[BrianWI]

I decided to start with a pair of Azureus dart frogs. Got a second hand 12 x 12 x 18 Terrarium to start (a little small, but I think will work well to cut my teeth. Will likely use it to rear froglets in the future). It came with the styrofoam background.

Since the bottom is a smaller space, I will have some small palms in the back (I know I will have to keep trimmed, but will hide the somewhat unrealistic background) and have a philo vine in the substrate climbing a piece of wood. Hoping to also find a tiny fern. That would leave more flat frog space.

To add plants, I would like to add a brom or two into the background. Anyone seen or made anything that would hold them into the styofoam well and look somewhat natural? Which broms would stay small and tolerate terraium conditions? I see may air plants, any suitable?

 

[parkanz2]

I'm not the best to answer the plant questions, but as far as attaching them... It's quite easy when your background is foam based. Just use staples/wire! I like to get an aluminum wire or similar so it doesn't rust. Just make sure you avoid copper for sure.

 

[flyingSquirrel]

I decided to start with a pair of Azureus dart frogs. Got a second hand 12 x 12 x 18 Terrarium to start (a little small, but I think will work well to cut my teeth. Will likely use it to rear froglets in the future). It came with the styrofoam background.

Since the bottom is a smaller space, I will have some small palms in the back (I know I will have to keep trimmed, but will hide the somewhat unrealistic background) and have a philo vine in the substrate climbing a piece of wood. Hoping to also find a tiny fern. That would leave more flat frog space.

To add plants, I would like to add a brom or two into the background. Anyone seen or made anything that would hold them into the styofoam well and look somewhat natural? Which broms would stay small and tolerate terraium conditions? I see may air plants, any suitable?

For small brom options take a look at this thread http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/plants/75911-neo-broms-what-tiniest-ones.html


Even with trimming, I don't think palms would be a good option. As soon as you start putting things in, you'll realize how tiny that tank is. Palms naturally have clumping/fountain shape, so the "fronds" will be coming forward toward the front a lot. Trimming them alot will also probably lead to an unattractive and weak plant, in my opinion.

I think there are better options for that tank and for hiding the bg. I would look into less common plants / plants that you would NOT find at a local hardware store. Go with dwarf plants mostly, to make the most of your small tank and so you don't have to trim things constantly. I'd try some trailing peperomia species. Pep. prostrata is a good tiny one that is attractive and grows well if you pin it to some sphagnum moss on a background. After a while it will completely fill in nice and dense and mask the moss/bg. Maybe Dischidia nummularia. A dwarf fern is Bolbitis heteroclita (but slow growing). Miniature orchids are a great choice as well.

I'd also not plant too densely, and try to get a bunch of moss to grow on everything if you can. Moss creates a natural look and the illusion of a more planted tank, in my opinion.

Hope some of this helps