Q's about darts in general.

[deranged chipmunk]

next question- if i do a vivarium with Leca instead of a false bottom, how long can the vivarium last without me having to tear it down?

With proper maintenance and micro fauna, years.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Frogman1031]

Not true actually. My member's choice palu was a drainage layer tank. You just need to have a taller drainage layer.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

Oh i see. From what i had read, i thought you needed a false bottom. Well at least i learned something

[ColleenT]

thanks!! still researching...

[deranged chipmunk]

Oh i see. From what i had read, i thought you needed a false bottom. Well at least i learned something

It's just easier with a false bottom, but it can be done with both


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[ColleenT]

but if you have a false bottom, on't you need to find a way to filter the water? I am hoping to avoid that.

[deranged chipmunk]

Unless you choose to do weekly water changes, yes, filtration is necessary. This can be simple as water moving through the substrate, or more complex like submersible filters or canister filters.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[ColleenT]

i really prefer things to be as simple as possible. so i guess i would do the Leca and substrate on top and a low water dish i could clean or switch out daily.

[deranged chipmunk]

No water dish is needed for darts.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[jarteta97]

This is correct, you just need high humidity, because frogs absorb water through their skin from the air around them. If you're on a really tight budget, you can buy all of your plants from Lowe's, Home Depot, and other hardware stores, as long as you treat the plants before putting them in the viv. In fact, the Home Depot and Lowe's near me have recently been getting a lot of "exotic" plants that you normally wouldn't see throughout the year, including pilea, begonias, fittonia, etc.

[DigitalPunk]

Another way to make the Leca drainage layer even easier as far as maint goes is to drill the tank and install a drain at the Max waterline so the water leaves the tank as it fills up. Drilling a tank is super simple, but is nerve wracking for me lol.

You can also install a tube down into the drainage layer with a sponge on the end (the sponge will keep the tube from getting clogged) and just siphon the excess water off as needed.

Filter water is easy enough to do (as previously stated) you can use a basic filter, external canister filter, or a sponge filter. I have tried several methods, but so far my favorite is a simple sponge filter. It is what I am using in my Mantella tank. Or as Bill said just siphone off 25% to 50% of the water weekly.

It really is all about how much weekly work you are willing to commit to.

[ColleenT]

yeah, for me, a filtration system is one more headache. i would try to not have one and go with a general damp woodland viv.

[deranged chipmunk]

The absolute best thing you can do when building a Viv, is research, research, research. Decide on a species of dart and research the heck out of their natural habitat and try to mimic it. Whenever I set a tank up for a specific species, I will read tons of articles, as well as look at hundreds of pics of their environment. When I feel I'm satisfied, I try to blend all those pics together in my head and form on single scene. I know it sounds a bit OCD, but it works for me.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[ColleenT]

i am trying to read all i can right now and asking Q's. Thanks.

[ColleenT]

i have made my decision to get 2 Azureus. I got myself a 20 high tank, i ordered a conversion kit lid from junglebox, i ordered Josh's false bottom leca type stuff, substrate barrier, abg mix, long fiber, sphagnum moss, live oak leaves, and 2 springtail cultures. and a coconut hut. i want to find a couple pods, little ones. i also got a manzantita? branch. this is all on it's way now, and i can let everything settle in the tank. i still need LED lights, and i can get pothos at Lowes.

Q- if i order the frogs online from the same dealer, do i need to quarantine them each separately, or can i QT together? is it always better to QT separate? how long do i need to QT, and do i need to have anything specific in the QT tank? i was thinking, damp paper towel, and a hide area.

Q- how many melanogaster per juvie frog per day? i worry about them hiding. i do plan to have springtails in the viv, but want to offer FF.

[ColleenT]

next Q- do you put the entire culture of springtails into your tank, or do you remove the charcoal?

[awelcome]

on Josh's Frogs site they said you can mix the charcoal along with them into your ABG mix (which already has some charcoal as well) or you can add them separately by pouring water into the container so they float and then pouring that into the viv.

[ColleenT]

i was asking what each of you do personally.

[awelcome]

I am still trying to establish my culture before I add any..... not sure how it's going, but so far I don't see many moving around so I am assuming it's not "booming" yet so I am waiting. I had two cultures sent, and it was a question of whether or not enough survived the heat to add some right away and start a culture so I just threw them all into a culture.

But when I am ready, I am going to just dump a few in with the water method. Mine came in an ABG mix to start, and I put them into a charcoal culture.

[ColleenT]

Beuller? Beuller?

Q- if i order the frogs online from the same dealer, do i need to quarantine them each separately, or can i QT together? is it always better to QT separate? how long do i need to QT, and do i need to have anything specific in the QT tank? i was thinking, damp paper towel, and a hide area.

Q- how many melanogaster per juvie frog per day? i worry about them hiding. i do plan to have springtails in the viv, but want to offer FF.

[deranged chipmunk]

Sorry, been flaking lately. If you are getting them from the same breeder, you can qt them together. 30 days is a good 'standard' for qt time. You'll need damp, unprinted paper towels, a hide area and some plants for them to climb around and hide in. Care in qt is no different than in their permanent home (daily feedings, misting, ect)

You'll figure out the feeding when you get them. To be honest, I don't count fruit flies. I go with a guesstimate and the adjust after seeing how they feed. Make sure you keep a spring culture going as well as ff, the darts will snack on the springs in between meals.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela