New to amphibians

[AmazonFTW]

Hello

I recently started researching dart frogs after seeing a terrarium for sale in a fish shop I visit regularly. I am seriously considering getting a terrarium and starting to keep dart frogs (just 2 frogs to start).

I am completely unsure of the size of terrarium that would be needed to keep a pair of frogs. I have seen the Exo Terra 12x12x12" at a good price and was wondering if this would be a good starter terrarium or whether the 12x12x18" or 18x18x18" models would be a better investment?

I have added up the costs and worked out the set up to cost £170 roughly (with the 12x12x12", discluding frogs) but obviously the cost would increase the larger the terrarium is but I would assume that an 18x18x18" terrarium wouldn't require too much more substrate than a 12x12x12"?

This is the list of equipment I believe I will need (please correct me if I need more or less): Terrarium, Background, Light, Bulbs, Plantation Soil, Moss, Wood, Hygrometer, Thermometer, Hydroballs, Plants, Glass (placed on the lid, to keep the humidity high), Coconut Hut, Fake Vine, Fruitfly and Springtail Cultures, food dust supplement.

I am also unsure whether dart frogs require a pool of water or whether this is just optional?
I keep fish already and so my room that I would keep the frogs in is 21-24 degrees, would this be OK or do I need a heat pad?
What should the humidity ideally be for dart frogs? I've read 60% up to 90-100%, I would use a hand sprayer as I can't really spend too much money.

Sorry for so many questions, I just want to get it right.

Thanks,
AmazonFTW

[eric048]

well first thing you have to know is what species of darts you want, if youre doing thumbnails a 12x12x12 will do, if youre doing the bigger ones like azureus or the other bigger darts no less than an 18x 18x 18x I would pick a frog then do a supply list, it really depends on the frog, also try looking at some "begginer" darts....

[AmazonFTW]

I was looking at either Dendrobates Tinctorius or Auratus, as they're my two favourite types of the 'beginner' darts - leaning more towards Auratus though, 'Super Blue' are really stunning. So I guess I'd be looking at an 18x18x18".

AmazonFTW

[fluffypanda]

the Auratus are amazing! do you know everything that you need to get for their viv?

[eric048]

set up the viv let it run for about a month then get the frogs

[AmazonFTW]

Using the stuff I mentioned in the first post? Or will I need more?