RETF vivarium needs plant ideas!

[tinkgirl77]

Hey all what type of silicon is froggy
safe if I want to make a rock lined pond?

[tinkgirl77]

Bill, I'm not sure, how do I find it? I was thinking of a very small filter ( smallest I can find) doesn't have to be repti clear. Or I'm contemplating skipping the filter and siphoning the pond often and using eggcrate with the hydrballs on top of it. What do you think?

[deranged chipmunk]

http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...aludarium.html

skipping the filter is an option, but remember that you'll have to change the water often. just take your time, plan everything out. draw it on paper if you need to. sometimes it's easier to wrap your head around the whole thing that way.

[tinkgirl77]

Hey Bill, Heather or Lynn. Are any little ferns ok? Or are there any ones that are toxic I should avoid? And y'all said for instance "begonias" does that mean all lil begonias in the terrarium section of Lee's are ok?

[deranged chipmunk]

I am not aware of any ferns that are toxic to frogs. Just remember that down the road, all ferns grow big. Expect it to die off the first few weeks, then you'll start to see new fronds appear. Most begonias will be fine. They tolerate humidity rather well. Some do get large, so research the species before you buy. Violets would also work, but they really don't like staying wet, so if you go with violets, they need to be in a dryer section of the enclosure, if there is one. Episcias (?) Are also good, as well as jewel orchids

[tinkgirl77]

Wow! Thank you so very very much! That was extremely helpful.

[deranged chipmunk]

Brian always picks up what i forget, and vice versa he makes a couple excellent points. first is that the habitat for those guys is WAY up n the air, where only epiphytes survive. the only time they come down low is the rainy season to breed, but remember, the rainforest floor is normally flooded by as much as 30 feet, so they aren't going to ground level at all. a nice epiphytic fern is a resurrection fern. they actually grow nuts in Florida, so they aren't very difficult to get. broms are wonderful epiphytes, but not the ones from big box stores, some of them are actually terrestrial plants. instead, search the plant sites i gave you. neoregalia is a nice, small brom that will grow at a nice pace and won't give you headaches. second, i love when Brian mentions this. plant small, grow big. if you look at my madagascar tank, you'll notice that it is not planted heavy at all. that is to allow everything to grow together and fill space up. but also to give the frogs room to live.