New viv

[ems1016]

Newbie here. I am about to take delivery of one of ZooMed's larger 18 x 18 x 24 terrariums. I want to do this right, so my timeframe is to get the vivarium up and running and wait a while before introducing any (Mantella) frogs. This will serve two purposes in giving me time to learn more about frogs while allowing the terrarium to root and take shape.

However, one of the very reputable dealers told me that it would be best to introduce the frogs very soon so as to assist in the ecological balance of the tank. However, he also said, if I did not want to introduce the frogs immediately, there were products I could buy to assist in the fertilization process.

May I please have your opinions as to how to proceed? If these substitute products are, in fact, a viable alternative, which would you recommend?

Thanks! Ed

[Kurt]

I have only one planted tank and the frog was there before the plants were. So, I can't tell you if this guy is right or wrong.

[Tropicok]

I believe your instinct was right. Get the tank planted and look at it for a couple of weeks and make changes needed until you are satisfied with it. Go back and read any care and setup info and compare it with yours. With mantellas it should be simple. The little buggers are great at hiding. I would make the substrate medium pebbles and in a color which contrasts with the color of the mantella. The less handling after you get it all set up the better. Good luck.

[Kurt]

As far as substrates are concerned, I wouldn't use pebbles (or Bam-Bam ). I would set up a false bottom (see the red-eyed leaf frog article for instructions), with a layer of LECA or Hydroballs, a layer sphagnum, then a layer of leaf litter (live oak leaves work well for this, available from Josh's Frogs). Or you can put a layer of LECA directly in with a fine mesh above it, the a layer of coconut bedding (possibly with some sphagnum mixed in), then the layer of leaf litter.

[Tropicok]

When I talked about using pebbles I meant ones bigger than the frog's mouth. My city is so strange to shop in when looking for anything exotic. I can buy some stuff at the reptile store, other stuff at the home improvement store, certain green plants at a plant nursery on the other side of town and by then I've used up a tank of gas. I finally found a bromeliad that can fit in the viv I've been working on for months. The waterfall flows the way I found pleasant but haven't figured out how to deal with the power cord.