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Hey guys,
Recently I have had a fascination with Dart frogs, mainly Dedro's.
During a recent trip to the Atlanta Aquarium I noticed their dart frog exhibit, which seemed pretty cool, this did nothing but spark the interest further.
I am not the type to like pets that involve hair, or training... haha So Frogs and Fish are perfect.
I have a custom build tank that measures 36"L x 24"W x 24"H
HOWEVER, its a rimless tank that is intended for a planted aquarium.
I also have a 20Long, with a stand... sitting there.
So I decided to make this 20Long into a small vivarium and from what Ive read the past few weeks, theres nothing wrong with this size if I just keep one or two frogs in it of the same genus/species.
I was thinking of two Cits. They are my favorite!
Now the specs:
Tank: 20Long with enclosed Glass Top
Stand : Modern black stand
Lighing: Marineland LED fixture (24") with 8 Daylight LED's and 4 460nm Blue LED's
Background: ... Heres the part I am asking about.
So I wanted to do something simple since this is my first Dart Frog habitat. I chose Coconut Fiber Backing... I picked up two strips (24" x 10") strips for Hermit crabs at petsmart, but today noticed those planters made of 100% coconut fiber today for only 4$! it was the perfect size... and is make of the same material and 100% all natural... Has anyone used this before? the stuff looks, feels and smell identical to the fiber background intended for hermits.
I figured I could use the coconut fiber in much of the same way Ive seen people use it for Bromeliad placement. By cutting a slit in it then inserting the plants base and packing it with Sphagnum to insure a steady and secure attachment until the plant grows.
Substrate: .. again, heres the second part.
I have seen people using clay balls on the bottom for drainage, and maybe because the clay has some iron and other elements in it for plant development. I have a bag for SeaChems Flourite , which is RICH in nutrients and is clay based... I also have some of the small bioballs used for reef tank filters (dont worry not been exposed to saltwater). I am thinking I can use the bioballs as a drainage base, then top them with the flourite for nutrients, then a layer of the tropical topsoil (coconut fiver brick) I got today and sphagnum, with leaf litter as a dressing (where can I get some btw?)
How does this sound?
Plants: I picked up the following today for starters:
Fittonia argyroneura
Hemigraphis alternata
Crptanthus bivittatus
Syngonium podophyllum
Tradescantia spathacea
Nephrolepis exaltata
How do these sound?
Also I was going to get some local moss that grows out in the woods here (away from polution) its the same species that you can buy ... i am slightly worried about parasites so I wanted to hear opinions about this...
I wanted to add a philodendron vine, some driftwood and rock, a fern or two more, and a couple of bromeliad pups. Maybe a tilandsia ionantha ...
I grow orchids, palms, broms, and carnivorous plants as well as many other tropicals here... its a hobby of mine so I can always use my epiphytes i have here growing too. .. namely the broms and tilandsia
Lets see... i think that better be all for now.
Please help me

Recently I have had a fascination with Dart frogs, mainly Dedro's.
During a recent trip to the Atlanta Aquarium I noticed their dart frog exhibit, which seemed pretty cool, this did nothing but spark the interest further.
I am not the type to like pets that involve hair, or training... haha So Frogs and Fish are perfect.
I have a custom build tank that measures 36"L x 24"W x 24"H
HOWEVER, its a rimless tank that is intended for a planted aquarium.
I also have a 20Long, with a stand... sitting there.
So I decided to make this 20Long into a small vivarium and from what Ive read the past few weeks, theres nothing wrong with this size if I just keep one or two frogs in it of the same genus/species.
I was thinking of two Cits. They are my favorite!
Now the specs:
Tank: 20Long with enclosed Glass Top
Stand : Modern black stand
Lighing: Marineland LED fixture (24") with 8 Daylight LED's and 4 460nm Blue LED's
Background: ... Heres the part I am asking about.
So I wanted to do something simple since this is my first Dart Frog habitat. I chose Coconut Fiber Backing... I picked up two strips (24" x 10") strips for Hermit crabs at petsmart, but today noticed those planters made of 100% coconut fiber today for only 4$! it was the perfect size... and is make of the same material and 100% all natural... Has anyone used this before? the stuff looks, feels and smell identical to the fiber background intended for hermits.
I figured I could use the coconut fiber in much of the same way Ive seen people use it for Bromeliad placement. By cutting a slit in it then inserting the plants base and packing it with Sphagnum to insure a steady and secure attachment until the plant grows.
Substrate: .. again, heres the second part.
I have seen people using clay balls on the bottom for drainage, and maybe because the clay has some iron and other elements in it for plant development. I have a bag for SeaChems Flourite , which is RICH in nutrients and is clay based... I also have some of the small bioballs used for reef tank filters (dont worry not been exposed to saltwater). I am thinking I can use the bioballs as a drainage base, then top them with the flourite for nutrients, then a layer of the tropical topsoil (coconut fiver brick) I got today and sphagnum, with leaf litter as a dressing (where can I get some btw?)
How does this sound?
Plants: I picked up the following today for starters:
Fittonia argyroneura
Hemigraphis alternata
Crptanthus bivittatus
Syngonium podophyllum
Tradescantia spathacea
Nephrolepis exaltata
How do these sound?
Also I was going to get some local moss that grows out in the woods here (away from polution) its the same species that you can buy ... i am slightly worried about parasites so I wanted to hear opinions about this...
I wanted to add a philodendron vine, some driftwood and rock, a fern or two more, and a couple of bromeliad pups. Maybe a tilandsia ionantha ...
I grow orchids, palms, broms, and carnivorous plants as well as many other tropicals here... its a hobby of mine so I can always use my epiphytes i have here growing too. .. namely the broms and tilandsia
Lets see... i think that better be all for now.
Please help me