Hello All!
First post in frog forum, have been reading a lot. Have decided I'd like to create a paludarium/vivarium in my vacant reef tank. I have a 75 gallon ex-reef tank with a 55 gallon sump in my wall, and after a large temperature spike causing cosmic meltdown, and two children, I'd like to move to something a little more forgiving.

I realize that these are not the simplest animals to keep, but affter a saltwater reef tank the parameters don't seem too bad to me. I'm prepared for the costs of outfitting this tank. I'm prepared for the time commitments. I'm lacking some practical advice.

I'd like to create an environment primarily to: add a focal piece to my home in my empty reef tank; keep an entertaining species to both myself and my children, provide a new challenge in between your typical hamster/goldfish and a highly technical reef tank. Quite frankly, I don't have the time to deal with the tight perameters of salt water aquaria...

I would like to keep diurnal frogs, and would like to have more than one or two frogs in a 75 g. I'm leaning toward a fire bellied toad species specific tank, becuase of entertainment value. Would certainly consider others. although it would be nice to have community tanks, I understand that really isn't the best plan for my new inhabitants.

My kids are 4 and 5 years old. What would be the most interesting to them in the daylight hours? I will be building a waterfall most certainly, and will have water 5-6 inches deep. Will most likely be building a false floor with egg crate. Definitely will be a live planted tank and have always loved tillandsia & orchids, even before this, have kept both of these plants extensively. (although that does not exclude other plants)

I am not afraid of technical tanks. But I also don't want to get in over my head.

Are FBT's my best option? Are there other species I should really consider? Most important in species consideration is entertainment value during the daylight hours....

No, my kids will not hold them. No, I am not going to compromise health for my own whims. I sincerely understand limiting your choices in sacrifice of your pets.

Real questions boil down to: am I choosing the right species? what is the best substrate for live plants over an egg crate? I want to provide very aggressive filtration, what is the best method?

Lets just talk as if money was no object, (which of course it is), but I'd like to work down from a best case scenario.
Will be happy to provide pictures as needed of current tank set up.

Thanks so much in advance. I learned everything I know about reef aquaria from a forum like this. Looking forward to becoming a part of your community~!!
~Elizabeth