Exo Terra 90x45x45

[Belinda]

HI All

New here so be gentle :-)

I have just brought an Exo Terra 90x45x45 tank and starting to put it together, and wandered how you guys would suggest heating it, would you get 2 x Exo Terra Forest heat mats or 1 large Habitat Heat mat to place underneath the tank and also how would you protect the side you put the tank on from the heat.

Substrate: Is Forest Bark ok to use in the same way as Hydro Balls with a moss top layer?

I am housing White Tree Frogs by the way :-)

Belle & Tony

[kueluck]

That seems kind of short to house WTF's, or really any kind of tree frog IMO. But for heating I would think a 40watt red night time bulb would keep this warm, but then it also depends on how cold/warm you keep the room the frogs live in.

[maxQ]

Welcome Belinda, Please post pictures of your progress, Id love to see.

[Belinda]

Well this is how it ended up, kept umming and erring about waterfall but went with one in the end ;-)

Decided on 2 x Forest heat mat's in the end, so if 1 dies we have a redundancy with the other mat heating.

[maxQ]

Very, very nice I love it, nice job on it. Im curious, is that a self contained Waterfall? What's feeding it?

[Belinda]

Yes Self contained Waterfall - Medium Exo-Terra Waterfall, has a small pump in the lowest chamber and I have put a Exo-Terra Fogger in the second Chamber up aswell.

[deranged chipmunk]

Forest bark probably wasn't the best choice for a drainage layer. The purpose of the hydroton, besides it being lightweight, is it is no porous and won't absorb water, keeping the substrate dry. It also gives a place for health nitrifying bacteria to grow on. Forest bark will absorb water, and even worse, over time will decompose in the bottom of the tank. It also allows for inaerobic bacteria to grow, which would be bad. But hopefully, you will get lucky

Otherwise, it looks very cool!

[Belinda]

I went with Hydro Balls in the end for the main Drainage layer :-)

[deranged chipmunk]

Oh good!! Lol

[Belinda]

I have Hydro Balls on Drainage layer, Then fleece lining, then some Forest Floor with Moss covering, I wasnt sure if to strip the forest floor out or not though?

[deranged chipmunk]

I would dump the moss. If your white's feed like mine, it could be an impaction risk, unless you bowl feed. It appears you have imitation plants in there, so the forest bark will be fine.

[Belinda]

Does the forest floor not also have impaction risk? we are new to Frogs and choosing the right substrate is mindboggling lol

[deranged chipmunk]

You can never go wrong with good old fashioned coco fiber. Ecoearth, plantation soil, or the like. You can throw some leaf litter on it and they will be happier than the proverbial pigs

[Belinda]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated :-)

[deranged chipmunk]

My pleasure!!

[Belinda]

What Leaf Litter should I try and get, seems hard to find in UK, is Oak and Magnolia leaves ok, always thought Oak was Poisonous and dont want to kill my little Froggies!

Anyone know of a good Supplier in UK?

Any help much Appreciated :-)

[Meefloaf]

the midlands is the centre of the frog scene in the uk, marc at dartfrog is away atm, but dartfrog sell everything you need, not seen too many places with the leaves for sale tbh.