Where.to.start..?

[DonLisk]

I agree. Keeping it simple is will mean less maintenance and worry when your first starting out.

Look at some of the build journals. There are several that members, including myself, have posted that will guide you through some pretty easy setups.

You will see many with cool backgrounds, you basically just need a good drainage layer, the top substrate, and plants.
If your tank location has a normal room temp of 65 to 70 at night and 70 to 75 during the day, your all set to just add some day lighting and have some happy frogs.
Keeping humidity up is easy if you have the top almost completely closed up too.


Your family will love having frogs that are out and visible during the day time hours.

[froglover27]

what tank size should I purchase for four at the most and is four an 'ok group' for Dendrobates Leucomelas? How should I deal with ventilation for plants, if i use a glass top? I was hoping to do a cool background like some I've seen on here...but where to start haha!! And as for the false bottom....Does it need a 'drainage hole'? Lastly, I have a large magnolia tree in my front yard...I have heard darts like the magnolia leaves. How can I make sure they're clean? A good rinse?Thanks guys!! You are the best!!

[DonLisk]

I like a 20 Long for a build for them since they are mostly bottom dwellers. 4 should but just fine in a 20 long.

I siphon my drainage area with a hose but you could drill and build in a drain hole if your ok with drilling glass.
Magnolia leave can be boiled then dried in an over at about 200 degree but you have to watch them carefully so they don't bburn up.
I get mine from josh's frogs for pretty short money. I use the live oak and sea grape leaves since the live oak is smaller and the sea grape has some cool colors.


As for ventilation, Pick up the matching glass split canopy top and instead of using the plastic extention where a filter system would go, make a screen like the ones used for home windows.

Its actually simple and I bet you could even give the measurements to a Lowes employee and they would cut it for you.
When cutting the material take into consideration the corners.

Here is a link to making the screen: How to Make a Window Screen: 10 steps (with pictures) - wikiHow

Here is an example from the front of one of my verticals. your would be just made to be placed on top.

[froglover27]

I have a tank that I'm not sure if it's a 15 long or 20 long, but how would you siphon if all the 'materials' are on top of it?? Oh goodness And also, are leucs terrestrial more than arboreal? I have a normal tank...not an Exo-terra...so the whole tank is glass except for the SCREEN top.....How should I deal with that haha. Gosh, you are so helpful! Thanks

[DonLisk]

Dart frogs areterrestrial Sometimes they will start calling before lights on and after lights out.

For drainage, I have a corner where I can lift the screen material that seperates the drainage area and substrate. I use a aquarium siphon hose and have the collection bucket lower than the tank so i can get it draining with suction. Stole plenty of gas when I was a kid.... only kidding :-)

You can use a pump like this one : Walmart.com: Battery-Operated Liquid Transfer Siphon Pump: Automotive

Or you can have the tank drilled and a drain valve added.


As for what you have, that should be fine as long as you cover about 90 percent of the screen top with clear pleni-glass (available at lowes for about 6bucks and cut by them to your measurements free) or a piece of glass.
Just want to make sure enough light gets through the screen to service the plants needs.

[froglover27]

Could I possibly just somehow make a 'slope' into a pond from the bottom and just clean that every once in awhile? OH! I just found a plug in the bottom of mine! So I guess I could drain it that way?? And could it be plexi-glass or just regular glass?? Thanks for the replies!!

[DonLisk]

You can use plexi-glass but it seems to warp from heat. If the Plexi is on top of the screen top then it works fine. A glass top is stiffer so it handles the heat from a lighting fixture better.

Here is what the canopy glass tops look like and give easy access to the tank for feeding and maintenance.