With this build, the pump can be removed easily - the cord can be pulled out through the PVC in the background, and the hose can easily be reattached to a new pump.

[@livebreatheadaptevolve]

Josh's Frogs thank you for the reply 😊

[@rvmitra3220]

Where did you put the pump? It's not beneath the foam, right?

[@bigricardofuego4587]

Replace the tubing.

[@AliceinOverwatch]

You're thumbnail was extremely misleading

[@mollieman5751]

MelodicWolf it isnt a aquarium

[@bigricardofuego4587]

Your*

[@captainrex5947]

MelodicWolf r/Wooosh

[@dogfrog5818]

Captain Rex ur dumb ash

[@jengaffney933]

@MelodicWolf well, of course not! but they used a photo when the real thing has such a little waterfall, if we could even call it that

[@jackdiller9087]

"Have a good day!"

[@SChocker2008]

Today im going to eat maggot cheese.

[@Currentttttt.]

No u

[@davidrule6828]

Knew I heard the beasts music lol

[@Mitch-rd9gs]

Looked awesome! Will definitely consider purchasing the kit to add to my aquariums!

[@SawdustAndShavings]

Newbie question: When you do a foam diy background, what is the best way to prevent the foam from being seen from the sides? My tank will be visible from both sides.

[@johnanderson1167]

I've seen several people mark out where they intend to put the foam stuff with a wax pencil on the outside of the terrarium. Then before they foam, they cover that area on the inside with black silicone in a thin layer. Then come back and put the foam in. Essentially you see black instead of the yellow foam. Or I guess you could just use the black/charcoal colored pond foam in the first place instead of the yellow stuff.

[@dellaranae1]

In my snake and bearded dragons tank I did the foam walls on all 3 sides and just used a good black acrylic paint (Krylon brand I believe...) to paint the outside of the glass. It worked great for me.

[@NeanderthalDogma]

Use a paint rolling rustoleum flat black enamel paint

[@rcchopperman]

Well done. I've watched a lot of background vids. Best one yet. I'm about to do a huge retic enclosure incorporating these techniques. And yes, I'm serious. 8ft x 6ft x 32 inch cage. I bought about 30 cans of spray foam.

[@JoshsFrogs]

That's a big background! I'd recommend some internal supports, such as that plastic egg crate you can purchase at home improvement stores. Cut and zip tie it together so that the foam is well supported.

[@_peepee_]

weird comment

[@LindyDesignLab]

Interesting use for spray foam. I've used it for costume making. Then the silicone on top... This is really cool.

[@katelynchapman-p1c]

Did you cover the pump with rocks? Or did you leave a space with just water around the pump blocked by pond wall?

[@mohsenaghdam3136]

thats great sir.i try many way to make background for my terrariums but this is the way to do that.many thanks

[@MichaelBrown-gl3gs]

Thanks for the info, but is it Tropical House Gecko friendly?

[@graywolf3495]

how do you clean a tank like this properly? (if you had like frogs in it)

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Depending on the species of frog you're going to be relying heavily on a clean-up crew of springtails and isopods and for larger frogs, spot cleaning. Replacing the substrate will take care of a majority of the bacterial build-up over time. As for sanitizing the background you really can't without tearing everything down to the glass and bleaching it out and starting over. However, you shouldn't have to do this unless you suspect some sort of bacterial buildup that is harmful.

[@graywolf3495]

thanks! how often do you do a water change?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Water changes are much more frequent. I would recommend treating it like a small aquarium and performing them at least once a week.

[@matthewotremba9230]

Going for this project real soon , as I have 5 Exo Terra enclosures , yet you can now get the grey, black , Great Stuff Stone and pond I believe it is called

[@jessedunda2130]

Hi what is the foam? And is the foam and silicone safe if I plan to add fish? I want to use a glass divider instead of the sponge dividers and put fish along with some kind of amphibian in the tank, specifically I want to put the foam background with the dirt and silicone and stuff all the way to the to the bottom of the fish part so it blends with the background and I want to know if that'll be okay with the fish?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

The foam is animal safe. As long as you're using aquarium silicone (we sell this on our site), it's fish safe.

[@rcast1986]

Ordered this and after spending 4 weeks building my vivarium and getting ready to put everything in, I lay down my drainage layer and put in the included substrate barrier...and it doesn't let water pass through 😠 What's the point in having this if it won't drain water through it?? Now I have to find an alternative, which means more delays in letting the waiting inhabitants in their grow out tank. Also, Josh's Frogs left something crucial out of my already delayed order, really not happy with my experiences with these guys.

[@jonnytheodorou7720]

Can you put bumble bee dart frogs in this exact set up?

[@JoshsFrogs]

Sure can! Dendrobates leucomelas would be a great fit for this vivarium. You may want to add more wood/hardscape for surface area, or wait for the plants to grow in a bit before adding frogs.

[@NoNo-iv8fy]

Josh's Frogs what are the dimensions on the tank? I would like to get one

[@jonnytheodorou7720]

Im not Josh's frogs but from the comments they said its a 36x18x18 inch Exo Terra Glass Terrarium

[@Midoriku91]

36x18x24

[@skychappell9728]

I'm new to waterfalls and ponds in vivarium setups and this might be a stupid question. I have a 97 H20 pump from Josh's Frogs that I an using for my waterfall in my vivarium. The instructions says to make sure not to touch the water while the pump is plugged in. If that is the case, how is it safe for my frogs to get in the water while the pump is going and making the waterfall work?

[@Simpson3386]

how do any of the plants drain that are in them cups in the foam

[@Anthony-eg7pw]

Do you guys sell the pond wall foam? Does it do a good job keep the water and substrate separated? Thanks for your help

[@ChronicAgitation]

Would this be recommended for a Chinese water dragon with a wonderful habit of pooping in water?

[@JoshsFrogs]

As long as you change the water, that shouldn't be an issue. Water dragons excel at trampling plants, though.

[@Sammy-jr5hk]

Angel San Luis I built this for my water dragons you have to change water 1 once a day

[@StreyGrim]

Angel San Luis is the

[@WoM]

Excellent video guys!

[@scottmclaughlin1410]

one step you need to add is a layer of silicon under the great stuff. eventually your background will pull away from the glass otherwise

[@JoshsFrogs]

If the glass is initially clean, this shouldn't be a problem. I have set up 70+ vivaria with backgrounds, and have yet to silicone the glass first. Some tanks are now over a decade old.

[@supersmashbro200]

Are the plants in this kit good with high heat/humidity and are safe for snakes? I'm slowly working up to making a similar set up for my BRB who's quickly outgrowing her current tank and the only thing I'm really stumped on is what kind of plants will be fine. (along with duckweed as I want to use that for aesthetics and other water plants)

[@JoshsFrogs]

Some of these plants are more fragile, and I'd avoid use. The larger leaved ones would be great with your BRB.

[@danogabe]

Really great and quality video!!!. My only question is how long will the peat moss or coco last to the background? Will they be lose by time or the silicon will hold long enough?If the animal climbs on it will it remove some of it?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

I have backgorunds constructed this way that are 10+ years old and still going strong. Just make sure the coco or peat moss is bone dry when applying it to the silicone.

[@zachkittle9625]

how does that little foam wall, keep water from not seeping into the false bottom? Seems like it would still seep through into the false bottom.

[@ChartingCharlie]

Does the foam rot if it's not protected by the silicon?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Hi Charles, It will deteriorate over time - we strongly recommend covering any spray foam with silicone.

[@ChartingCharlie]

joshsfrogsvideos have you ever used something like a low density filter sponge as the drainage layer? I'd like to set up my Wardian Case with a water feature and a large rock structure. It's a tough build because the case isn't designed for it: it's narrow, tall, and fragile lol. Thinking a pond filter sponge may provide a solid base to build off, but I don't want to sacrifice microbe health. Honestly just looking for an easier way out. Plan A was using spray foam to build the structures first, securing everything to the floor in the process, and then filling in layers as usual. But building in this type of container is odd for me; if I have an uh oh towards the end it's going to be a frustrating fix. From your experience do you have any advice or alternative methods I could consider? Thank you

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Yes, I have - check out matala mat. It's a bit more robust than filter foam.

[@ChartingCharlie]

Sounds good, I think I'm going to try that route. I really appreciate it, I know my post was off topic.

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

No worries!

[@balzonurchin]

How long does the background hold up with water constantly flowing over it like that? Wouldn't that just speed up the decomposition of the coconut coir? I'm planning a waterfall with my build, & I've been stressing over how to go about it without saturating my background. Is it not worth my while to create a rock stream bed or something to prolong the vivarium's longevity?

[@JoshsFrogs]

Several years - go for it!

[@balzonurchin]

Okay, thanks. I'll try not to worry too much about it then.

[@PeacheIIe]

The guy narrating this sounds like he's absolutely done with the world

[@kill56erb5ee]

Hello, just wanted you guys to know that the link for the kit is outdated.

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Thank you - I just updated the link!

[@Macabregirl666]

would a setup like this be ok for a tarantula? I have a Singapore blue and really want to put her in a fancy tank, she's gotten too large for hers. I would like to put a waterfall in there too...

[@sr-hd3bz]

thats beautiful

[@jameskozakiewicz571]

How do you sanitize and clean a gritty textured surface like this?

[@bradtaylor5443]

Looks great!! When doing this, and foaming your pots in for plants, if you use live plants can there be some issues later on with water your plants and water running onto foam?

[@righteiousmccall9435]

What size filter sponge did you use as your divider in between your land and pond?

[@Nocturnnum]

2:48 am. KZbin spiral about pets. My names josh. My brothers name is zack. Starting this video. Blew. My. Tiny. Mind.

[@JoshsFrogs]

Insert Twilight Zone theme music. Cue backup dancers.

Very good video

[@thomaspeltiersarasota61]

Is the soft foam that separates the pebble pond area fixed in place? Or is it just held in place by substrate?

[@Graaahhhtard]

What is the difference between the substrate barrier you used here and the draining mesh you have on your website? Also, can the falso bottom be switched out with hydroballs or normal drainage substrate, or is false bottom the best for creating a water feature in a tank?

[@JoshsFrogs]

It's more or less the same thing - we just prefer our stuff vs the expensive name brand products. We find the Josh's Frogs Branded stuff to be less expensive (and many times, work better) than name brand products.

[@Graaahhhtard]

Josh's Frogs could i just use generic fish gravel? I would definitely use a gravel of a larger size but would that work?

[@darlaverkamp324]

that is so cool

[@Birdobserver777]

Would this be okay for a corn snake? And what size tank was used here?

[@JoshsFrogs]

This is a 36x18x24 tank. It's designed for a more humid environment that what would be appropriate for a corn snake.

[@discoverlaurence]

May I ask the power of that water pump?

[@scowie71]

Is that divider just foam? so the water on each side is the same, not two seperate bodies?

[@JoshsFrogs]

It is a special type of inert foam. Whenever possible, it's best to have a common water source for water features, so that all the water present in the tank benefits from water movement. It keeps the 'good bacteria' up.

[@scowie71]

Josh's Frogs yeah ok makes sense then. Will clay balls contaminate the water source for my frog?

[@JoshsFrogs]

They will not, but they can be dusty- I'd rinse them before adding them to the vivarium. Even better, check out Josh's Frogs False Bottom!

[@isabellam1936]

Can you used recycled enema water?

[@giveawayg0d298]

Man zach yo explained the waterfall so well! -_-

[@nickarton3089]

Do you have to use the flower pots?

[@tjtube263]

What are those black mesh cup looking things embedded in the background?

[@JoshsFrogs]

Those are net pots - they're sold on our website.

[@tjtube263]

What are they for? Holding plants?

[@moose7063]

tjt263 it helps live plant roots grip on to something and grow

[@akalmanusia3644]

may i know what is that red canned thing?whats the use,and whats the difference between silicone?

[@JoshsFrogs]

The red can is Great Stuff, which is yellow expanding foam, that is good for structure. The silicone is not expanding and can be mixed with soils to create a natural look. Red Can: www.joshsfrogs.com/great-stuff-spray-foam-12-oz-for-sale.html Silicone: www.joshsfrogs.com/vivarium-safe-silicone-10-2-oz-clear-for-sale.html

[@moist_mochilol1099]

Would the Coco fiber mold?

[@captainrex5947]

Hey I have a question there isn’t a kit for this tank online so where do you get the glass top?

[@isabelsamora1240]

I never understand where people put the plug from the water pump? !

[@isabelsamora1240]

The plug cable

[@JoshsFrogs]

We run it up the back, enclosed in a piece of PVC pipe.

[@seanrobertson1937]

How did you get the pump cord through the pvc pipe?

[@JoshsFrogs]

You use large enough PVC that the cord will fit, then drop a bit of string or something through the pipe, tie it to the cord, then pull the cord through.

[@seanrobertson1937]

Brilliant!

[@70grade37]

@@JoshsFrogs So the power cord is what's going through the PVC pipe?? So in the event the pump fails, move the rocks that are surrounding the pump, ... How would you get the new cord for the new pump back up the PVC pipe???

[@hydraman5]

@@70grade37 I haven't made one yet,but I am a pipefitter.what about cutting a slot out of the plastic pipe all the way along its length. You'd have to use a dremel or an angle grinder.when you fit the pipe,turn the slot towards the back of the tank so it can't be seen.if you have to change the pump the cord can be pulled through the slot.As I say,I'm just thinking things over myself..

[@70grade37]

Where does the power cord for the pump go?? What did you do with that??

[@johnanderson1167]

Look at 1:16, you'll be able to see where the 1 1/4" PVC pipe has been foamed around in the corner . All you need to do is place the pump in the bottom of the terrarium and feed the cord up into the bottom of the pipe and out the top. Personally, I drop a length of string or floss down into the pipe from the top, tie it around the plug and just pull it up thru the pipe.

[@nycnyc9344]

what size tank is that?

[@JoshsFrogs]

36x18x18 inch Exo Terra Glass Terrarium

[@rattatatv9042]

Does the foam come with the tube-like thing to spray it?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

It sure does!

[@SawdustAndShavings]

Newbie question: Is a 2 inch or 3 inch pot better to use in the background?

[@johnanderson1167]

A 3" net pot would offer more space for the plants roots to get going leading to a healthier plant... Imho

[@robbitt]

Why in the world wouldn't you show the installation and placement of the pump, or even how the finished product works?

[@ve9867]

How many Litres per hour was that pump?

[@JoshsFrogs]

171 gallons / 647 liters per hour.

[@ve9867]

Do you know the brand and name of the pump?

[@JoshsFrogs]

Elemental H2o pump - we carry it on our website.

[@thechannelofrandomn]

Would this be appropriate for a gargoyle? He is currently in a planted tank but is being moved to an 18-18-24 tank. I was thinking a small water feature in the corner would be great for humiditylevels and to provide him some entertainment, as he loves to watch my fish tank filter

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Hey! Could you clarify which product you're referring to? Thank you very much!

[@thechannelofrandomn]

I’m just speaking about a water feature in general. I intend to follow this video closely, but put some rocks in the water reservoir so if he jumps in he could climb out

[@thechannelofrandomn]

Sorry for so many questions! How many Vivarium wall background kits would I need for an 18-18-24 exoterra?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Hey! A water feature would be fine for a gargoyle gecko! Not only is an aesthetic addition to the enclosure, but it would help keep up the ambient humidity in the enclosure. We offer background waterfall construction kits and background construction kits for common enclosure sizes--if you look in either category, you will find a kit specifically made for an 18x18x24 Exo Terra! Hope that helps! Feel free to email us at [e-mail] if you have any more questions! Thank you, Will Curator of Reptiles Josh's Frogs

[@slytherin0queen]

Would this be too much humidity for a ball python ?

[@JoshsFrogs]

The humidity wouldn't be an issue, but the water would take up space that the python could otherwise use. Plus they would trample the plants pretty quickly!

[@m3t4l.f4c3]

Where did you get the branches from please? 😊

[@funniguy3709]

I want to create this for my ball pythons enclosure but I'm not sure if it would be ok for him. My tank has a lot of vents so humidity isn't an issue.

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

I would recommend sticking to a water bowl, unless you have a very large enclosure. A waterfall will take away from valuable floor space, may cause substrate to get too damp (health problems), and can be difficult to clean.

[@funniguy3709]

joshsfrogsvideos thanks man

[@richardfuentes4204]

Wow, thats nice.

[@cHEEcH001]

Never seen anything like this awesome guys.... but how much for josh come and do it ? Lol

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Are you in Michigan by chance?

[@shrekwazowski1417]

hey what is the name of this tank and what are the dimmension

[@alexa-rw8vf]

derp cartoons it’s a 36x18x18 exoterra

[@keshanawilson4096]

I’m interested in making a tank like this for red eyed tree frogs? I was wondering how do you clean a tank like that?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Hello, You'd want to do a partial water change weekly, and clean the glass at least once a week. You may be able to avoid changing the substrate as long as you seed the tank with springtails, and it doesn't become waterlogged.

[@keshanawilson4096]

joshsfrogsvideos how often would I want to change the substrate if I decided not to put springtails in the enclosure?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Hey Keshana, Great Question! Bio-active tanks such as these are developed to simulate a mini ecosystem. Springtails play a vital role in this mini ecosystem. Springtails are a huge contributer to maintaining mold and helping to breakdown waste in the vivarium. Without springtails it is hard to know how long the substrate will last. I would guess that you would have to change it out several times a year. Each time causing the animals and plants stress. With a healthy population of springtails and proper care the substrate layering system in this video can last 2+ years. Thank you Thomas Curator of dart frogs

[@keshanawilson4096]

I was also wondering, I am making a tank for a red eyed tree frog and plan on using your kit to make the tank. I was wondering what type of lighting was recommended for the live plants

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Red Eyed tree frogs appreciate Low levels of UVB so any tropical UVB bulb will satisfy that. If you want to add LEDs to help with plant growth you definitely can but it is not necessary, the plants will still grow with the fluorescent UVB bulb.

[@noahwheeler6123]

Thank you

[@JoshsFrogs]

You are so very welcome Noah!! Have a super awesome day!!

[@cassidy7684]

would this be okay for a ball python or desert king snake?

[@JoshsFrogs]

We would not recommend for either of those. The ball pythons wouldn't utilize the water space and the desert kingsnake it would be far to humid for it.

[@kennynguyen7327]

what kind of foam were you using and was it safe for reptiles or small underwater species?

[@JoshsFrogs]

This is Josh's Frogs Pond Wall. It's completely safe for aquatic life, and is inert.

[@reptiles4u210]

What wood did you ise

[@JoshsFrogs]

Manzanita. It's available on our site.

[@brianmendoza1594]

Whats the song playing in the background?

[@JoshsFrogs]

Your guess is as good as ours! :)

[@jonathansanchez1913]

would this work for a chameleon?

[@JoshsFrogs]

It can be implemented in a glass chameleon enclosure, just be sure that the enclosure is provided with plenty of ventilation/airflow!

[@JB-ld6pe]

pretty decent, it's good to see these clear video's off the process, thanks a lot!!!

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

You're welcome!

[@sanddesert4072]

Would this be okay for a gecko to live in?

[@mindlessexotics5547]

SANDDESERT what gecko

[@JoshsFrogs]

That really depends on the species of gecko!

[@desisarod]

I would love a thorny devil : b

[@kreo45]

if nobody is gonna pitch a gecko, how about a crestie?

[@annablue8429]

The foam isn't toxic?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

It is vivarium safe!

[@parisgrant7509]

Can you add more water to add a pond effect

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

You can, as long as the water level does not reach the ABG substrate layer.

[@Wompskillet]

@@joshsfrogsvideos5594 How would you change the water? Just pump it out? Sorry for newb question.

[@josephp9930]

Can you type out a list of what plants you used in this build including the moss?

[@BogsMcknobs]

What is the brand of foam

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Hello, Tyler! If you're asking about the expanding foam, it's called "Great Stuff" and we have it available for sale on our website as part of the Vivarium Waterfall kit and also available as a standalone product! www.joshsfrogs.com/great-stuff-spray-foam-12-oz-for-sale.html

[@taylorbryant2093]

What are the dimensions for the tank you used here?

[@JoshsFrogs]

This is a 36x18x24 Exo Terra.

[@taylorbryant2093]

Josh's Frogs thanks for the response and great video. I plan on making something like this soon.

[@evolvejake9025]

Nice.

[@SpAM-nu5oy]

Is the black silicone toxic

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

This is vivarium/aquarium safe silicone, so after it's been given a few days to dry completely, it's safe for the inhabitants!

[@thomaspeltiersarasota61]

This music turned me into a hobbit.

[@JoshsFrogs]

Ummm, and that's a bad thing? LOL

[@reptiles4u210]

Use*

[@Cliffhanger_MFC]

I would pay you to make it for me. I don’t have that talent to make that.

[@dmanj2199]

I'm using tbis waterfall kit in a paludarium, do I NEED to make an overflow and sump? The tank I'm using is a 40 gal breeder and I'm going for an 8-10 inch deep water feature with some neon tetras

[@JoshsFrogs]

You do not, as long as you keep your water quality high enough for your fish. Tetras like it warm - white clouds may be a better option.

[@Branfaol1]

I was wondering would a set-up like that be ok with With a Crested Gecko? I do know in the wild the will sometimes come do to drink from ponds. I just wondering if a small water feature could also help with humidity.

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Yep, a waterfall feature can be used in a crested gecko setup! Just make sure that the pond isn't too deep for a younger crested gecko, and that something is provided so the gecko can climb out easily; live or fake plants trailing into the water work very well for that. A waterfall feature will certainly help raise the humidity in the enclosure.

[@Branfaol1]

@@joshsfrogsvideos5594 sweet thax, while one may not be in the first end enclosure good to know for future

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

No problem!

[@nvyfn2169]

Ooo what if there was like a legit little pond where the water went and you put fish in it or something, but you'd prbarbly need a bigger tank though to make it bigger g enough for an actual pond with fish and maybe put some ting else for the land or something, wait turtlesssss just neeed a giant giant tank though...

[@VanilleLibelle]

Why doesn't Austin say hi?

[@joshsfrogsvideos5594]

Hi -Austin

[@VanilleLibelle]

joshsfrogsvideos Lot better now ;D

[@mathiasweber4373]

This is not a waterfall...its more like tiny little drops falling down. Do u cry fire when someone lights up a lighter?

[@death2putin718]

You literally showed nothing of the finished product

[@rfrc6272]

LA BEAST mood music!

[@Alex-bj7ot]

Hi.

[@a-1886]

I'd pay to get this done to my tank

[@strawb3rry480]

No one is judgefull or rude in these coments.. im suprised.

[@a2zreptiles576]

Awesome instructional! We do similar work, feel free to check us out! We would really appreciate it!

[@sirsever3234]

So.. water features and frogs.. Generally a rookie mistake. Darts have drowning risk.. Having those pebbles are a liability as risk impaction esp if a tree frog jumps down to catch a cricket, and grabs a stone too, etc..

[@dawnb2892]

You need to learn how to not to slur your words , hard to understand everything your saying... also turn the music down.

[@SlimeDawgy]

get more toadssssss :( i went to your website in hopes of finding and buying an american toad