Ok so here is the full list of stuff I've bought thus far for the exoterra build, and i'll try and link some of the remaining stuff I need to get. I'll try and put an explanation next to each product. The only reason I did all of this on Amazon is due to the plague thats going around, if you have a local hobbyist or mom and pop shop you can purchase stuff from I very strongly encourage you to do so!
1- Egg crate/light diffuser x3 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078Q2N1BC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 unfortunatly I had a hard time finding this material at an affordable price on amazon so I settled with this. The sheets are small so I had to buy 3 sets!
2- Slate for waterfall https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C9VP3MM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I got the five Ib pack of this, it was just barely enough for my waterfall feature.
3- Great stuff expanding foam https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AQ0FVC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This was also for the waterfall feature, works absolutely fantastic! Once it starts to harden it holds my slate in place making a natural looking piece.
4- Aquarium safe silicone https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ASD2K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 lots of functions for this, can be used to seal your background, adhere the background to the aquarium wall, secure decor etc.
5-water pump https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076V6J44D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 pump for the waterfall, I haven't tested it yet but will report on my results when i do.
6- Zip ties https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078NT5F2B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 These are for securing the eggcrate together and securing the mesh to the false bottom and waterfall.
7- Clear casting epoxy resin https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BM9LHRB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 this is what I will seal the waterfall and background with once the foam putty and painting is completely finished.
8-Window screen mesh https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083NPV66H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This is a barrier to keep detritus and critters from going under your false bottom, you can add an additional layer of it to help keep dirt from going through into the water or use fabric weed barrier.
9-Foam sheets https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8A9188/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I initially planned on carving the entire waterfall fixture and background from this material but changed gears when I saw someone use the great-stuff foam and slate method. I still plan on using this for the background portion. Keep in mind this comes with a ton of foam. Like holy crap I should have read the dimensions better, I could make a background for all my tanks and have some left over!
10-Foam putty https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006NARV8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s04?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This is a plaster like material that i'll use to smooth over unnatural crevices and bubbles in the foam background and waterfall, then it'll be painted.
11-hydroballs https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-HydroBalls-Lightweight-Terrarium/dp/B00167TXY0/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=hydroballs&qid=1586826444&sr=8-1 this will go beneath the false bottom for biological filtration
Not sure if something like this would work for you or not
So I wanna start off by saying thanks you are one of most helpful people I have found on Reddit Period.
Tub: So For the Tub almost all of the light is reflected off of it but in the future, I may either wrap it with wrapping paper I have leftover or paint it black
Pumps: So I most likely will get the pump that I have in the list because it is on sale and I will wait to buy some Air Tubbing and Air stones later.
Cups: I tried what you said about the yogurt and the kind we get from the grocery store are just so breakable any time I try to do anything with them they just crack and for the 9 dollar price they ( Net Cups) are I think I will just buy them because of the hassle of the yogurt cups.
Medium: Dude I didn't even know these things existed, I am gonna buy them from amazon because there is a shipping fee for getting it to my house using Petco. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00167TXY0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 Edit: So I have a question about this will it allow me to drop in a seed in it and let it just grow or will I have to have it start growing somewhere else and then transplant?
Nutrients: I look at all of them and they are all just so expensive for the budget I have but that's how it has to go, do you know if the nutrients I have on the post will work for this project if they do I will just use them for the time being and then when I have a bigger budget after the harvest I will buy the ones you recommended and if they don't work I will wait to get some more money to buy nutrients and just my aero garden nutrients.
Plants: I have no idea what PH does I know it's like the toxicity of the water or something like that but yeah that's all I know, and I don't plan to have tomatoes in here I have my balcony for that ( THEY HAVE FLOWERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Light: I was looking at that light, not for any specific thing I just want like something in case something is happening with the outside light or whatever. And the Tub Dimensions are ( These are from the website)
Note: I really don't want to do the Kratky way because that would mean I most 99% would kill the lettuce by overfilling the bucket and drowning the roots.
But Just wanna say this another time thanks so much for taking the time to write this.