Where.to.start..?

[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.

[DonLisk]

If you decide you need ventilation you could use one of these: Aquarium Cooling Fans: Zoo Med Aqua Cool Aquarium Cooling Fan AA-13

[froglover27]

Okay...So, this is kind of like my rough draft. I'm going to do a false bottom with LECA, ABG(maybe?), and leaf litter(with magnolia leaves) Oh, and these aren't really any specific plants! They are just random Any input would be awesome!!!!

[DonLisk]

Small bromeliads placed into the background facing out vise up will work great. The frogs will use them to hide and sleep. They will also lay eggs in them.
I say small since many will way outgrow the tank but there re tons of varieties that stay sort of small.

Cryptanthus is also another good choice, likes damp soil and takes some time to outgrow the tank. The frogs like to use these to climb onto branches and will also use them to perch on when watching for flies.

[froglover27]

So, does my design look okay?? And I was going to go with bromeliads anyway!! Also, is Cryptanthus zonatus okay to use?? What about ferns?? And how can I insure that the plants are free of fertilizers?? Thanks!!

[froglover27]

Is there place to buy canopy glass tops? Or is it cheaper to make them??

[helm96]

So I use these to top all my Dart Frog enclosures. Aqueon® Versa-Top™ Hinged Glass Top - Lighting & Hoods - Fish - PetSmart . They work pretty good. It would be cheaper to buy and have the glass cut at Lowes but you will have to buy a hinge for the lid to make feedings easier, I have only found the hinges online. That is why I buy the aqueon lids. They are a little more expensive but they can be dropped on top og the enclosure right out of the box. I have no ventelation in the top of my Dart enclosures. The more plants you have the more oxygen you will get. Another thing to consider is also the more plants you have the more your Darts will be out because they will feel safer if they can hide easier. I would recommend the ABG soil mix as well as a springtail culture.

The spring tails are great. They serve a few purposes, they can be a food sorce for the darts as well as they are janitors in the tank because they love to eat any mold that maybe developing in the tank. Another good note is after you have the enclosure setup let the eco system run for about 2-3 weeks before adding any Darts. This will give you time to make sure that all the plants will work and get a good root before your little guys get added. It can be really stressful to them if you are replacing half of the plants in the tank right after you put them in. I have been there!

Hope this helps. Buyer beware, Dart frogs are highly addicting!!!!!!