need help (with pdf's...)

I've been doing my research for a few months now and I have some specific questions...
first my specs...
10g aga tank
15w t-8 flourescent tube light
no cover... yet...

now my questions...
-for substrate etc... I'm thinking about getting http://www.blackjungle.com/Merchant2...ategory_Code=K from here prolly the basic kit, does this seem up to par???
-I'm not quite sure how to culture wingless fruit flies, everything I read was very obscure but I have yet to check out that part of the forum...
-I like p. vitattis, if I did 2 or 3 in the tank what genders should I get, if two they should be both male or male/female and if 3 two females and a male??? again, my sources weren't clear to the questions I wanted answered...
-in the room where I wuold set up the tank, it isn't heated but has ac in the summer, should I invest in a UTH with a reostat for winter months?

If I think of anything else, I'll post... thanks to all replies...

[sbreland]

I'll lay off the substrate question, but 2, maybe 3 vittatus would be OK in the 10, but if you are going with 3 it wuld be better to have a little larger tank. As far as sex goes, vittatus are generally peaceful in groups so you would be fine with any mix of male/female, but you would haveth emost fun with a male/female setup rather than all of one sex. The ratio is not a very big deal in Vittatus, but my personal preference would be a 1 male 2 feamles setup to get more eggs!

thanks, that really cleared things up for me, and btw if I can't find vitattis, I think I'll get d. auratus, and is there something I should be worried about for substrate, or do you just not know, I'm about to do some more research so I can compare what to get/ not get...

also I don't know what to do as far as a top goes, I'll do a hinged plexiglass top but should some or half be mesh wire??? I know to keep it humid, but also to ventilate, wouold this just entail opening the top for an hour or two a day???

[topaz017]

I'm new too but Ill give ya what I know.

Substrate - coco beading, some orchid bark, make sure it doesn't contain perlite, frogs can eat this stuff and die I hear. coco bedding, peat moss, fir bark.. a little mix of all those. Make sure it doesn't contain things like fertilizers, chemicals etc. Try your local pet store, look for compressed coco bricks.

Fly's - http://www.blackjungle.com/fruitflies.htm

Temp - I hear should be 65-75, depending on the type of frog. Try asking whoever you buy them from what the exact temp they like/have been kept at.

[topaz017]

Well if you use mesh, your fly's will get out. And it wont keep it humid enough.. Try reading peoples construction journals. You'll get some great tips there. And remember frogs are little escape artists too, leaving the top off that long probably wouldn't end well.

now I read that, but lately I've been in a diy craze, so is there any recipe for media? oatmeal, water and yeast perhaps??????? time to google...

[sbreland]

Don't use mesh on your top... too many problems. Fruit fly escapes, frog escapes, but most of all, it lets out your humidity. If you don't have a glass lid, do yourself a favor and go to a local glass shop and have them cut you a lid that will fit tight on the top adn then have them place a horizontal cut in the middle so you have a place to put a hinge. Search for the term Living hinge and follow that or buy hinges from some of the sponsers here on teh board to finish you top and make it safe. Don't worryt about the ventilation aspect as there will be plenty of oxygen moved in and out of your viv every time you open the lid. Don't leave teh lod open as you 'll let out humidity and your inside temps will fluctuate. As far as the substrate, I know what I like to use but everyone has their own preference and that's for you to decide what you like best. There are plenty of threads on it in the parts and construction forum, so you should check those out to give you an idea what's best for you.

[elmoisfive]

I'd start researching the fruit fly end of things and actually start making some cultures once you have the right materials in hand. Getting that right will spell the difference between success and something less desirable.

Bill

true thanks guys, after a bit more browsing on this site, I think I'll be ready for set up. that cleared a lot up...