How to Build A Custom DIY Vivarium Background Like a PRO!

How to Build A Custom DIY Vivarium Background Like a PRO!
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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[@paesanng]

This sort of art should be offered in high schools and universities.

[@jukesngambits]

I am SO glad I watched this before ever creating a vivarium - foam as the main substrate and drainage is a brilliant idea even if you wanted some loose substrate on top for whatever reason. This kind of design seems ideal for "sterility", ease of access, and frog safety while still keeping everything beautiful about vivariums. Amazing video, thank you

[@alexanderbrown5425]

The music overlay while you were painting the drylok reminded me of the soundtrack for a Tarzan game that I played on the Nintendo 64.

[@minicosm4695]

Incredible hardscape. Can't wait to see what this looks like with plants!

[@KS-en5fb]

This was literally one of the coolest backgrounds I have seen so far. The drylock looked awesome on top of foam. I can’t wait to see part 2!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks... I planted it today... but I’m not gonna post video til it’s grown in a bit!

[@TFitz-gh4si]

@@TroyGoldberg Does the plants get stuck straight in the background and into the dry lock around the wood? Or is substrate added on top of the black flooring foam you used?

[@TroyGoldberg]

@@TFitz-gh4si they pretty much grow everywhere

[@fresnocascabel7571]

Awesome build. Thanks for putting together a video. I appreciate you taking time out of your day to help the rest of us in the poison frog community.

[@mikelingenfelter3889]

Wow! This is amazing... I'll be excited to see the final on this and all the foliage. Awesome video!

[@sea78x]

Wow, that carving method is so much easier than carving with knife + you’d have mess whichever way you do it.... nice job 👍🏽

[@bssknox1]

Nicely done. Can’t wait to see them both planted!

[@MarcusRichardsonRacing]

Could you maybe link the materials used in your bio from amazon or something like that?

[@jonisolis9645]

Yes, please!

[@Reptiliatus]

Awesome video Troy! I’ve been wanting to give dry lock a try for my next build!

[@AnotherWorldTerraria]

I forgot to mention the foam filter bottom portion. I loved the idea of stacking and carving layers to create a 3D scape. Epic idea. And yea, foam, rocks, etc are way better for a bottom layer than substrate.

[@AnotherWorldTerraria]

Thank you for sharing your techniques. I learned a lot of helpful info and tips. The silicone seal from foam to glass is a great idea that I've never heard before. I will give that a shot for a future project. And the clear but detailed drylok / quikrete portion of the tutorial was exactly what I needed for a project I'm working on. I've been putting off trying the drylok technique for a while now because I thought it would be complicated or a big hassle, but you made it seem simple, and now I know exactly what to do. The background and scape in this video look awesome. Great work!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks so much man!!

[@IsaacMJr]

Oh man, your work is amazing, I own a lot of reptiles and soon I’ll be making them more natural looking terrariums, you just gave me the best ideas, best video ever. Keep it up

[@aquru]

Beautiful vivarium! Thank you for healing

[@illumlife588]

TROY!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! I am a brand new subscriber here!!!! My jaw was open the whole video, not even joking lol! I too have an artistic background. If I had not lost half of my vision I would have continued down that road. My pets are snakes, hopefully down the road I can get some geckos and frogs!!! This video and vivarium background were by far the best here on YT...I especailly LOVED watching you paint and place in your background:) I am grinning from ear to ear hahaha! I have been searching on here trying to place ideas in my head for the "perfect" background in my first ever bioactive terrarium I am putting together for one of my ball pythons...(going to do it for all but money does not grow on trees lol) One word I want to leave for you STUNNING!!! this is the work of someone who takes their time and who knows what they are doing! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us!! Emily

[@TroyGoldberg]

Awesome! I’m glad your enjoying the channel, thanks so much for the kind words!!

[@RobsReviv]

Another great video man. Ty for your contributions to the hobby.

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

I'm gonna shake off the remaining turds that are gonna flop outa here. Boy, Troy sure has a way with words 😂

[@beaurapier967]

Nice work. I like the pace and composition of your videos. Great tip on siliconing the junction of foam and glass. Definitely going to adopt that technique!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thank you!! yeah I’ve only been doing that for about a year now, and so far so good, no background edges have come up off the glass. Knock on wood!

[@michaelmelo8075]

Great job Troy, very detailed instructions and an awesome build !

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks man!

[@leafwitheyes2473]

I like how he goes into so much detail, down to what gloves he uses!!!

[@carlosortiz2129]

I learned so much and will be using all your methods! You made it look so easy!

[@nitraflo000]

Thanks Troy for this vid! 👍🤗

[@Kira-kg4kl]

I keep coming back and watching this and a few other videos everytime I do a build 😅 always keeps me watching everytime

[@michaelroche1987]

Great job man. Thanks for the tips

[@joeyp734]

damn. pretty awesome. you've educated and inspired me to take my vivs to the next level!

[@petermller7231]

TROY great work man

[@arshenfashoom7139]

oh wow, you placed that drift wood in spectacular manner. love the tank build video

[@steveferris8119]

Uugghh. I guess I am starting another tank this Friday. Thanks Troy!!!!!!

[@Agg1E91]

Necessity is the mother of invention. I love the wire wheel hack! I am in the process of doing my first naturalistic/bio-active build on a 22wX17dX36H enclosure. I've seen the hand carved approaches, and the references to hours of carving. I'm probably not that patient. I think what I might do is add a little more foam up front, so that I can get some more depth to the cutaways and then maybe hand carve areas I want to bring a specific shape to. I think what I'll do then is to carve out branch/hardscape notches as needed, fit the branches in and then spot foam them in place.

[@martinmikota2740]

That looks really good!

[@davidjones7503]

Honestly, I'm impressed. Nice work.

[@ChloroPhiles]

Fabulous video, thank you. Answered a lot of my questions!

[@fishysnowman9082]

Really nice job 👍.... very well explained came out amazing

[@kelvinsoto8313]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge great enclosure thank you

[@AntsCanada]

Just watched several of your videos! Awesome terrarium builds! Your channel is going to be huge soon! Subscribed! PS - I've always wanted to get into dart frogs but I hear they don't do too well in my hot climate. I'm on a frog flex atm. I have microhylid frogs and a Surinam horned frog. Does the urine from frogs cause the moss to develop algae?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Hahaha Hey Thanks man!, yeah typically they don’t like it when the enclosure goes above 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit on the ground area... that’s a good question about the urine, but I have no clue lol! Thanks for the sub! I love your channel!

[@AntsCanada]

@@TroyGoldberg Thank you! So the moss in your frog tanks don't mold or grow algae?

[@TroyGoldberg]

AntsCanada not usually, but some of my vivs have bubble algae... not exactly sure where that came from... I’ve seen slime mold as well

[@AntsCanada]

@@TroyGoldberg ah ok noted. Same with some of my terrariums containing frogs. Thanks for the info. I will continue to follow your channel!

[@TroyGoldberg]

AntsCanada thanks man I really appreciate it!

[@Prim3Tim33Gaming]

wish we had drylok over here in the uk -_- good job troy cant wait to see how the sponge does hope it does well :)

[@JoshHind]

Would you be able to scrape the foam off the glass if you wanted to change it later

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yes

[@kashaun3633]

Genius idea

[@chad110]

I lay silicone lines down on my glass and put popsicle sticks on them and let it dry and cure and then put little droplets of silicone everywhere. Once dried Ivan lay down pond and stone foam. Once it's done cured i cut it. I shape it and then I lay a construction silicone around the edges and smeared in real good. Both on the foam and glass holds it really well. Note to everybody paintable silicone or construction adhesive is easier to work with.

[@Gothicgirl1122x]

Great video learned some great stuff thank you

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks!!

[@davidbrown-55]

Another great video! These are the vids I like to watch. Can you post the the glass dimensions to build this tank? What brand lights and fixtures do you use? Thanks and keep showing vids like this. Best there is!

[@user-ot6lq7uo2d]

Mechanics gloves work very well (even for folks with long/sharp nails)

[@naturesADHD]

29:00 nice track!! nice video s much patience! i am bulding my first one.. such a mess!! i am wating for the silicone to dry up RN.. wish me luck!

[@jonpiotrowski3506]

Just found your video looking to make my own...To avoid clogging your vac,rubber band about 3-4 sheets of paper towels around the vac filter...shake out or discard and reapply when it clogs...(vac filters are SO expensive) Great looking backgrounds...Thanx.!!!

[@chrisandersen4024]

love the look of it simply amazing. may I ask why y added the screen stuff and not just went full great stuff foam.? keep up the great content :)

[@Pr0j3ctSTI]

Auto body shop tip: use 1200 wet sand paper to take anything off your hands 🙌🏽. Body filler is very hard to take off. Sand paper always worked for me 👍🏽👍🏽

[@thehollowdavid]

Subbed because @animals at home recommended you...and because in your public playlist, you have one of the best Eric Andre skits.

[@Aaron48219]

I am envious of that man cave.

[@aqua_zp]

Хорошая работа!

[@agentelvis81]

I work on a lot of cars and bikes, practically live in the garage covered in all sorts of adhesives and chemicals and nasty stuff, but I've got to say "Great Stuff" spray foam is hands down the worst thing I've gotten on my hands lol! I just let it dry and use an emery board on it while I watch TV later on which is pretty relaxing, haha. This is a good video, man, thanks. You're easy to follow with a good pace and a way of explaining things that laymen can understand. The brush on the drill is a good tip. It's tedious using a knife and that brush gives a pretty cool, "natural" texture. I did want to ask if you've tried any false-bottom vivariums in that garage during the dry winter months? They're easy and cheap, I think it might be worth running one as a test to see if it helps keeps the humidity up. Of course you'd probably be pouring in water to refill the bottoms occasionally, but it might be a decent and mostly-passive way to keep the moisture up in the tanks, especially any that have overhead lights. I've been doing them in any vivs that need over 60% humidity or so, they really help any live plants flourish, as well as temperate or tropical "clean up crew" bugs like springtails.

[@DicVein]

hey Troy the about that foam "Substrate" did you silicone/glue to to the bottom of the tank or just the second step?

[@debbiedeneese]

Amazing, glad I saw this before starting my first build. Am I correct in noticing you coated ALL exposed surfaces with the DryLok? The foam substrate is a brilliant and very controllable/malleable product. Can't wait to see more!

[@Expeditionwildside]

👌 very nice 👍

[@charlesblack2523]

Very Nice 👍

[@kentmcnab526]

This is a great video also, very informative. I also wanted to add that all of your videos are the best I've seen by far, keep up the great job you are doing. I just wanted to ask a question: How long do you wait before planting the vivarium?

[@TroyGoldberg]

With this particular method you can pretty much plant the tank 24hours after the gorilla glue has dried.

[@phillepebrooks8117]

Well done

[@scottclouser2369]

Awesome video, very informative. Looking to get into the hobby after years of saltwater corals. You had mentioned you trek to Pittsburgh. Are there any shops that have good frog selections locally?

[@timothyerjavec7272]

Hey Troy, Now that the tank is established, do you think the 1” vents and 4” substrate dam is a better design?

[@funkyleg9389]

Hey i wonder if the "filter mat moss method" worked out :)? Super informative video! Will definetly build a wall like this !

[@Tijlliekens]

You are European! This build defenitly proofs it! Great job man, tank looks awesome. I have a very similar setup for my O.Histrionica and they realy like the long branches to walk on.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks! Means a lot coming from you!

[@Tijlliekens]

@@TroyGoldberg Don't know why but thanks :D

[@cwillphine]

this is so cool and stable! how would you clean a tank like this?

[@sdqsdq6274]

nice dude , better audio, better lighting , funny i will be starting mine vivarium soon, i order the same filter foam, using as a back wall , damn didnt think i can use it as a base as well , now i must order more , btw what size you using , looks like large

[@SamDunlap-oc5wp]

Dude you look like you could be Jim from the office brother...John Krasinski and you make the same facial expressions

[@cassalamon]

Hes back!

[@craigsmart1986]

Dude that wire brush drill is so much easier than using a knife

[@TroyGoldberg]

yeah saves a ton of time! but makes a huge mess LOL!

[@raygilbers8274]

Hi Troy thanks for your awesome vid's I love to watch them. I've read that using this type of foam could push out the sides of the viv? I'm planning to do the same method as you apply here but I'm affraid later the glass is pushed out. Whats your thought about this. Thanks a lot and keep up the good work.

[@daves2354]

If anything it's providing strength holding the tank together. When the foam begins to expand, it doesn't have the strength to push on anything because it's just goo. Once it is finished expanding and begins to cure, it doesn't expand anymore so it will essentially just become part of the wall. At least I wouldn't try to remove it unless you placed a layer of plastic drop cloth or something similar between the terrarium and your foam for the purpose of removing it

[@RicoLyco]

What is the pur you used for the background and attaching the wood? I am afraid when I do that it will kill the frogs due to the toxicity

[@joshsmith7170]

I'm going to be attaching wood inside my pvc cages, is that mesh a necessity or did you use it because your building on glass?

[@ryanjackson587]

Hey man, so im building a vivarium for my chameleon right now, and this has been my first experience using drylok. I put the first layer of drylok on last night, its been about 12 hrs, and the drylok has been really good on the polystyrene foam, but the greatstuff seems to be just holding on to it like a wet sponge and isn't drying in some places. Will it dry with more time, and also, with it gain more rigidity as it dries and i apply more coats to it? Right now, im scared to add more coats of drylok as i dont know what its going to do.

[@iratevagabond204]

I'm a cabinet and furniture maker by trade; I use my carving tools (knives/gouges), chisels, and scrapers to carve my foam. I also use the green craft/floral foam adhered to the glass for most of my background - use the expanding foam as filler or as terrain variation. Also use different Homax wall/ceiling texture spray for different terrain textures.

[@thesucculentcity]

How do you get it to adhere to the glass?

[@iratevagabond204]

@@thesucculentcity The cheap GE Silicone Adhesive from Walmart.

[@jkruse1151]

how strong is the form for holding branches in place or weight before breaking.

[@pauld.3332]

Oh, I know what I have to try. I have a spare tank where I was uncertain what to do with it 🙂 Are you using some kind of pet save landscape foam or how come you didn't dry lock the foam underneath the hygrolon?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Paul D. It’s not necessary to drylok the foam. And I’m using this filter foam stuff, so yes it’s animal safe

[@athiker04]

Nice. How much plant growth do you end up getting on the Dryloc portions of the background? Thanks.

[@TroyGoldberg]

A lot.... plants have no trouble rooting or climbing it

[@Biolo-G_KJ]

Nono not bioactive enough man hahaha. Jk, looks amazing man😄

[@hayshialopez2834]

Can you give me the glass measurements for your new dimensions of the vents? How big is this tank?

[@JesseJamesccc]

Hey Troy, I'm curious to know if you use that filter foam for all of your builds now, is the foam you used in the link below or do you prefer a different brand/material?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yes I do

[@tylerisaac13]

Hey @troygoldberg, really phenomenal work! Curious if you've had any issues with the great stuff getting waterlogged over time? I noticed it wasn't dryloked beneath the hygrolon, does the gorilla glue partly seal it off from moisture?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Nah never had an issue like that

[@cody2097]

Hey I was wondering, if you can remember, how long did you let your foam sit before hitting it with the drill? I foamed mine yesterday and a mess is an understatement! My drill and myself covered in this lol even though it's cured it's stuck to everything

[@gtamantube]

So why did you put the sheeting over the carved background foam? instead of just drylocking over it as well. Sweet tank, thanks

[@xmanu100]

brother can the powder foam be used to make anything useful by adding anything to make sure there is no wastage.. like if you mix it up with clear silicone mabe u can make like a rock or another shape required for the terrarium

[@TCSDartFrogs]

How many times did you clog that shop vac LOL, great video as always! I'm gonna have to try this next time I build a big display tank.

[@TroyGoldberg]

4-5 times Hahahah it was a serious mess

[@TCSDartFrogs]

@@TroyGoldberg Yeah it looked like it, I bet once it goes static it just starts flying around sticks to everything

[@TroyGoldberg]

TCS Dart Frogs yuuuuuup

[@jdeflip]

Can anyone explain the pros of the drylok method over silicon and coco coir? I’m trying to decide for my first viv!

[@Liyah512]

With the filter pad, is this ok to use if planning to house dart frogs, isopods and spring tails?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yes

[@botaniker6644]

This looks awesome. But I have a question: doesn't the Hygrolon lead water behind the foam of the driftwood? I am planning a tank right now and I'm not sure if water behind the foam won't degrade the root's stability over time?

[@TroyGoldberg]

No

[@donemerson9952]

Great video, thanks! Can you please clarify the names of the products you used for the background, sounds like Hydrolawn & Drylock. Where can they be purchased and what are the pros & cons. Many thanks!

[@lifeofpicaso]

How long do you wait before you put frogs in there?

[@allencummings6285]

Troy. Seeing that im unable to acquire a 36x18x36 locally is there anyway possible to get the glass demotions on these?

[@MortenRoskildeRasmus]

Can we see how you plant it also Keep up the work Morten from denmark

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yes I plan on doing a part 2 to the video

[@AOA9871]

Very helpful video man! I’m just wondering, I’m going to be building a vivarium in a couple months and one of the features is going to be a cave right against the glass. The main structure will most likely be made like these backgrounds, but how would I make the foam against the glass look like the background and not...foam? Also, where did you get the supplies to make these awesome backgrounds?

[@jendubay3782]

The foam can peel off the glass easily if you want. Paint it and return it to the original position, with glue

[@rexplorer.official]

Hi, not sure if I missed you mention where you got that tank in the video, but where did you get that tank? it looks really nice.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Made it myself

[@juaninestroza4200]

Do I need to add hydro lawn? If I don’t add fry lock will the foam be damaged by water

[@jatteste5107]

Hi, I'm a fan of your collection and especially the assembly of your terrariums! You inspire me a lot, keep it up! Can you tell me what is the name of the black fabric that you use as the background of your terrariums? Thank you so much ..

[@derandora3150]

Thanks Troy for sharing all this stuff! Really great build. Does anyone know a drylok replacement that i can buy in germany?

[@hanneseinberger6862]

2kpu Kleber bei Bens Jungle

[@sdqsdq6274]

drylok is the brand , something similar to what he is using should be the same

[@roosje2069]

i was wondering if the foam on the backdrop is necessary if ur gonna add the mesh over top? i just bought a brand new terrarium and im planning to make the background full of plants and moss

[@TroyGoldberg]

Gotta just find what works best for you… tinker

[@PinkTropical]

Great build! Really well done. You don't use a resin to cover spray foam? Is it waterproof? Thanks

[@TroyGoldberg]

Nope never have.... not sure if it’s waterproof or not...

[@TroyGoldberg]

But drylok is a waterproofed used for masonry... so I guess in theory after drylok is applied it makes the foam waterproof

[@PinkTropical]

@@TroyGoldberg Ok ! But you don't use Drylok on the sides/back panels, just gorilla glue and hygrolon. I think the foam is waterproof, when you go on their website it say "repel water". It's seem to been working great for you anyway :)

[@TheIcekingkiller]

Hey how u said u put silicone around the edges of your foam to help keep it stuck to the glass is it to late to do that after I’ve already foamed the tank

[@TroyGoldberg]

No it’s not to late... that’s always when I do it.... after it’s foamed

[@TroyGoldberg]

I also usually add some sort of substrate mix to the silicone to cover it up... just vacuumed the excess off after it’s cured

[@lepdeon9750]

how is the jungle music at the end called?(for example at 30:00)

[@albertomas9688]

Hello, thank you very much for your videos. They are really great. I would like to know the name of the textile material you use to cover the foam walls. I want to prepare an exoterra terrarium of 90x45x90 in paludarium mode.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Hygrolon

[@cameronjohnson3736]

Where did you get the hydra lawn. I google it and all kind of thing come up. Is it simply weed barrier mesh ?