My "build"

[awelcome]

I'll try... it's just not in my nature lol. Humidity is still rising though so that's good. I just wish she wasn't exposed to the light so closely (there is glass between the light and the tank too) while she hangs out up there. Should I turn it off or will that mess with her day/night schedule too much?

[DigitalPunk]

She will move if she gets to warm. They are very good at doing what they need to. Best thing you can do right now is to take a breath and leave her to her own devices for a while. Maybe go check on her in a few hours

[awelcome]

will do, I draped a piece of fabric I've been using before I had the background over it a little too, which covers the sides some and gives her more security. Hard not to look a lot though, when I can see her from my spot lol.

[awelcome]

I think she likes it! We left to get dinner and when we got back she had come down (maybe better I didn't have to see if she fell lol). Then when I checked after that she had found her way under the log which I honestly didn't think she'd fit under (hopefully she gets in easily and didn't have to scrape her back or something). I wanted to give her a few more flies since she didn't get a chance to hunt all day like she likes, and she came right out for them and has been out exploring a bit since. I guess I got super lucky with such an easy going frog that puts her love of food above any fears lol. She looks so great in her new viv! Way more at home.

I gave her the flies on the leaf next to the under part of the log, which worked well... I had put some on the log earlier but the little bit of excess powder that shook out with them made it look ugly, and now I can't wait to spray it down, but trying to avoid opening her tank for a bit lol.

[awelcome]

so I just watched her go back under... it's definitely a tight squeeze. She has to go in low to the ground, maneuver to turn around and then she's crouched down in there..... I know she'd probably come out if she couldn't fit right, but I guess a part of me just wonders if that would be as true if she felt that was the only good hiding place. Would you leave well enough alone or try to press the ground down a bit more under there the next time she was in another part of the tank to make it a deeper hollow? .... yeah I know I worry about the smallest things rofl. I have also been told this.

[DigitalPunk]

That is tough to answer from the other side of a computer screen. Either way would work. I have seen frogs kick and and move the substrate around to suit their needs... she could fix it on her own in time.

My only concern would be stressing her out again so soon. When frogs go under things to hide it makes them feel secure to have their backs pressed against something.



Hmmmm I would leave it alone for now... I have learned they can sort quite a bit out on their own.... As my friend Bill would say "They have 400,000,000 years of evolution working in their favor"

[awelcome]

true... but when I gave her a couple more flies.... she's hunting around for flies that aren't in there... I did press it down a tad. Still tight, but she can actually go all the way through to the back side so must be alright. She seems to really be loving it though... she's been all over, jumping in her water, going over her log, under it, behind the bushes. Makes me happy.

[DigitalPunk]

You did a good job! Nice job jumping online and doing the research you needed to do and spending what more you needed to get her setup right. Now just think how much fun that was but bigger

[awelcome]

maybe some day.... I actually don't know if I want a set of frogs anyway, because I don't want to deal with tadpoles just yet. That's a whole other hassle I am not ready for. I can see how making vivariums would be fun, but I can see how they can break the bank too lol.....

[DigitalPunk]

Yes they can, I have spent a lot of money on tanks, but through research and planning have been able to keep the cost per tank at a controllable level. I am actually looking into building my own custom Acrylic tanks in the future, but I am not ready for that just yet

[awelcome]

I am definitely thinking if/when I get to do a big tank I want some awesome big wood pieces... so I am thinking I will just start slowly collecting things as I go and maybe by the time I make one it will have cost less, or I will have forgotten lol.

[awelcome]

oh I do have another question... now that I am getting around to cleaning up..... I have a bit of ABG, and a LOT of moss left over. I wrung out as much water as I could from the moss and have it loosely placed on a platter in the window to dry it out some. Can I keep it for filling in as needed? Same with the ABG...can't really wring it out since it's so oddly textured, but once it dries out can I store it for filling in if I find the need to? It's funny that I looked at that little brick of moss and thought no way would that cover the space I needed! And even though I didn't actually put the full amount the suggest because I don't have the space for it all I can see it would have easily filled my tank like three times!

[DigitalPunk]

Sphagnum moss? Yes you can let the Sphagnum dry and then reuse it later as well as the ABG. I store all my leftover soil and moss in plastic tubs for use later. ABG also makes a great substrate for Isopod culturing

A little Sphagnum brick does indeed go a long long way lol.

[awelcome]

So speaking of springtails... I was getting ready to order the kit from Josh's Frogs, but the crazy shipping has kind of held me back. Not only is it 24 bucks to have them (and the color enhancer 3oz) shipped to me on top of the 40 bucks for the merchandise but that doesn't guarantee live arrival! To get that I would have to double the shipping price!!!! I don't know where else I can get the stuff though.... any tips?!

[Lija]

Your tank looks beautiful!

Ive been reading this thread thinking that the stories like that i love this forum for. From stupid store advises to happy endings like that!

[Lija]

So speaking of springtails... I was getting ready to order the kit from Josh's Frogs, but the crazy shipping has kind of held me back. Not only is it 24 bucks to have them (and the color enhancer 3oz) shipped to me on top of the 40 bucks for the merchandise but that doesn't guarantee live arrival! To get that I would have to double the shipping price!!!! I don't know where else I can get the stuff though.... any tips?!

There gotta be somebody who does dart frogs in portland and they will for sure have springs. Why would you need color enhancer? Do you wanna look at classifed on this forum, may be you'll find smth.

[awelcome]

And while I am in here again.... what do you suggest as a cleaning routine for this tank? Now, and/or once I get springtails. I clean the water dish every day and wipe the glass down a bit, but what about the substrate and whatnot?

[Lija]

I believe no cleaning is needed, that is what springs are for

[awelcome]

that's good to hear, just hope I can find some that won't cost an arm and leg to get them to me lol

One more question though on the subject of cleaning.... especially since I don't have springs yet.

Since I got her a week ago I have only seen 1 poop, because she did it on a leaf. On a side note, I was NOT expecting it to be so big lol. The pet store person told me it would be tiny and she'd probably do it in her water..... We removed that with a tissue. I assume she's pooping, or at least I hope she is since she's eating so well, but I never see it. Should I be digging around for it? How will I even find it among all that stuff in there? Also... I hope it's not weird... I do have a pic of the first one if you could tell me whether or not it looks ok that would be great.

[DigitalPunk]

You can check out the prices from NeHerp. I have found their shipping prices to be much more reasonable that Joshs frogs for live insects and everything else (Josh i use for frogs


Live bugs - New England Herpetoculture LLC - Live Bugs

Spring tail culture kit (the give you a **** load of food) - New England Herpetoculture LLC - Bug Breeding Kits

Supplements - New England Herpetoculture LLC - Consumables (All)

Why are you getting color enhancer? You really only need to dust with Calcium w/D3 and a Multivitamin (I haves used Repcal Multivitamin) but just switched to Repashy because I read their delivery method for vitamins is better.

You may want to get 2 Spring Cultures. One to dump into the tank and the other to start a breeding culture. Your Cobalt will eat all the springs it can find and they are essential to your tank being virtually maint free.


Cleaning - All you really will need to do after springs are added is wine the glass down every other week and restock the spring population regularly.