RETF new home 36x18x36 arriving tomorrow, needing plant/lighting help.

[tinkgirl77]

Hey guys, so I've had my little guys for a little over 6 months now and of course the viv itch is back. My guys have been so happy but I want then oi have more space. so I ordered an exoterra xlarge tall for them. I'm in need of plant suggestions.Their current viv favorites are an alocasia amazonica and some kind of fittonia and a stream. the amazonica works very well and they looovvee their river. The fittonia is well rooted,very nice to look at but not strong enough to support their weight. I also have pothis and philodendron. none are high enoughAny ideas or suggestions on plants that have decent height and are seeing enough to support the retfs?

Also looking for lighting suggestions for this too.

that's so much
lisa

[tinkgirl77]

Forgot to add, looking for any abd all suggestions. They are all appreciated. Thanks!

[Eric and Stitch]

Make sure I understand the dimensions, 36 wide by 36 tall and18 front to back? That's big. That's awesome. This is what I've been told with lighting, others may correct me. RETF need UV so a jungle florescent is needed. You shouldn't need more than one tube though, just one span of UV for the frogs (1 36 inch or two 18 inch tubes end to end) for growing you need the red and blue spectrum and there are two ways to get this. One is a plant florescent that when you look at it is purple. One span of that would be enough. Or the way I'm leaning for my next/current build is led. Both fluval and marineland make led systems that provide the appropriate light spectrum for plants while not still looking like normal light, not purple. An added bonus to these led systems is that they have "moonlight" light modes and the higher end marineland one has a built in timer. But when looking at LEDs you need to make sure you look at aquatic plant versions not the marine reef version. The reef capable ones are too blue of a spectrum.

Hope that helps. My personal build will have one 24 inch tube of jungle UV and a perimeter of marineland edge led lighting since my build will be 48 tall but only 26 wide.

[tinkgirl77]

Yea the size is awesome. Deal was my hubby got a new larger tv and I got a tv sized tank! Lol

I've actually been looking into the exoterra compact hood ( 36"). Then I've been looking at the jungle dawns but I would need 4. That's pricey. How often do they need to be changed, any idea?

Im thinking off doing a waterfall with drip pools as the water trickles down. They love the little river they have now so I whittled like to expand on that.

Any ideas for sturdy, but tall plants? Im planning on doing a cocofiber background and add so net pots and small broms too.

Thanks for the help.

[flybyferns]

Hey guys, so I've had my little guys for a little over 6 months now and of course the viv itch is back. My guys have been so happy but I want then oi have more space. so I ordered an exoterra xlarge tall for them. I'm in need of plant suggestions.Their current viv favorites are an alocasia amazonica and some kind of fittonia and a stream. the amazonica works very well and they looovvee their river. The fittonia is well rooted,very nice to look at but not strong enough to support their weight. I also have pothis and philodendron. none are high enoughAny ideas or suggestions on plants that have decent height and are seeing enough to support the retfs?

Also looking for lighting suggestions for this too.

that's so much
lisa

Hi Lisa,
You will not be sorry. This enclosure is the best tank size for your red eyes.
They will be very happy ! Lucky frogs

I drill small holes in the screen rim ( with a dremel ) Pass a stainless ring of some kind through the hole ( I use cheap shower curtain thingies ) ...eventually you can pass the pothos vines through the ring. This way ...the vines will begin to drape, creating lots of ,really high, sleeping spots!

See pic #20 - Agalychnis callidryas Album.
http://www.frogforum.net/members/fly...allidryas.html

Lynn

[tinkgirl77]

Lynn, it was your enclosure that inspired me to get one!

[deranged chipmunk]

if you want a nice, sturdy plant that will grow tall and full, don't overlook a simple diffenbachia (dumb cane) they grow wonderfully in vivariums. syngonium (arrowhead plant) will also grow nice and tall. in fact, i saw a bunch at walmart tonight. calathea should also hold up to their jumping once it grows full, as should croton. there are a few others, but that should get you started in the right direction.

[Heatheranne]

Congrats, Lisa! I still like a good pothos. Chinese evergreens also grow nicely and like the moist soil.