Shopping list

[Bcfaubel]

I plan on having a breeding pair of azureus dart frogs in a 18x18x24 tank. could anyone provide me with a shopping list of what ill need and which silicones/foamy stuff to buy. most information i find is really vague. thank you

[Mike123458]

Hey Bcfaubel.
This is what I got for my 40g breeder.
- LECA or gravel (can also use egg crate)
- substrate separator
- ABG substrate mix
- Great Stuff (I used gaps and cracks, but the pond version is good as well and has benefit of being black instead of the usually yellow)
- GE II black silicone
-Lighting (I use LED. Expensive, but it looks amazing and produces little to no heat. CFL are a cheaper option.)
- Glass custom cut for the top of the tank
- Leaf litter
- Wood of some sort
- Plants
- Isopods and/or springtails
- Fruit fly (preferably culturing before getting the frogs as buying them each week can get pricey.)

This is all just in my experience, so you don't have to follow the list exactly as there are a bunch of different options to choose from. For example, there are a lot of different brands of foam and silicone to buy, so I suggest reading up a bit before buying anything just to be fully prepared for the outcome. Same for the substrate and lighting choices.
Also, you may want to check out some websites like Josh's frog. I believe he offers care kits with almost everything you need to set up a tank.

[Bcfaubel]

ahh thanks. i've looked at josh's frogs a little but not much. i just want to make sure im prepared before i start anything. lol. im also going to have a water fall in the tank. but i have a little water pump i will use. I just want to make sure the silicone and foam i use is non toxic. heh

[Mike123458]

Silicone seems to be a debatable topic. I remember reading that some people were worried about GE II due to some of the ingredients, while others claim it has had no negative effects on their frogs. If you're worried about that, there is also titebond, but this method is different from using silicone so you'd have to read up on it a bit.
Also, if it helps, I have had great success with Josh's frogs care kits. I used one of them to make a 20L not too long ago.

[Bcfaubel]

ahh so it just depends on who you ask heh. yeahh, ill have to do more research on that front

[Jerah Teoh Yong Qiang]

You might want to check out NEHerpetoculture's webpage as well; they do have a detailed guide on building a vivarium and a care guide on dendrobates and a very detailed one on crested geckos as a bonus!

[Bcfaubel]

ahh. great reference site. +rep to both of you. thanks for the help guys. i would appreciate all other info people are willing to distribute lol.

[Bcfaubel]

anyone have any recommendations for plants?

[DartEd]

Plants really come down to your preferences. One of my favorites is columnea( goldfish plant). I believe it is just amazingly beautiful a readily flowers in vivarium conditions. Its a trailing plant so plant high on the background and let it drape down.

Peperomia, begonia and ferns are all excellent terrestrial choices that take a good beating that tincs and azureus will be dishing out
Heres peperomia caperata

Heres my suntan begonia

Peperomia verscheffeltii

[Bcfaubel]

thanks! yeah, i would just wondering if some plants are better than others as far as vivarium plants go, like are some toxic to certain species, etc.

[DartEd]

New England Herpetoculture LLC - Plants

That link is all vivarium and frog safe. Some plants such as tillandsia require air flow which would make them unsuitable to vivarium life unless you install a small fan. Some people have with great results. Choose plants from the site and then read up a bit. Remember not to over plant or it looks like a mess. I generally go with 3-4 terrestrial plants 2-3 vining/climbing plants and 3-5 neoregelias for a 20 gallon tall tank set horizontally. The site also has vivarium size specific plant packages. Mike and Jess are great a picking out plants.

just remember that although a viv may look a bit under planted, plants will grow and fill it out.

[Bcfaubel]

yeah i was planning on 4 plants. 2 on the background and 2 on the ground. and im also going to build something out of polymer clay for visual effects. (the kings of old from lord of the rings) lol.