Asian-Themed Tank?

[BeTheChange]

What do you guys think? I've seen a few tanks around here that also have an asian "theme" to it but not many. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?

I am getting my beardie this Friday (September 16th)! My boyfriend really wants to name him Reptar, but I was thinking about Mushu.. From the little dragon in Mulan!

Today I went out and got some decor for a tank that I am gonna get ready for him. He comes with a complete setup, but I am looking around for a 55 gallon aquarium that I can have ready for him when he grows out of his old one..

I found a Buddha statue at Ross for $7, I was thinking about maybe sanding it and making it look more antique then putting some climbing vines and leaves draped around it to make it look like a ruin, yet make it functional at the same time. He is about 9 inches tall, including his hands.

I get some mini bonsai tree off of craigslist for $3.

I also stole one of my mom's bamboo placemats and I want to use it as a background in the tank!

I also got some lighter bamboo items.. But I am not sure if I am going to use them. I got two bundles of bamboo from the dollar store. And I got a grass critter mat from Petco for $6. Do you think that I could stain them darker colors?

I am going to tile his tank and built a fake rock wall/ramp/basking spot that will run the length of the tank. I want the overall aquarium to be shades of gray, black, and red. With green foliage!

What colored tiles should I get and what size? If you have any more suggestions, tips, or ideas please feel free to post them! THANKS!

 

[midmichicer]

Sounds good, but I wouldn't stain anything. The fumes can cause problems.

 

[BeTheChange]

Sounds good, but I wouldn't stain anything. The fumes can cause problems.

Is there anyway to safely color them? It's not a huge deal. But I was just wondering

 

[Jess]

You can use acrylic paint or even spray paint, and seal it with Mod Podge.

 

[BeTheChange]

You can use acrylic paint or even spray paint, and seal it with Mod Podge.

Thank you!!!!

 

[midmichicer]

Let it dry a few days after though.

 

[BeTheChange]

Let it dry a few days after though.

I won't be changing his tank for awhile.. No worries

 

[Gail]

You can soak the bamboo in really strong tea overnight to stain it darker, just make sure its good and dry before putting it in the tank.

 

[BeTheChange]

You can soak the bamboo in really strong tea overnight to stain it darker, just make sure its good and dry before putting it in the tank.

Wow! GREAT idea.. Thank you

 

[TeethandClaws]

make it asian tea. then the tank will truly have an asian feel. if it was me, id be tempted to put a large crossed legged meditating buddah statue in the middle, with the uvb tube directly above, so mushu/reptar can bask/lie/sleep/beardie things in buddahs lap XD

you could try and make a pagoda cricket feeder? that would be super duper cool. no idea how you would do it. although styrofoam is pretty usefull

show pics of your tank when its done please :3

 

[EmilyRussom]

First of all, PICS ASAP!

Second, look up natural dyes. The tea is a fabulous method, but there are TONS of things you could soak the bamboo in and dye it. Just methods out the wazoo! And they're all safe to boot Just things like fruits or veggies!!

Have fun!

 

[BeTheChange]

make it asian tea. then the tank will truly have an asian feel. if it was me, id be tempted to put a large crossed legged meditating buddah statue in the middle, with the uvb tube directly above, so mushu/reptar can bask/lie/sleep/beardie things in buddahs lap XD

you could try and make a pagoda cricket feeder? that would be super duper cool. no idea how you would do it. although styrofoam is pretty usefull

show pics of your tank when its done please :3

I promise to post pictures once I finish I am picking up my larger tank and my beardie on Friday.. I am soooooo excited! I might go to Ross again, cause I swear they always have Buddha statues. I was thinking about making something asian-ish with the styrofoam.. But this will be my first time making one and I don't think that I should get that fancy just yet, lol.

 

[trinity040400]

Ahh someone after my own heart!! :mrgreen: Here are some pics of my tank.

What I did is go on google translater and found her name in japanees and wrote it on the outside of here tank with paint.

Most of the decor is on the outside, the flowers and the bambo, so I dont have to worry about them getting dirty or them hurting her. I got a poster off amazon for about $4 and cut it to size for the background, I used Van goghs' Almond Blossoms painting.

Of course after all this we found out that Tohru was a bay not a girl like we thought. :roll:

 

[applesaging]

i love your japanese theme the sakura are really pretty, like your avatar ;D

 

[BeTheChange]

WOW! That looks awesome.. Thanks for sharing