10 gallon vertical dartfrog terrarium construction

[JimO]

That's an interesting question. I'm actually trying to get away from the expanding foam + silicone method. It takes a long time for the foam to cure and there's controversy over whether or not GE Silicone II is safe or not. The anecdotal evidence and my own experience is that yes it is safe. However, my next background is going to be clay (yep, the kitty litter method). I've already got pure sodium bentonite kitty litter for it. It's cheap and very quick. You just can't let it dry out completely or it will crack.

I'm actually considering foam for the upper half and clay for the lower half where it will stay moist. I don't have a misting system and I just know that I'll forget and let it dry out up near the lights.

[Deku]

Awe..... If only my hands didnt mess up what I touch. D; Id make my own. Chances are ID somehow get it wrong. :P I got a question for you john or any vertical tank keepers or any plant keepers in fact

1)How do you feed the plants in a vertical tank if the plants are on the walls covered with cocofiber linen???? I saw a set up like this a while ago and Iam very curious how one feeds a plant that is on a wall.

Also whats that black thing you were putting on?
As well if you wanted to make a nice rim job. Like I went to dendroboards for a sec to look at their terrariums and one person had this terrarium that won a prize. It had wooden rims and it looked like how the exo terras make theirs in that sort of sense. How do you do something like that? Because wood gets damaged easily by water or pretty much alot of things. Also if I wanted to paint the rims green would that look bad? Or like if I wanted to paint little designs on the rim?
I got some vertical tank ideas but somewhat afraid to do them so my question is.... How hard is it to do one ? And how stable are they?

[John]

1)How do you feed the plants in a vertical tank if the plants are on the walls covered with cocofiber linen????

You usually don't feed them. Most of the plants suitable for these positions are epiphytic - they live off the ground and get their nutrients from the air and water that gets onto them. They can also get nutrients from things like frog poop breaking down.

Also whats that black thing you were putting on?

Read the post again.

It had wooden rims and it looked like how the exo terras make theirs in that sort of sense. How do you do something like that?

I'm not sure what you're talking about but it sounds like some kind of DIY woodwork - not my area of expertise.

Because wood gets damaged easily by water or pretty much alot of things. Also if I wanted to paint the rims green would that look bad? Or like if I wanted to paint little designs on the rim?

As long as you use non-toxic paints.

I got some vertical tank ideas but somewhat afraid to do them so my question is.... How hard is it to do one ? And how stable are they?

I feel like your post was a direct stream of thought post. How hard is it? It's not hard, but what might be hard to you may be easier for me. Just try it.

[vasco94]

My god , your terrariums , are amazing
Congrats

[Tom Highum]

Hello John great job they look beautiful but i have a few questions:
1. No-See-Um mesh, do you know if that could be obtainable on the internet?
2. Could you list what kind of plants you used and where you got them?
3. Will the Ghost Wood rot in any way?
Thanks
Tom

[John]

1: Camping stores sell it. I believe you can get it from amazon.com too
2: Plants, that's an awesome question. There are various bromeliads, most of which are small kinds of Neoregelia. I use Aechmea gamosepala (spelling?). Of the other plants, there are Fittonia (the leaves with the white markings), Ficus pumila, and various aroids including Pothos. I have also added Dischidia "Million Hearts" to the terrariums since the last photo. Most of my plants, with the exception of Pothos and Dischidia, came from other hobbyists or Black Jungle. I have also started buying bromeliads from Michael's Bromeliads in Florida (they have a web site). Pothos and Dischidia came from Home Depot or Walmart.
3: The Ghost wood holds up for a very long time. Mine shows no signs of degradation after a year.

[Tom Highum]

Thanks John, also could you try to describe the clay method here or on another thread if possible, im afraid i do not clearly understand it.

[mark one]

very nice tanks.... im starting with frogs next year, going to do up a corner aquarium tand thats 2 foot high 3 feet across and 2 foot deep, would this be suitable for frogs i will be using an external filter with spray bar coming back in to tank as for a rain system and water fall also with moss and some ferns please comferm that all is ok to use again nice tanks

[onedge30]

Lights? What type of fluorescent bulbs are best for this type of set up?

And additional heat supply? Under the tank heat pad or tape?

I would think that this idea enlarged for tree frogs would be incredible?! But more open screen for better vent.

John, it is a great how to!! Thanks!!

[Froggiestyle]

mate look stunning man good work

[minitrev125]

Great work John im definitly using this idea on my next tank.

[roxngal]

Hi John, simply excellent work on the environments!

How and to what are the film canisters attached please?

Kind regards,

Peter

[FrogFarm]

I want to turn my 30 gallon rimless into a vertical Terrarium for Green Anoles. How hard is this going to be?

[Kellbri]

John, I want to do a conversion for my white tree frog, do you know of any threads with pictures that have done this for the tree frogs cause i wouldn't put the water in the bottom for a dumpy like you did for the dart would I? Or can i just do the background like you did and then put the coco fiber or dirt substrate on the bottom? also i was wondering what do you do for the heat in the tanks? I was told that i have to keep the temp. up for the whites and with the upright tank like this you can't set the heat lamp on the glass. I got my convertion kit from junglebox for my 20 long and i had my white in it with the light hanging above the tank, not touching but it still got to hot and cracked. So, now i am going to get another 20 long and do the background and try it again. I just don't want to crack another tank. Do you have any ideas? Jenni

[FriedrichsFrogs]

Hi, John. i know this is a 2 year old post but im in new here so im just browsin the first things i see (incredible tanks man). Out of curiosity, with those type of vivarium setups how/when do you clean those things? i mean they look failry involved, to say the least, and appear pretty perminant so i imagine you would want to disassemble them as least as possible so how can you thoroughly clean them without destroying most of the vivarium entirely??

[sramadei]

This is fantastic information. I am just getting started with my frogs. I have two pacmans in 10 gallons with live plants and they are doing great so far. I want to branch out to tree frogs eventually; Amazon milk frogs especially.
my question is: what do they need as far as habitat? I realize that your beautiful uprights that you made are specific for darts. I'm still brainstorming and increasing my knowledge base. Any info is much appreciated.

[froggirly]

Stupid question: What is LECA?

[Bombina Bob]

Hey John
I really like the 10 gallon vertical tank you built! i just dont know where to get the 10 gallon
conversion kit, and ive been wondering if tree frogs would be fine in a tank like this?

Bombina Bob

[maxQ]

Beautiful job ! I just got a 40 Viv that I have not started yet as Im looking for ideas, yours is goregous, I enjoyed reading this.