Help with dart frog

[eric048]

Is there a substrate that doesn't break down? I also saw on YouTube people use foam to make backgrounds, i want nice water feature incorporated into the background

[dablock]

Eric, for your first attempt at building a vivarium, I wouldn't try a water feature. The frogs don't need them and they can often be more trouble than they're worth. Once you've made a couple of vivs, then you might want to research and try a water feature. As for substrates, I don't know of any that will never break down. Five years is pretty good for a substrate and by then you'll probably want to redo it anyway so that you can try something new. Again, I'd go for effective, but easy for your first viv attempt.

[eric048]

What if i wanted to make my own background? Also wouldn't cleaning it out after 5 years mean I have to start over from scratch?

[DonLisk]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of water features and although they sound simple, usually create problems later on. Pumps making noise, going out, a separated hose or clogged.... all make for a real mess unless planned out well enough to be accessible without disturbing the frogs and tearing up the hole tank.

[eric048]

Well I have two of those tetra in tank filters I was thinking of using those instead of a pump, also how do I make my own background in a way that's safe for y frogs