My "build"

[awelcome]

Ok... so regarding the exo terra background.... I REALLY want to try it. I know many of you advise against it, but I just can't help myself lol. I bought an 18x18 sheet, and glad I did! Measured, it's 17x17. So the 12x18 would have likely left gaps only adding to the FF issue. Further, it has those gaps for the cords to hide behind, which I imagine is another source of the issue.... so I cut those off flush and made the back as flat as I possibly could.... talk about a back ache! There are also notches out of one end for the cords to come out the bottom... I am actually thinking about turning it on it's side and using that side to do my trim to fit the tank. I am going to cut slightly large and try to really wedge it in there, and maybe block off the top with some moss or something to even further discourage the FF's..... I am sure some will find their way back there. It's a given, but I hope to minimize it at least. Luckily for me my frog already knows when feeding time is and comes out of hiding, waits for me to dump them in and goes to town so not many spread very far anyway.

Like I said, I appreciate the advice you all give, and I know you said not to use it, but I might try once I see how it fits in there. Please don't take that to mean I don't value you opinions/help and please keep helping me rofl.

[DigitalPunk]

The Broms you will wan to pin to the back ground or tie to the vine. Wrap the bad in some sphagnum moss (or any moss really). Most broms will rot if planted in soil, but doing it for a short period of time shouldn't do any permanent damage. The broom with the "spiny edges" will be fine. Frogs in the wild deal with them all the time, it is sort of engrained in them on a genetic level. I wouldn't worry about that at all.

I just really dislike the Exo backgrounds, but You sound like you are going to make it as insect proof as possible. No harm in giving it a try

Between the 2 brooms and the rest of the plants I don't think you need to worry with any of the fake plants you have. Over time the live plants will grow in and consume the tank. Most Vivariums are fairly open to start with until all the plants grown in. Then carefully pruning helps shape the tank and provide the frog with a very intricate environment.

Using both the digital and glass thermometer isn't a bad idea at all. To bad there isn't a glass hydrometer lol. I had 2 digital Hydro + Therms in a couple my tanks for a little while because I didn't trust them. Thanks to time to get use to knowing when a tank needs to be misted and Lynn for pointing out I was totally missing glass therms as a option I am slowly fazing my $20 a pop exo terr Hydro+Therms out lol.

One step most people miss when adding in the soil for the first time is to soak it really good before adding it. It will help reduce any dust and start you off with a good base for humidity.

Good luck!

[awelcome]

Thanks. I think once the real plants start to grow in I may just pull out the couple fake ones if I decide to put them in. I agree... a glass hygro would be GREAT! So far my glass thermo matches up with the analog one but for some reason that only makes me question it's accuracy too lol. My hygro is set up on a rock to lift it off the moss where I did have it (because I didn't want to attach it too soon before I knew where I wanted it) because I realized it was throwing off my readings a bit from when I lifted it off that. I think it's closer, but I still question the 90% humidity claim.... some days I don't even have to mist (though I usually end up doing it anyway because I am distrustful). I don't know, it just doesn't feel humid in there when I put my hand in. The temp thing I set up seems way more humid (I actually need to monitor that again tomorrow to make sure I have it right) and gets condensation and when I put my hand in feels humid. I have it sealed off as well as I can though.... and she seems to be ok, so hopefully even if it's not truly 90% it's adequate.

oh and I planned to dump the ABG in a container and mix it up while getting it wet before putting it in.

[awelcome]

what's the best way to pin the broms to the background? Or to a vine?

[awelcome]

thought of another question... how big will the broms get? Or how do I keep them from getting TOO big (like how to prune them.... I am admittedly a gardening noob... and have a hard time on my landscaping as it is lol). I want to make sure I don't put them up like too high or something if they get super big.

[DigitalPunk]

Attaching Broms - You can use zip ties, Floral wire, fishing line - Really anything that is no toxic and non corrosive. I use floral wire, it is super cheap and can be ground in craft stores of craft areas of bigger chain stores. Tie it so it is secure, but not digging into the broom base. By tie it I mean wrap it several times with the floral wire..... Then cover the wire and base in moss. The moss will help hold moisture against the roots. After 2 - 3 months the Brom will have attached itself to whatever it is tied to will anchor roots and the wire can be removed. Once the Broms take hold they are not going anywhere lol.

I am not 100% certain you can trim broms. They carry in size and are confusing at best. Sometimes I see them listed by the diameter of their leaf spread and others by how tall the get when they bloom. Josh probably sent you some smaller ones since you bought the plant kit for the smaller tank. Broms are very slow growers so you won't need to worry about them quickly getting to big. However if you take good care of them they will start to grow pups and after a bit of growth they can be separated from the parent plant and put into another tank

If you are attaching it to the foam background I cut the floral wire and bend it into a "U" and then pin the broom against the wall with it. I will do 3 or 4 different "u"s to make sure it is good and secure. Once you have it pinned or wrapped put a little pressure on it to see how much movement it has. You don't want it falling over if your frog climbs on it, but remember that frogs typically weigh next to nothing so don't secure it to resist you pulling on it to much.



The condensation isn't really a gauge for how humid the tank is as much as it is the temperature difference between the inside of the enclosure vs the outside. 90% humidity won't feel wet when you put your hand in it, but if you put your head in it the air would be very heavy and muggy. I mist my tanks in the morning and at night regardless what the humidity says it is. With the top of the tank sealed and the humidity up around 80% - 90% steady you basically mist the tank to water the plants.

Bill is the plant Guru. If he doesn't pop in on his own accord I will let him know he is sorely needed in this thread