broke but saving :P

[pookie]

I have little experience with frogs, but have loved and wanted them for years and i have no frogs as of yet because i don't have the funds to afford them, so i am saving up and getting the stuff i shall be needing to buy some tree frogs.
In this space of waiting i have ample time to decide what i will be doing with my viv's set up for and i have some idea but i was hoping for input from masters such as the folk right here to make sure the tank is well set up and the froggies are happy, so i can be.

I have experience with plants and i like them so i thought i'd have a planted viv. Now my plans get a bit more complicated as i'd like to add a small pond, To do this i was planning on adding a bio-drain layer of substrate that all slopes round to one corner, then placing some draining mesh over that, next building a kind of barrier of moss to separate the plantation soil from the water, use some pebbles or other safe water substrate in the pond, plants some bromeliads maybe another type of plant in the soil and putting a layer of forest moss over that, next i'll want to keep the water moving so i'll need a small pump/filter, probably put a sponge in-front if it's a pump to keep it clear, connect a tube that goes round and maybe make a small water fall or stream to lead back into the pond that has some moss at the end to make sure the water keeps clean.
I'd like to add a fogger to help raise the humidity and keep the moss all moist and i'll also add a heat mat under the far corner from the pond to try and get any water that might stand there evaporating. To the water some friendly bacteria i shall add to help brake down any waste that falls in.
It's probably be a while before i can get all the funds i need for this sadly, but in the mean time i'll be happy to get any advise and make some changes to these plans while i save.

[deranged chipmunk]

Most sounds good. Although it is difficult to get good flow with water when using a drainage layer set up. Scratch the Forrest moss idea, that dehydrated stuff is a nightmare. Better off with a carpet of live, tropical sheet moss or leaf litter.

Be cautious planting broms in a Viv substrate. Most Viv substrates are too moist, even for terrestrial broms and they start to rot.


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

[pookie]

I thought about using moss over the top so it would help absorb some of the moister in the soil so the broms wouldn't get flooded and rot, plus i quite like moss. I do it with the ones i have already and they seemed fine so this just seemed a larger scale of that, but i'll look into your suggestions if you think it's better.

Maybe to help the water drain into that corner i could even raise the opposite corner to the pond by just a little.

Every little help.

[deranged chipmunk]

Well, the reason I recommend against the moss, is due to the frogs. They can ingest it and become impacted. Most tree frogs are not exactly "delicate" eaters lol. Even if bowl fed, they can still get it on them and accidentally eat some. Just not worth the risk when there are much more viable options.

Keep in mind that growing plants in a vivarium is a lot different that growing otherwise. You can always supplement the soil with extra orchid bark, charcoal and tree fern (or fir) fiber to get extra drainage.


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

[pookie]

I've heard the tails of tree frog eating habits, but i was hoping that if the moss grew into the soil a bit they might not eat it so easily.

[chibikaie]

Take it from someone who's had to work on too many animals with impactions: if there is the slightest chance it can be eaten and cause an impaction, do NOT put it where it is remotely possible to be ingested. In your case, that means leaving it outside of the tank. It's not worth anyone's life (yes, impactions can be fatal!), not when the cause is 100% preventable.

I just planted my first viv, so I have little other advice. But Mr. Chipmunk has been very helpful to me and has lots of beautiful vivaria, so I would listen to him.

[pookie]

I just thought that live moss would have a lot of benefits and when it's grown in there's less chance of it being consumed, but maybe Dichondra will work well instead.
Any suggestions on other good ground coverings?

[DigitalPunk]

Agree with Bill on the moss. There are several online stores we could link you to where you can buy live sheet moss or pillow moss.

Other than Live moss you can use Leaf Liter or Good quality Sphagnum moss.

[deranged chipmunk]

Not totally sure if dichondra will acclimate in a humid environment. Although, if you were going with something like retf's where the humidity were lower, it may do well.


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