A sculpture in many stages, My in Progress dart frog Viv...

[Lady]

I have used Lexan aka Plexiglass on my snake's tank to keep in humidity. It works just fine laid over the mesh and the way my tank is designed I belive this to be the best solution if the humidity drops. Though I tested the humidity not just by a gauge but also by sticking my hand in. It feels like the air after a heavy rain and only drops slightly when my air conditioner kicks on. My tank does have a small waterfall running down the back which will keep the humidity higher.

I have also already plugged the holes you mentioned with silicone. I had already heard about thumbnails escaping that way. Though right now the plan is still for a single Fine Spot Leucomelas since I am as my brother joked, "A First Level Frog Handler"

[jarteta97]

EVERY- hygrometer I have ever purchased has been inaccurate, and worked intermittently.
If used them, it would be for a guide only. We need learn to judge the humidity in every other way possible.

Yup, I just got tried out the new National Geographic one, and it seemed to be working fine for about 2 weeks. Yesterday though, while I was airing out the tank for about an hour and a half, the hydrometer stayed at 83%, and that's with half the top screened and the doors cracked. I think I'll just rely on the health of the plants

I'm glad the tank came together, Lady, and I can't wait to see pictures . If humidity drops, a towel over the top works too FYI

[Lady]

I am seeing a drop in the humidity today, we will be cutting some Lexan tonight. Part of why we set up the tank and let it run is to iron out kinks like this before the frog is bought. It's better to have it all working right first.

[deranged chipmunk]

I have used Lexan aka Plexiglass on my snake's tank to keep in humidity. It works just fine laid over the mesh and the way my tank is designed I belive this to be the best solution if the humidity drops. Though I tested the humidity not just by a gauge but also by sticking my hand in. It feels like the air after a heavy rain and only drops slightly when my air conditioner kicks on. My tank does have a small waterfall running down the back which will keep the humidity higher.

I have also already plugged the holes you mentioned with silicone. I had already heard about thumbnails escaping that way. Though right now the plan is still for a single Fine Spot Leucomelas since I am as my brother joked, "A First Level Frog Handler"

Just a note. With the high humidity in a dart tank, the screen at the top will start to rust over time. It's really worth the extra time to remove the screen because the rust ends up dripping into the tank. And while all animals benefit from small amounts of iron, that's just a bad kind of iron to be dropping into the tank.

Looking forward to seeing the completed tank. Especially curious to see what species of begonia you have in there, since most grow huge!


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

[deranged chipmunk]

Yup, I just got tried out the new National Geographic one, and it seemed to be working fine for about 2 weeks. Yesterday though, while I was airing out the tank for about an hour and a half, the hydrometer stayed at 83%, and that's with half the top screened and the doors cracked. I think I'll just rely on the health of the plants

I'm glad the tank came together, Lady, and I can't wait to see pictures . If humidity drops, a towel over the top works too FYI

I agree. I can tell what the humidity in my tanks are via the plant and animal health. Most commercial hygrometers are garbage and are just pricey paperweights. I haven't used a hygrometer in a few years now.


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

[Lady]

I do agree that the health of the plants will be a better indicator than the humidity gauge. Over the long term they will be a big help. The begonia is a black fancy and it is really small now but all the plants will get bigger if I keep the tank healthy.

As to the screen the plastic of the lid is cracked and held together with silicone. I will have to replace the tank lid at some point. When I can replace the whole lid it might be worth it to remove the screen and silicone in some glass. I also plan to build a whole new larger tank in two years, and redo this tank as a quarantine only tank. So I don't think the rust will be a problem in the long term. In fact I think I will go price lids right now.

[DigitalPunk]

Sadly the tops of the Exo Terra tanks rust sooner rather than later. If the plastic is cracked you could just measure the opening and have some 1/4" glass cut to size. With the relative small opening on a 12x12 tank the Plexi glass should do fine as well. Plexi has a tendency to sag down into the tank over time due to the high humidity and temps. I only tried using Plexi once before I moved over to glass all together. Others on here use it quite a bit and would be a better source of info on what the max size is before it starts to bow in.

I think the screen on my Red Eye tank started to rust in only a couple months. (as a point of reference for you on how much time you might have). Reds tanks are kept at a much lower humidity, so I would assume the screen over a dart tank would rust a bit faster.

I took the lid to one of my 24x18x24 tanks to a local glass shop and then replaced the screen with glass and only charged me $18 to do it (they used 1/4" glass). So that might be an option as well.

[Lady]

OK I sent pictures of the broken lid to ZooMed and hopefully they will send me a replacement since it was broken when I got it. If they don't it will cost me about $13 and shipping to replace it. It is secure enough for me to move forward as it is and replace it when I have the new one here. At which time I will see about putting Lexan in place of the screen or at least something that will not rust and be secure. Since I was taking pictures for that purpose I thought you might like to see it as it is. Bare in mind that the rocks are all siliconed down, so they can't be moved and the waterfall leaves a natural shallow pool at the bottom for the frog to sit in.
Attachment 73737Attachment 73738

For the record the plants are a Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red' in the pool at the foot of the waterfall, a Billbergia 'Casa Blanca' just forward of the rocks that make up the waterfall, a Nephrolepis exaltata 'Fluffy Ruffles Fern' dead center, a Begonia 'Black Fancy' in the front right hand side and two different Tillandsia on the ledges. If the Tillandsia do not work out I can pick them off the shelves and place them in a container garden. They are fairly cheap, so I don't mind trying them out. I also plan to add a slim piece of cork to run from behind the gourd to the top ledge. If you look there is already a hollow bamboo that will make a second ground level hide and lots of sphagnum and leaf litter. I want my froggy to be nice and at home while this is his habitat.

It takes time to learn and sift through advice, and I don't plan on buying the frog for a few weeks. He will live in a quarentine tub for a while as well. So there is time to make minor adjustments.

[jarteta97]

The pictures didn't show up for me. Photobucket makes it really easy to insert pictures, and it's what I use.

P.S. I love pics

[LisaGarcia]

I wasn't able to see the pics either I am really looking forward to seeing your wonderful tank!!

[canadian frog]

lady the viv looks great, for anyone looking they are on the home page in the photo album, looks pretty awesome, your frog should enjoy itself, how are you keeping the water running down to he pool without it going everywhere, having issues with water direction it seems to do what it wants to do not what I want it to do. anyway the tank looks great cant wait to see your new addition.

[deranged chipmunk]

The tank looks great for your first tank Lady


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

[DigitalPunk]

Looks good Lady!

[Lady]

lady the viv looks great, for anyone looking they are on the home page in the photo album, looks pretty awesome, your frog should enjoy itself, how are you keeping the water running down to he pool without it going everywhere, having issues with water direction it seems to do what it wants to do not what I want it to do. anyway the tank looks great cant wait to see your new addition.

First make sure you aim the hose and make a clear channel with gravity not against it. Don't be afraid of a little splash. Also get a variable speed pump and adjust it to where you want it. Aside from that water will be what it wants because it is powerful.

[Lady]

Just so everyone knows ZooMed has sent me a notice that they will replace the lid.

Glad you all like the pictures. For those that don't see them they are in my album here on my profile.

Tomorrow I start culturing my own flies...

~Lady

[Frogman1031]

Looks very nice!!!

[Lady]

Sadly the tops of the Exo Terra tanks rust sooner rather than later. If the plastic is cracked you could just measure the opening and have some 1/4" glass cut to size. With the relative small opening on a 12x12 tank the Plexi glass should do fine as well. Plexi has a tendency to sag down into the tank over time due to the high humidity and temps. I only tried using Plexi once before I moved over to glass all together. Others on here use it quite a bit and would be a better source of info on what the max size is before it starts to bow in.

I think the screen on my Red Eye tank started to rust in only a couple months. (as a point of reference for you on how much time you might have). Reds tanks are kept at a much lower humidity, so I would assume the screen over a dart tank would rust a bit faster.

I took the lid to one of my 24x18x24 tanks to a local glass shop and then replaced the screen with glass and only charged me $18 to do it (they used 1/4" glass). So that might be an option as well.

Lexan is actually stiffer than original plexi and harder to break, though not impossible to. It's the same stuff that the Mythbusters were using for their blast shield for a while, that is until they actually broke it. Oh yeah and you can buy it at Home Depot.

[deranged chipmunk]

Yup, lexan is some awesome stuff. I only use that. Hate plexi. Lexan cost a bit more, but well worth every penny to not have to worry about war page and such.


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

[Lady]

Yup, lexan is some awesome stuff. I only use that. Hate plexi. Lexan cost a bit more, but well worth every penny to not have to worry about war page and such.


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

It's made with carbon suspended in polymer, that is why it is tougher and more expensive. I would never use just original plexi glass for anything because it scratches, warps and is a real pain in the, well I better not say exactly where in a public forum.

[Lady]

I just got the replacement lid from ZooMed and Calculator Brain (my Husband) is working on removing the metal screen right now. I am glad ZooMed was so quick about this. We think we might be able to buy our frog soon and I have my quarantine set up as a temp home for the 30 day confinement and so that we can let springtails establish themselves before we add a healthy frog.

I am ready to bust with anticipation.

I also already have some plans for how I want to build my bigger tank when the time comes. I really want either a 24"x18"x24" or a 24"x18"x36" Exotera. I have the room for either on top of the dresser.

But before I get ahead of myself I still have to keep just 1 frog alive for 2 years. During that time I will learn all I can to better care for my little friends. I will perfect culturing fruit flies and tank maintenance. I will research new materials and try to grow new plants from the ones I have. I will also figure out how to raise up tads so that I can have healthy froglets. I will become the frog keeper I want to be.