Extremely new to this...

Renay · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 03:23 PM

Hey all. My name is Renay, and I've loved frogs and toads for as long as I've been able to catch them. As the title of this thread suggests, i'm extremely new to darts, to be honest I just started learning about them yesterday

ops: but from what I've gathered they're amazing. I have yet to acquire any, and don't plan on doing so anytime soon. I need to learn a bit more before I go out and buy the whole froggie population and end up killing them. I've been looking at all kinds of FAQs and beginner how to's online for the past day, I must have printed out about 50 pages just on frog care health, and terrarium maintenance, and thats what I was doing while watching American Idol last night lol. I still have a few unanswered questions though.
1. My 50 gal aquarium has a few cracks in it. It could still hold water for like a small pond or something but would definately not suffice as a fish tank anymore. Is it okay to use it?
2. I have a few plants in mind: English Ivy (not sure about this one as I don't think they can grow in moist soil), fittonia vershaffeltii - nerve plant or silver net leaf, marantha leuconeura (not sure what its common name is), aphelandra squarrosa - zebra plant, caladium hybrids, exacum affine - persian violet... and thats about it for now. The violets are a major maybe as I don't want the plant life in my terrarium to be more beautiful than the actual frogs. Has anybody had any luck with these plants in their terrariums?
3. The frogs I have in mine are D. leucomelas. I picked them through the FAQ on this site. I'm off to search for more info on them now, but I was wondering if anyone has had any success with them in a 50 gallon tank and how many is recommended for a tank of that size without having to worry about any territorial fighting.
Thanks

Renay · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 03:29 PM

I forgot a question!! I read in the FAQ that it is not recommended that beginners mix other species with their darts... but it only really listed other species of frog and lizards.. I was wondering if it would be acceptable to ad little fish into the pond that I would like to create, it would obviously only be one or two, and would have to be a species that would stay extremely small... the more I think of it though, the harder I'm guessing it would be to do that, anyway, worth asking anyway lol

RedEyeTroyFrog · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 03:36 PM

you could probably do 3-4 leucs in that size tank, for they do pretty well in groups, just make sure there are lots of caves/hides

AaronAcker · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renay

I forgot a question!! I read in the FAQ that it is not recommended that beginners mix other species with their darts... but it only really listed other species of frog and lizards.. I was wondering if it would be acceptable to ad little fish into the pond that I would like to create, it would obviously only be one or two, and would have to be a species that would stay extremely small... the more I think of it though, the harder I'm guessing it would be to do that, anyway, worth asking anyway lol

One thing to keep in mind is that the bigger the water feature, the less room for frogs. Leucs are a good choice and as mentioned 4 would do great in a tank of that size. As for the condition of the tank itself. It is possible to use tanks that have cracks in them assuming that the location of the crack will determine your success with it. If you haven't already you may want to do a little research on the construction side of the viv, and you (or have already) learned of the importance need for a false bottom.

I'm glad that you're reading through the many sticky threads in the beginner section, they are full of great information. Welcome to the hobby!

Renay · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 03:52 PM

Thanks..

I think I'm going to write off the whole fish idea.. The goal is for the ter. to be a perfect habitat for the frogs, not fishies.

As for the false bottom, what do you mean? If I'm assuming right you're talking about what I will put underneath the soil to allow for propper drainage and such... I'm opting towards the fish rocks, because although they are heavy, I wont really be moving my terrarium around.

I really want to incorporate a mossy log into the terrarium, but I want this moss to be like... hanging in strands from the log, any ideas on what types of moss I could use to achieve this effect? And vines...I love vines... which species do best in terrariums? AND (sorry I ask so many questions lol) what about venus fly traps?

RedEyeTroyFrog · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 04:06 PM

id say the most popular false bottom by far is pvc pipe and egg crate covered in mesh then a layer of LECA then your substate. Mossy things always add a great appeal to the tank, logs/wood, im not sure what moss would hang in strands though. creeping figs might give off the look your going for. As for the water feature I agree with aaron.
Now that you know what species you want to house you need to get started on the tank. First step i would take is false bottom/water area. Then go from there

Jayson745 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 04:21 PM

You should read through some of the constuction journals in the parts and constuction section. Alot of people take pictures of their building process and show how they did things. With a false bottom you can use a small pump, and make a waterfall/stream. They usually look great.

msellers86 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 04:35 PM

Java moss could probably do the trick for the "hanging moss" look you want to achieve. You'll need to keep it pretty wet, as it is often considered an aquatic plant. I have yet to keep it in a viv personally, but I have a friend that has done it, and with proper moisture and lighting, it can grow terestrially. My viv I am currently constructing has a water feature that flows over a piece of driftwood. I am planning on having Java Moss growing ontop of my water feature. It'll also act as natural filtration and absorb nitrates and phosphates out of the water.

AaronAcker · #9 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 04:42 PM

I would say that doing your false bottom with egg crate and a screen mesh is the easiest and most affordable way to go, more so in a larger viv. By no means am I saying you shouldn't have a waterfall or water feature ( I have a small waterfall and pond in every one of my vivs) BUT the size that would be required of a fish would reduce the space for frogs

If you're scrapping that idea completely than never mind.

I also strongly agree about searching over some of the various construction threads. If the search feature doesn't work (as there have been some problems) shoot me a pm as I have some good ones book marked.

Renay · #10 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 05:15 PM

Okay, I will have to wait until Monday to search the threads because I'm stuck with dial up until then

. From what I've read of egg crates is that they look unnatural. Is there anyway to make it more natural looking? I'm not really looking to put in a water fall as I usually have horrid luck with things like that, but I would definately like to put a little pond area... The reason I had opted for the fish tank rocks was because of the fact that they do have a more natural appearance (obviously i don't have the pink ones in mind, or even worst the multi colored ones :lol: ) The more research I do about this the more ideas I get. Has anyone put bamboo in their terrariums? I think it would make a beautiful addition, and I know they do well with their roots in constant water, (i have a green thumb for bamboo) but I'm not too sure of the humidity... And what are your opinions on starting the terrarium maybe even months in advance to getting the frogs?