Here's one froggers opinions.
1. I do not have glass cutting capabilities so putting a hole in the tank for drainage is not a possibility. Does this present a terminal problem or do I use a filter or do I simply siphon off water periodically and replace it?
You can do any one you want to. Whatever is easiest for you.
2. Since the tank is long rather than high should I forget about doing a false bottom and if so how do I manage a small stream/pond effect?
Using the pea gravel sort of acts as a false bottom. The stream effect can be tricky either way. It will depend on how good you are at making tanks. I would probably skip the stream, but if you want it bad, work on it.
3. I do not have a lid and was considering purchasing a glass for the top. I am fairly handy with a dremel and can do a fair amount of woodworking so I could create a wooden frame to place the glass in, but, would it be better to set the glass directly onto the tank?
It would be much easier to set the glass on top. I agree with the post of using the All-Glass lid from a pet store. The plastic back can easily be drilled or cut to make ventilation ( a must if you're going to put that orchid in there)
4. How long should the frogs be quarantined to shoe boxes before being added to the new tank? (IOW... can I buy the frogs before the tank is ready if I find a really good deal, :lol: )
Since you have no other frogs, you don't have to quarantine them, but if you're tank isn't ready then you can shoebox them until it is. I have to say that many people keep there frogs in a shoebox at first so that it is easier for them to find food and easier for you to keep an eye on 'em.
Don't forget to to learn how to culture flies. It is THEEEE most important thing when keepind darts. If your cultures crash or aren't producing it takes a minimun of 2 weeks to get things going again. You're frogs will not survive 2 weeks without food and you can't get flies easily from a petstore.
-Ben
1. I do not have glass cutting capabilities so putting a hole in the tank for drainage is not a possibility. Does this present a terminal problem or do I use a filter or do I simply siphon off water periodically and replace it?
You can do any one you want to. Whatever is easiest for you.
2. Since the tank is long rather than high should I forget about doing a false bottom and if so how do I manage a small stream/pond effect?
Using the pea gravel sort of acts as a false bottom. The stream effect can be tricky either way. It will depend on how good you are at making tanks. I would probably skip the stream, but if you want it bad, work on it.
3. I do not have a lid and was considering purchasing a glass for the top. I am fairly handy with a dremel and can do a fair amount of woodworking so I could create a wooden frame to place the glass in, but, would it be better to set the glass directly onto the tank?
It would be much easier to set the glass on top. I agree with the post of using the All-Glass lid from a pet store. The plastic back can easily be drilled or cut to make ventilation ( a must if you're going to put that orchid in there)
4. How long should the frogs be quarantined to shoe boxes before being added to the new tank? (IOW... can I buy the frogs before the tank is ready if I find a really good deal, :lol: )
Since you have no other frogs, you don't have to quarantine them, but if you're tank isn't ready then you can shoebox them until it is. I have to say that many people keep there frogs in a shoebox at first so that it is easier for them to find food and easier for you to keep an eye on 'em.
Don't forget to to learn how to culture flies. It is THEEEE most important thing when keepind darts. If your cultures crash or aren't producing it takes a minimun of 2 weeks to get things going again. You're frogs will not survive 2 weeks without food and you can't get flies easily from a petstore.
-Ben
