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Kate

Far too old to grow up now.
I return from lurking with a whole string of questions, and a bit of a background story to help put this all in perspective (This is a MUST be done situation, not a "I just want to"). Oh and an apology for any unintentional ranting that may come up.

My daughter, otherwise known as "The Tropical Rain Forest Obsessed Future Biologist" has gone through a rather traumatic incident at school. In an effort to distract her / help her move on / help restore her confidence a plan was formed to convert an unused 20 gal aquarium into her own little piece of rain forest understory.

First and foremost budget is a HUGE consideration. I am working with a very limited construction budget at present. The budget for the animals is not so limited as they will be added later after the rest of the tank is established.

The plan so far:

The Tank: a 20 gal aquarium, sorry don't have the exact measurements, can't find the tape measure at the moment. I know it is not a "Tall" or a "Long" though.

Question: How many dart frogs can this comfortably house? I was not thinking more than a pair really, but should the decision be made later to add a second pair would that pose a problem in terms of space?

Also, I have read from many sources that it is a better idea to turn the tank on end rather than leave it flat as you would for fish. Why is this and do I absolutely HAVE to do this?

I am thinking purely esthetics's here as it will be located more or less "center stage" in my living room. My overall creative vision has it sitting comfortably on a conveniently sized end table and looking like a "set" rather than like a spare tank and bits that I threw together.

Hood and Lights: fixtures are being cannibalized from other unused hoods.The housing and ventilation screening are coming from spare lumber and window screen.

Question: It is my understanding that the frogs don't really care about the light so long as they can see, so my only concern for bulb choice is the plants requirements. There are no special spectrum or UV lights required for poison dart frogs? Do I have that part correct?

The Waterfall: This piece is NOT optional. 6 Year old little girls can be VERY stubborn when they have a vision. I do agree with her that it will be a nice touch. It will be a small waterfall leading to a small pond.

An old (now broken) table top fountain with a variable speed submersible pump is going to be providing the water flow. It is in "like new" condition so I have no concerns for it breaking any time soon. My plan, rather than fiddle around trying to construct a false bottom was to simply put in a layer of river rock on the bottom up to the level of what will be my water table, hollow out a portion of this and have that act as "the pond". Substrate for planting will go on top the gravel layer in the non-hollowed out sections. The pump itself will be housed in a small container (margarine tub with holes and screening) behind the waterfall structure.

Question: Are there any foreseeable reasons why this should not work or issues that may arise? I understand that there will be some tannin leeching. We are looking forward to that part actually. Light tea coloured water should help complete the picture.

This will be a small waterfall (it's a small tank) with minimal water flow constructed from odd bits of natural water worn sandstone held together with "GE Silicone Multi-purpose Sealant, Clear". The information I could find on this product states it is 100% silicone rubber and contains no mildew resistant additives. Is there any issue that will arise for the frogs from either the sandstone or the sealant?

The Backing: My plan was to use a coconut fibre mat, and attach a few epiphytic plants and climbing vines.

Question: Should this also be attached with silicone or left lose for future replacements?

The plants: These will come mostly from what I already have sitting spare, over growing their containers in the jungle I call a living room. So far my list of plants that I am reasonably certain are frog safe includes Pothos, Tradescantia zebrina (wandering jew), and Cissus discolor (Rex begonia vine).

Question: I also have available Chlorophytum comosum (spider plant), Hypoestes phyllostachya (Polka Dot Plant), and Fittonia verschaffeltii (Nerve Plant). Could these also be used without posing a threat to the frogs?

Also for ground cover, I am unable to locate a local source of either Riccia fluitans or Vesicularia dubyana (Java Moss) which would provide the look I would prefer (after a lush almost grassy look). Any other suggestions of things that may be more readily available at say my local (horribly limited selection They don't have Java Moss!!) aquarium supply store? Ordering online is NOT an option at this time nor really is live sphagnum as my success with live sphagnum is limited to killing it. Pet stores are also out as they all seem to push artificial plants and ground cover in this area. What about the moss the birds keep knocking off the neighbours roof? lol (no seriously, in a pinch could I use that if properly sterilized?)

The water: What water would be best to use? Distilled? Tap? Spring? The plants won't mind regular old tap water I know, but what about eventual build up of minerals and such in an undrained environment? What about the frogs? My instinct tells me to use carbon filtered water, any thoughts?


The substrate: Here my plan was to go with a "standard" soil mix of peat, coco fibre and compost with a charcol layer and the gravel layer. Would this work or is there a better mix?


And finally, eventually...

The Frogs: First what exactly are they commonly called? Dart Frogs? Poison dart frogs? poison arrow frogs? all used interchangeably?

Second, I have been really looking into getting Dendrobates auratus "Camouflage" or Dendrobates auratus "Microspot". Being that I have never kept frogs before (aside from this little girl) I am hoping for as close to bullet proof as I can get while still being "cute" and "Interesting" for a 6 year old. Granted this 6 year old spent hours studying nematodes under a microscope (as well as hairs and "dirt" and blood she "extracted from Uncle Booger") but I would like them to have "personality".

Third, I understand their main diet is usually wingless fruit flies dusted in vitamin powder and that this will require "culturing" the fruit flies. What else can I feed them? The fruit flies are not an issue, but wouldn't the frogs be happier with variety? They are strictly insectivores or am I mistaken in that?

Fourth (and I think Finally)is it hazardous to the frogs to add an ultrasonic humidifier. If I were to add this feature it would be attached in it's own reservoir close to the top of the tank and otherwise inaccessible to the frogs. My daughter really wants this feature as a way of "Misting with atmosphere" and it would run on very short intervals only once or twice a day to "Fog the environment" (say 5 minutes every morning and evening). Screening in the reservoir so the fog could get out but nothing else could get in would be no problem at all. I just don't want to install it only to find out that the vibrations or anything else related to it will kill the frogs.

As I said before, the frogs are to come at a later date (several months later) once the plants are well established and grown in and the environment is as stable as I can possibly make it. Any thoughts, suggestions, tips or advice that I haven't covered in my questions are more than welcome! We are planning to start construction this weekend so there is still time for the plans to change if I have planned something that simply will not work let me know and I will rework the idea. The only thing that is certain right now is that this MUST be built and the eventual goal is to house dart frogs. Everything else is available to be changed.
 
will do my best..............



I return from lurking with a whole string of questions, and a bit of a background story to help put this all in perspective (This is a MUST be done situation, not a "I just want to"). Oh and an apology for any unintentional ranting that may come up.

My daughter, otherwise known as "The Tropical Rain Forest Obsessed Future Biologist" has gone through a rather traumatic incident at school. In an effort to distract her / help her move on / help restore her confidence a plan was formed to convert an unused 20 gal aquarium into her own little piece of rain forest understory.

First and foremost budget is a HUGE consideration. I am working with a very limited construction budget at present. The budget for the animals is not so limited as they will be added later after the rest of the tank is established.

The plan so far:

The Tank: a 20 gal aquarium, sorry don't have the exact measurements, can't find the tape measure at the moment. I know it is not a "Tall" or a "Long" though.

Question: How many dart frogs can this comfortably house? I was not thinking more than a pair really, but should the decision be made later to add a second pair would that pose a problem in terms of space?

depends on species, if leucs or arutus prolly 5-7.........if phyllobates prolly 2 or 3 due to size, if tincs or azureus(technically azureus is a tinc) either a pair or two males......females fight

Also, I have read from many sources that it is a better idea to turn the tank on end rather than leave it flat as you would for fish. Why is this and do I absolutely HAVE to do this?
once again depends on species.......makes a 10 gal useable for thumbnail species......not needed for stuff like aurutus, leucs and tincs

I am thinking purely esthetics's here as it will be located more or less "center stage" in my living room. My overall creative vision has it sitting comfortably on a conveniently sized end table and looking like a "set" rather than like a spare tank and bits that I threw together.

Hood and Lights: fixtures are being cannibalized from other unused hoods.The housing and ventilation screening are coming from spare lumber and wind
ow screen.

Question: It is my understanding that the frogs don't really care about the light so long as they can see, so my only concern for bulb choice is the plants requirements. There are no special spectrum or UV lights required for poison dart frogs? Do I have that part correct?
whatever for lights, your plants will care more than the frogs.......no special lights required i use the same T8's i use for my CP's.....on isolated display tanks where a 4 foot shop light wont work well i use CFL's.....most important.....make sure the lid is 100% escape proof

The Waterfall: This piece is NOT optional. 6 Year old little girls can be VERY stubborn when they have a vision. I do agree with her that it will be a nice touch. It will be a small waterfall leading to a small pond.

An old (now broken) table top fountain with a variable speed submersible pump is going to be providing the water flow. It is in "like new" condition so I have no concerns for it breaking any time soon. My plan, rather than fiddle around trying to construct a false bottom was to simply put in a layer of river rock on the bottom up to the level of what will be my water table, hollow out a portion of this and have that act as "the pond". Substrate for planting will go on top the gravel layer in the non-hollowed out sections. The pump itself will be housed in a small container (margarine tub with holes and screening) behind the waterfall structure.

Question: Are there any foreseeable reasons why this should not work or issues that may arise? I understand that there will be some tannin leeching. We are looking forward to that part actually. Light tea coloured water should help complete the picture.
just make sure you can get the pump out without tearing apart a tank......frustrate you to no end having a pump clog and no way to get it out easily.

This will be a small waterfall (it's a small tank) with minimal water flow constructed from odd bits of natural water worn sandstone held together with "GE Silicone Multi-purpose Sealant, Clear". The information I could find on this product states it is 100% silicone rubber and contains no mildew resistant additives. Is there any issue that will arise for the frogs from either the sandstone or the sealant?

The Backing: My plan was to use a coconut fibre mat, and attach a few epiphytic plants and climbing vines.

Question: Should this also be attached with silicone or left lose for future replacements?
never done a mat of cocofiber.....i would prolly silicone it along the top and let it hang like a curtain.....make sure to use aquarium silicone

The plants: These will come mostly from what I already have sitting spare, over growing their containers in the jungle I call a living room. So far my list of plants that I am reasonably certain are frog safe includes Pothos, Tradescantia zebrina (wandering jew), and Cissus discolor (Rex begonia vine).

Question: I also have available Chlorophytum comosum (spider plant), Hypoestes phyllostachya (Polka Dot Plant), and Fittonia verschaffeltii (Nerve Plant). Could these also be used without posing a threat to the frogs?
should work....might be a tad wet for the spider plant

Also for ground cover, I am unable to locate a local source of either Riccia fluitans or Vesicularia dubyana (Java Moss) which would provide the look I would prefer (after a lush almost grassy look). Any other suggestions of things that may be more readily available at say my local (horribly limited selection They don't have Java Moss!!) aquarium supply store? Ordering online is NOT an option at this time nor really is live sphagnum as my success with live sphagnum is limited to killing it. Pet stores are also out as they all seem to push artificial plants and ground cover in this area. What about the moss the birds keep knocking off the neighbours roof? lol (no seriously, in a pinch could I use that if properly sterilized?)
sphagnum doesnt work well in dart tanks....it needs to much light.......Utrics actually work fine some times.....if you use peat in the soil mix chances are overtime some sorta moss will grow over it in high light areas

The water: What water would be best to use? Distilled? Tap? Spring? The plants won't mind regular old tap water I know, but what about eventual build up of minerals and such in an undrained environment? What about the frogs? My instinct tells me to use carbon filtered water, any thoughts?
depends....i use mostly RO or distilled supplimented with spring water on occationally.....low mineral is good....no mineral theoretically can cause problems.....just make sure there is no clhlorine

The substrate: Here my plan was to go with a "standard" soil mix of peat, coco fibre and compost with a charcol layer and the gravel layer. Would this work or is there a better mix?

it will work fine....ive made them without any drainage layer though i dont recomend it


And finally, eventually...

The Frogs: First what exactly are they commonly called? Dart Frogs? Poison dart frogs? poison arrow frogs? all used interchangeably?
in the hobby? dart frog....pretty much interchangeable

Second, I have been really looking into getting Dendrobates auratus "Camouflage" or Dendrobates auratus "Microspot". Being that I have never kept frogs before (aside from this little girl) I am hoping for as close to bullet proof as I can get while still being "cute" and "Interesting" for a 6 year old. Granted this 6 year old spent hours studying nematodes under a microscope (as well as hairs and "dirt" and blood she "extracted from Uncle Booger") but I would like them to have "personality".
i dont recommend aurutus....they are cheap easy to find and do well in groups.....however they are usually quite shy.....might not keep a kids attention. Tincs and leucs are great on the personality end...i had a suri cobalt tinc that would beg for food. also easy to find but are a bit more $ than aurutus but its worth it cause they will be out alot. same with azureus and leucs....leucs do great in groups(rarely have to worry about females fighting and are usually out running around......Phyllobates are interesting, especially P. terriblis and P. bicolor.....theyarent afraid of anything....these are the species that give the group the name poison dart frogs. granted adults are to big to eat fruit flies but generally you have to push them out of the way if your working in the tank cause your hand WILL NOT frighten them

Third, I understand their main diet is usually wingless fruit flies dusted in vitamin powder and that this will require "culturing" the fruit flies. What else can I feed them? The fruit flies are not an issue, but wouldn't the frogs be happier with variety? They are strictly insectivores or am I mistaken in that?
i feed mine a mix.....fruit flies and isopods(sowbugs) are a staple, springtails, sugar ants and "field sweepings" from somewhere not treated with pesticides or such are a treat

Fourth (and I think Finally)is it hazardous to the frogs to add an ultrasonic humidifier. If I were to add this feature it would be attached in it's own reservoir close to the top of the tank and otherwise inaccessible to the frogs. My daughter really wants this feature as a way of "Misting with atmosphere" and it would run on very short intervals only once or twice a day to "Fog the environment" (say 5 minutes every morning and evening). Screening in the reservoir so the fog could get out but nothing else could get in would be no problem at all. I just don't want to install it only to find out that the vibrations or anything else related to it will kill the frogs.

not needed, i have yet to find one that will work longer than 3 months without dieing...........dart frog tanks are generall fairly closed up and naturally have high humidity. most do fine in anything over 75%

As I said before, the frogs are to come at a later date (several months later) once the plants are well established and grown in and the environment is as stable as I can possibly make it. Any thoughts, suggestions, tips or advice that I haven't covered in my questions are more than welcome! We are planning to start construction this weekend so there is still time for the plans to change if I have planned something that simply will not work let me know and I will rework the idea. The only thing that is certain right now is that this MUST be built and the eventual goal is to house dart frogs. Everything else is available to be changed.

feel free to askmore questions.....i also highly suggest searching for dendroboard.com......its got a heck of a forum
 
Thanks Rattler. I checked out dendroboard lots of useful information and a link to Canadart.org which has put me in touch with people close enough to visit for ideas/help if needed.

Viv construction has started already, took your advice on the easy water pump access and changed the plan a bit.

So far so good, and thanks again for the pointers and "double checking the plan" :)
 
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