18x18x24 RETF - Natural Style - Build

[Heatheranne]

[DigitalPunk]

Those branches look great Heather! The ticks used in the tank is a whole branch that was cut from Manzanita, there are some smaller twigs, but none of the ends come to a point. I hope no one gets impaled, but I am operating under the "This exists in nature" theory. My Reds only leap if they are startled and we do our best to stay out of the enclosure when they are awake, but only time will tell if I made an awful mistake.

Its to soon in this tank to make a call one way or the other. Everyone is still very stressed from the move into the new tank. The 2 bigger Reds have not woken up yet tonight for any longer than they needed to shed then they went right back to sleep. The 3 little ones are up and moving around. I put 2 food bowls in the tank, one with medium crickets and one with small crickets. I don't think they have found them yet lol.

[DigitalPunk]

Well the frogs are starting to look more and more at home in the tank. I don't think they are settled in yet, but they have started exploring. So far they all prefer the water in the bottom of the tank for soaking to the water bowl. I have setup 2 platforms for feeding and water (I fill the platform with water and then set a small bowl of crickets in the middle). It is hard to tell who is eating what with 5 frogs in there, but I have not observed any fighting. You can tell they are very aware of the population increase and are still trying to figure out how to deal with it.

On a side note, and I think this is very interesting. A couple of the little frogs will dive off the land bowl into the water and swim to the other side of the tank and then climb out. At first I thought it was because they didn't know it was full of water, but they seem to enjoy doing it. I even saw one of our bigger ones lower itself all the way into the water and swim a bit before exiting. Seems to go against the "Not good swimmer" statements you hear sometimes about the Reds, though they are not graceful swimmers like the Mantellas I have are.

[DigitalPunk]

I am going to be changing some things with this build. The over all layout will remain mostly the same. I am going to replace the Bowel in the water with some rocks and a land mass over the water. The bowel is just causing some concerns over swamping out the soil and I want to spread the plants out a bit more. The rocks will allow for drainage and will give me more surface area to work with. I want to keep the water feature in some respect. Heating the tasks with the aquatic heater has worked out great so far and is much more affordable than using other sources. The main thing I have noticed so far is that the water does evaporate quickly due to the largely vented screen top... I have to add roughly a gallon of water a week to the tank. I will be pulling the frogs out in the next week or so to clean the tank anyways and will make the adjustments while they are in the temp holding tank while the cleaning is done.

They LOVE the limbs in the tank. They climb all over them when they wake up. They have been seen lowering themselves all the way down into the water. The bigger to Reds we have will actually get all the way in the water and stand on the bottom and just soak. They have a water dish as well (and do use it) but they all seem to prefer the water feature more.

[kueluck]

Problem with this "theory" is that the mortality rate is high in nature and we try to avoid that in captivity.

[DigitalPunk]

I agree that we want our pets to live as long as possible, but I disagree 100% with sterilizing the environment to do that. I would not put any of my pets in harms way intentionally, but I also allow my dog to run around the yard without a leash on. I know you weren't trying to offend me and I am not upset. I just think it is important to simulate their natural environment as much as we can in the terrarium.

[kueluck]

The intent was not to upset you, but stating a fact. Since we choose to keep animals in our home we need to supply the safest environment to them. I for one sand down all edges and corners of wood products that are used. If I purchase something glass or ceramic, I make sure to run my fingers over all areas to make sure there isn’t a catch on it. If I bring something from outside into the vivs I make sure to clean and sterilize it. It’s our responsibility as amphibian caretakers to provide them with a safe sanctuary.

[DigitalPunk]

Gail,

I don't disagree that we need to be sure we are providing the animals in our care with a safe environment for them to live in. This can be applied to any animal and not just to Amphibians or Reptiles. I personally feel that simulating nature as much as possible is a glass cube in my basement is the best way to accomplish this. I know not everyone agrees with me on this and that is totally fine, but it does not make the people who push the envelope of the "accepted norm" any more right or wrong than those who do things the traditional more standard ways. I too take great care in ensuring I am setting up the environments to suite the animals needs as much as possible. Including more of nature in a terrarium does not mean the environment is not safe for them.

I appreciate your view and opinion and respectfully disagree with the implication that this "theory" is any more unsafe than the way you have described how you do things.

I think your last post show you care for the animals in your care and that is what matters most in all of this. We all care, or we wouldn't be on this forum posting our successes, failures, problems, and solutions.

Paul.

[DigitalPunk]

This tank underwent a large repair today. Rocks were bought for a base to replace the bowl. The Bowl idea was sound in theory, but showed some major weaknesses as it was in use. The total cost for the rocks was $10.00.

The frogs were removed and the tank was taken outside and cleaned from top to bottom. After the rocks had been cleaned I started putting the tank together.


Here is the rock in the tank after playing with the layout some.


Forgive the blueness in the photos. I had a setting wrong on my camera and caught it later in the build.



A few more tweaks to the little rocks on the top of the slab and the branches added in (the branches were also cleaned between the old setup and this one)



A close up of the little cubby I made for the water bowl.



First handfuls of Damp AMG Mix added to the tank.



Moss was added around the edges to keep the ABG mix contained so I could build it up enough to put plants in it and keep the Soil from falling off into the water.



Plants added. Most of the Pothos was left out. I felt the tank was to crowded to add them all back in. I am thinking of getting some sphagnum moss and tying it and some Pothos up on the tree in few places, but I haven't decided yet.



Side view.



Here is hoping this one works out better than the bowl idea lol.