Insitu Ecosystems Amazonia Vivarium Complete Build Tutorial!!!

A Full How to build insitu amazonia vivarium tutorial for poison dart frogs, using multiple types of tropical aroids, orchids and vines. Troy Goldbergs Tropical Garage Channel covers, POISON DART FROG CARE, HOW TO BUILD CUSTOM BIOACTIVE VIVARIUM, PALUDARIUM, EUROSTYLE ,TERRARIUM, TROPICAL PLANTS, DIY, ANIMAL/REPTILE ROOM TOUR, BREEDING/EGG TADPOLE CARE DENDROBATES, OOPHAGA, HISTRIONICA, PUMILIO, SYLVATICA, LEHMANNI, TINCTORIUS, AZUREUS, LEUCOMELAS, AURATUS, CULTURING ISOPODS, SPRINGTAILS MICROFAUNA, BREEDING FRUITFLYS
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Insitu Amazonia Vivarium is from
Insituecosystems.com
Orchids or this tank are from
vivariumsinthemist.com
plants and leaf litter are from
glassboxtropiclas.com
wood is from
/ manzanitadude

[@pewpewcat7679]

Those flying foam bits are giving me a flashback I could go without 😂 Building is freaking awesome, I could do it everyday, but fuck cleanup.

[@defi_v]

Now that you have had the Amazonia for 4 months, can we get a follow up review: 1. How has your scape grown in? 2. How has the Vivarium performed? 3. Did you replace the doors like you alluded to in the first video? Did the company change the handles as you suggested (which I agree)? 4. I also agree with your comment about the doors rattling. Did the company take your feedback and fix? Better tolerances on the track or slightly thicker glass? Is there a fix? Really great videos!!!

[@kyleferber1519]

I really like the idea of the drill and wire brush on the foam. I can’t believe I’ve never thought of that. It’s so much faster and less tedious than cutting piece by piece. Great looking vivarium! Keep up the good work. Either style is good with me. Also thank you for labeling the plants. I find that better than just saying the names, it’s easier to look them up when you can spell the name lol.

[@Echo_123]

Yeah, it's true! But it's way messier😂😂

[@JohnDoe-dq7kn]

I like the new video style! You gonna do another full room update soon?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks!! Yes very soon!

[@TheDarkDen]

This is an awesome build, I'm taking notes :D BTW, what exactly is this Ugl Drylok that you use to cover the foam? I can't get it in Croatia so I need to search for similar product, maybe you know what people use in europe?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Hey thanks man!!! So the ugl drylok is a paint that’s a Basement waterproofer, or a masonry waterproofer. I’m not sure if there’s a similar product over there or not? I know that the Dutchrana frog guys in Europe use this stuff called elastopur, I believe it’s used in the same technique, maybe have a different finish or quality tho, but it looks very similar.

[@TheDarkDen]

@@TroyGoldberg Thanks, I'll check it out!

[@reefboy82]

You can also use boatepoxy with piglent in it.

[@jamesbryan1644]

This paint surely non toxic to frogs ?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yes

[@mattblake9936]

I can’t believe I have never pushed the excess air out. That is genius!

[@mattblake9936]

wanted to add onto this, i recently foamed a viv and did this, such..a...difference

[@dragonspirit1185]

I wouldn't want to push excess air out of the vivarium you want the air inside the vivarium to circulate you don't want to create an air Exchange in and pull out all your humidity

[@TroyGoldberg]

He’s taking about the air out of the foam

[@dragonspirit1185]

@@TroyGoldberg oh lol deep. Yeah I've been doing that for years along with using the blue can instead of red

[@BeingMarcKnox]

It's on brother! - This is all I needed to see. Another fantastic build. I am very impressed.

[@VinylUnboxings]

Your editing / cinematography is top notch

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks man!

[@the1killjoy657]

video was relaxing to watch, enjoyed it and the build looks great

[@fresnocascabel7571]

Nice plant selection.

[@12TRuss21]

Great style video! Any of them you do is great but I will say a chance of pace was nice also. Thanks for the plant names as well! That was nice to know the exacts for sure. Beautiful tank as always!

[@StrangeAlleyCat]

I personally like the voiceover better since I’m never looking at the videos 100%, im always doing something else at the same time. But it does help seeing the plant names written out.

[@GP2141BC]

Changing things up is cool.... I do like the names of the plants onscreen sometimes it’s hard to picture how a plant looks just from a picture on a website

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

such a cool looking enclosure man!

[@tjdoyle999]

I'm planning on buying the In Situ Amazonia and have a few questions about your build. I see that you added substrate directly over the sloped bottom. Now that you've owned this setup for awhile, would you recommend adding some drainage and separating the substrate with a layer of landscape fabric? Typically, you install some type of water feature but in this build you did not. Is that because the tank is too small or because it's just not needed to accomplish the look you were going for? Now that you've completed this build do you think that I can house 3 Phyllobates terribilis in this tank? Thanks for your help!

[@larrycung9131]

Can't wait to see it all full-grown in a year!

[@andypruit4179]

Now is the time

[@harlowcreek]

i like both your terrible voice and this style of videos. i just enjoy your videos no matter what really. this vivarium turned out fantastic. will you be putting any broms in there ?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Haha thanks!! I’m not sure about broms, I kinda wanted to do a bromeliad-less tank

[@kodavulpedrius6712]

God dammnit, you made me subscribe.

[@lavarlavar1245]

We love this version when doing tutorials the music is definitely a vibe👍🏾👍🏾

[@reefboy82]

This is such a beautiful result. Git a new sub over here. Im currently making my own now for the dendrobates azureusse

[@turtlegeckosailor]

Stunning build! :D

[@derandora3150]

nice ! great job dude ;-)

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks!!

[@mikes9714]

Awesome!

[@phoenixgym089]

Awesome! i like this type of video more. But what really got me was the somg starting at around 3:40. Whats the music type and/or somg called?

[@ingeniouspixie]

This is amazing. I plan on building a bioactive dart frog tank this year. Two questions; how many cans of spray foam did this take? I'm commitment-phobic, what if I put on all that foam and mess it up? How would I get it off to redo or do something else??

[@TroyGoldberg]

I think I used maybe 6-7 cans

[@TroyGoldberg]

It peels off pretty easily with razor blades

[@eRae16]

I watch these videos over and over, doesn't matter what style I love them all!!! I just finished planting my first tank using some of your methods (superglue gel) and I want to do another one already with your style of backgrounds!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thank you!

[@geofftaylor2248]

Hey if I don't have a drill/wire brush.. Understand the play is to use a knife. I don't mind the additional time it would take but can you still get the desired look and texture with a knife? I would have thought it would look more sharp / jagged vs. the rounded grooves you get with the brush/drill?

[@joshaking111]

Really enjoyed the video, really like the scape with all the kind of draping plants

[@geofftaylor2248]

Also curious on your drylok mix - is that just regular "white" drylok and you used the quikrite buff to colour it that brown colour? Then you added some quikrite charcoal?

[@beatap6250]

Like my friend 😊👍🙋‍♀️👋

[@geofftaylor3563]

Will the stuff you toothpicked actually root into the GS/drylok wall? Or does it need something else to adhere to

[@danielleb.7055]

Thanks for the video! It's always amazing to see what slice of the rainforest you choose to put into the enclosure.Also, why the heck ppl dislike wtf is wrong w people? Just do yourself a favor a go elsewhere and be miserable. Ha anywho have a great night.

[@snoeckieboy]

Great build ! Just a beginners question.. The plants that you stick on the wall with glue.. They don't need soil or sth to grow in? They just grow their roots on the foam or how does it work ?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Correct they’re epiphytic

[@Adam-pn5eg]

Hey, what do you mean by attached with gorilla glue?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Gorilla glue super glue gel, there’s a build video from end of April that demonstrates how to apply it with gorilla glue super glue gel

[@forthcs]

Enjoyed this video, thanks for changing it up! Do you find letting the air out, and pushing down the great foam background helps it adhere better long term? I have a few that have separated from the glass now, and it is quite frustrating especially when you have it fully planted with frogs.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Hard for me to say this early in the setup... it definitely feels like way more secure at this point in time. Not sure on the longevity though

[@forthcs]

@@TroyGoldberg I'm assuming the purpose of you doing it this way is to help avoid separation though? It's an interesting idea!

[@idontthinkaboutanything1043]

Looking good is it possible you could make a video on lids for like 20gal long tanks for dart frogs

[@TroyGoldberg]

Not possible because I don’t use, nor have 20 gallon long tanks

[@idontthinkaboutanything1043]

Troy Goldberg's Tropical Garage or just like a top video on how to make tops for vivariums?

[@mabatongbundokrockymountai5183]

how many gallons

[@yaarufureddo]

Super! Super! Super! What did you spray after applying foam?

[@joeywalker8297]

New subscriber! Been binge watching. Excited to see this build grown out

[@michaelmelo8075]

Great Job Troy !!! You got me inspired I ordered the Insitu Rio last week, since they had 10% off on all the components . Hoping this works out got sucked into the Biopod, hated it never even set it up. Love your videos and frog room, and your wire brush idea is genius. Keep up the great work!

[@clipzstar]

Hey Micheal by any chance would u like to sell me the charger for the biopod mine just burn out

[@michaelmelo8075]

@@clipzstar Sorry Bud, I sold the whole unit for $125 a while back

[@skycock]

No heat rock? Wow...

[@jessepien8023]

Looks like maybe an inch of abg. You usually go that thin? I might be being wasteful at 4 inches.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Usually not this thin, but I’m having no issues

[@lunytunez3634]

I never could find that subscribe button

[@GalacticPokeMaster]

how many coats of drylok did you use, just one?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yup just one

[@michaelheinrichs8577]

Great video. I really like the commentary below as you go. A creative segway. I see you foamed all the way up to the fans, which you installed first. I was hesistant to install the fans for fear of foam expanding into the fan. Retro-fitting was a bitch. No broms? Something aside from Oos going in this setup? Why ABG instead of foam throughout?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks! So doing the foam the way I did in this video, it was no problem going around the fans.. wanted a bromless tank, and no foam because these already have sloped bottom and no need for any sort of false bottom

[@hostronic]

YES!! Finally!! An aroid heavy tank! Been looking for a tutorial on one of these and can’t find one anywhere. Do you use an automatic misting system in this terrarium? If so, what duration and frequency do you have the misters set to? Currently in the process of designing my own build for some of my rare tropicals, some of which are terrarium begonias, anthurium, philos, monsteras, and jewel orchids and want to make it fully automated, but worried about overwatering with a misting system. As I’m sure you know aroids are notoriously picky about moisture levels and can be prone to root rot if their roots are allowed to sit in too much moisture for too long.

[@TroyGoldberg]

As long as the substrate can drain off, and isn’t ever water logged you should be fine, I use mistking, and I it goes off 8x per 24 hours for 15-30 seconds... depends on the time of year and humidity in the room.

[@giovannidonavan6564]

living breathing art sick setup man!

[@brettconlon5266]

what types of animals can you keep in tropical vivariums?

[@lunytunez3634]

What you use as substrate?

[@mokong4427]

Amazing video. I want to grow orchids. May I ask where in the US did you purchase those orchids? And also how long do you keep the fans on and how many times a day do they turn on? Or are they turned on all day. Thanks

[@TroyGoldberg]

Glassboxtropicals, and Vivariumsinthemist.... Fans on the insitu run all the time... the other tanks in my room don’t have fans inside the tank but there a box fan tuning in the room

[@mokong4427]

@@TroyGoldberg thank you so much

[@aussiejjdude3066]

I just stumbled across this vid and saw a P. verrucosum and clicked. I'm glad I did, the scape is amazing!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thank you, you should check out some more of My builds...

[@kyleferber1519]

Wait what, you push the air out? Does this make it so you do not have to silicone the glass before foaming?

[@TroyGoldberg]

No, should still silicone the edge

[@reigntwombly5230]

Just for us Newbs, can you tell me what misting system you are using for this tank???

[@TroyGoldberg]

I have a couple mistking advanced pumps running my room

[@dragonspirit1185]

I use the window and door one as well because it's more dense than the red can. Too many air pockets with the red can

[@maciejandrzejewski4949]

As always, great work, keep 'em coming.

[@FULLYLACED]

Hey Troy. I’ve tried the foam backgrounds before but the only problems I seem to have is that the foam seems to peel from the glass after sometime especially after warmer days. Any tips on how to prevent this from happening again ? I’ve tried cleaning the glass with alcohol but it’s doesnt seem to stop it from peeling from the glass in some locations.

[@TroyGoldberg]

My solution to that thay ive been doing recently is, after you’ve carved the foam, use silicone all along the edge where the foam meets the glass and smear the silicone on the foam and the glass (creating a seal if you will).

[@5rightturns3]

Your channel needs both types of videos. Did I miss what’s going in there? The

[@TroyGoldberg]

No clue as of right now

[@jaimealvarez7819]

Troy with the awesome builds yet again...great video. How long do you wait for one side of the foam to dry to move onto the others in a three sided tank

[@TroyGoldberg]

Well with the method I used in the video... once all the air is pushed out... you can turn the tank on a different side and foam another wall...

[@clementherp5289]

Hello, I'm a french terrariophile and i would like build a dart frogs terrarium. What is the different methods who are use to build a background terrarium? I would like word with expending foam but i don't know what to put on it, silicone, mortar ? Thank you very much and you are a doing wonderful job.

[@MermaidGunner]

You’re the only person so far that I’ve seen who puts a layer of foam down first and then adds the hard scape. I’m doing this for snails and can’t use the cement, so I am using black aquarium silicone to seal it instead. I’d be afraid their little mouth plates will rasp the cement off and they will get into the foam.

[@andypruit4179]

Update video?

[@douglaspeel2670]

voiceover is easier to follow.

[@fishysnowman9082]

Awesome. Great job 👍

[@HOBIKOSEM]

👍👍👍👍

[@AlderaanBoy]

Beautiful design! I am surprised that the Gorilla Gel doesn't harm the plants- never thought of using it in that capacity.

[@12ibsen]

I have a question since I have been in the hobby for a year and a half. The background with the foam tends to peel off after the year

[@TroyGoldberg]

I address that in one of my videos.... best way I’ve fixed that issue is to put a beat of silicone where the foam meets the glass on the edge and smooth it out making a barrier so to speak

[@billsvideos8846]

@@TroyGoldberg Troy - have you ever tried sanding the glass to scuff the surface before applying the foam?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Bill's Videos no...

[@AntonioGarcia-qz9ip]

Man this is amazing 👏👏👏👏👏

[@davidcrookes3483]

Stunning, brilliant. 👍🏻

[@manu-oe5oc]

Very nice

[@alexandergrandagonzalez5948]

Te veo desde Cuba. Lastima que no esté traducido al español para aprender más. Y lo que más me gusta es las plantas que pones en los terrarios. Y que pones los nombres de las plantas para aprender más. Muchas gracias por eso.

[@TheRobstathalobsta]

Can geckos stick to this background better than coco? This could be the new wave

[@JayeVee]

What type of water do you use for your plants, moss, and frogs because I heard distilled water can be harmful to your frogs and distilled water is good for moss I'm lost and how do you prevent moss from having mold in a close closure

[@TroyGoldberg]

Ro

[@Carrion0313]

What are your thoughts on this vivarium now at almost a year in?

[@TroyGoldberg]

I’ve had zero issues with it, very nice product

[@Carrion0313]

Thanks for the reply!

[@raven5144]

What in your opinion is the best terrestrial dart frog for a beginner?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Dendrobates leucomelas

[@raven5144]

@@TroyGoldberg Thank you so very much!!

[@PaulsKoipond]

superb build mate, but can i ask how many cans of foam you used

[@TroyGoldberg]

I think 5 cans

[@DyslexicYoda]

Any updates?

[@javiendavis2063]

I do love animal and plant life so a vivarium would do

[@treygodbolt7703]

I noticed you don't, but what are your thoughts on applying a layer of black silicone to the glass and then adding the foam for aesthetics?

[@TroyGoldberg]

I usually use Matt black vinyl wrap on the outside on the glass to hide the foam

[@brucehughes6696]

What specie of frog are you going to be putting in here

[@gungbojog6030]

What paint was it? And how durable is it?

[@kkeets84]

do you rinse the drylock surfaces with water? I have heard there is a chemical in the dry lock that will make leaves brown.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yes I rinse it really well

[@taalbergable]

Where did you get the various plants for this build? GBT doesn't have but one or 2.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Some of the paints are from vivariums in the mist

[@toadpope2522]

Great tutorial! I love all those macgravias Really nice!

[@theironroad5502]

Why the hell does this guy only have 21k followers?? Subbed.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks man!! Much appreciated!

[@Steemoney]

You dont need the drainage layer and all that jazz? Like to drain the water out or whatever?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Correct

[@SolomonKane71]

Does that trick with the Great Stuff work with the black pond version as well?

[@TroyGoldberg]

It should

[@harrytruax5195]

Hi love the build. You used super glue to attach some plants and tooth picks for others - does the type of attachment depend on the type of plant? Like would the glue kill the plant? Thanks.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Does not kill the plant, obviously or I wouldn’t use it...

[@TroyGoldberg]

Light weight plants that can be attatched to pieces of wood or background that would normally be difficult to attatch, super glue gel works really well

[@Shootieetv]

Bro what’s that beat at the end lol

[@GP2141BC]

I prefer the voice over also

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yeah I know this style won’t appease everyone, but then again no video is ever going to appease everyone, i just wanted to switch it up, plus I hate the sound of my voice

[@robertfaber6796]

Troy Goldberg's Tropical Garage; Don’t be so hard on yourself. There is a good, authentic quality to your voice.

[@earthtamerronan6352]

Wow, this is amazing. I've never herd of most of the techniques you used in this vivarium and as you can tell, I'm quite impressed with the results XD. Keep inventing and good luck with your projects :).

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thank you!

[@jcreyes1830]

Your video game me some food ideas

[@manuninhibited4592]

Does your drainage basin slope forward? I noticed your "false bottom" is only at the front of the tank.

[@TroyGoldberg]

No but my tanks are drilled for drainage

[@manuninhibited4592]

@@TroyGoldberg gotcha! I have been watching your DIY videos learning to build a viv of my own. I have a glass front cabinet I am converting. Thanks for the reply

[@samtoney2904]

How do the plants on the wall grow if they arent rooted into anything?

[@TroyGoldberg]

They send out new roots

[@reeefy]

both styles of videos are great

[@johnschweiger1079]

Awesome set up thanks for the inspiration just one question how did you stick the moss to the branches

[@TroyGoldberg]

In this particular tank I just laid it down on the wood, won’t be introducing animals to it for a while so don’t need to worry about them falling off... but u could use a tiny bit of super glue gel, or wire, or fishing line if you needed them to be anchored down in a tank that’s going to have animals introduced soon

[@MrChonk1]

voice over is much better.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks for the feedback, while I disagree, I understand why many people would not like this style. Can’t please everyone, am I Right?? Lol

[@anthonyslater1151]

id love to know how to do the paint

[@larsmuscis100]

Why do I want to eat that foam when it is freshly sprayed on 😅

[@TroyGoldberg]

I’m not sure hahahah

[@samanthamotley712]

Ew god the whispering sounds at the beginning feels like someone is taking a wire brush to my ears. WHYYY!?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Mmmmm wire brush sounds pretty good

[@TroyGoldberg]

You think that’s bad, you should hear my regular voice.... it’s even worse

[@samanthamotley712]

@@TroyGoldberg Your normal voice is fine lol and intelligible! ASMR sounds to my hearing impaired ears (without captions) just sound like someone is sandpapering aluminum.

[@pokerstar81]

Great build im building my first dart frog incloser soon waiting on the first parts to show up. What type of lights you use

[@TroyGoldberg]

I use LED shoplights from amazon

[@pokerstar81]

Ok cool so doesn't take much. Do you have a video of yours that shows your equipment. That you use in your builds