Complete Vivarium builder and maintainence guide

[flybyferns]

Thanks Lynn,
I'll keep this thread updated with what I find. the hard part for me as novice is that I dont even know what to look for. I might put something together but leave out a crucial element because I just didnt know it existed. Thats the real reason I need the experienced builders/keeps, so that I know what to include without missing crucial details. As I start my own build I will document everything and make exactly what I am looking for so future members will have it.

I have found many threads of other members documenting their builds, and videos on youtube. but what I dont see or dont know if it is important is what micro-organisms need to be introduced if at all. and what care needs to be done. ie; do I change water or just continually filter using my water feature pump? Do I change substrate ever like in an 'artificial' Terrarium or just let the water washing through act as cleaner?

Those are the big holes.

Thank you,
Tyler

Hi Tyler,
Here are informative links to help answer some of you questions:
Amphibian Care >> Waterfalls and Drip Walls in the Terrarium
Amphibian Care >> Constructing a False Bottom
http://www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/a...intenance.html

Lynn

[Eric and Stitch]

Just updating some of what I've found lately that will help inform newbies to the live terrarium concept
http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...nt-thread.html

And for making a micro ecosystem
http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...e-remover.html

Can any of the experienced builders tell me that if I have a large tank to small population(55Gallon to 3 Red Eyes), would spring tails and other tiny things be able to keep the tank clean without much work from me?

[deranged chipmunk]

Since it is such a tall build, i would definitely recommend both springtails and isopods. The springtails will help with the waste in the substrate and the isopods will climb and help with the upper portions of the enclosure.