Dart Frogs - Minimizing the cost of enclosure.

[FreakyFroggies]

As far as ease of care and breeding, dart frogs are looking good. My only problem is that it looks like it can get pretty expensive setting up an enclosure for just a pair of frogs. By the time you set up your false bottom, ABG mix, plants and optional background, it gets pretty expensive.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on setting up a good habitat for them cheaply? I have a 20 gallon high aquarium with glass cover that offers a little bit of airflow.

False bottom seems to be the cheapest way to go and the best way for cleaning out excess water drainage. Where can I go to spend less on ABG mix or plants that go into the terrarium?

I'm making my 6000K led light fixture out of two LED bulbs that I bought online, an extension chord and plastic section of roofing gutter with end caps. Instead of spending close to $50 for lighting it will end up costing me about $25 and still look nice. It will offer optimal light for growing plants and not require a lot of energy and won't produce too much heat.

[DigitalPunk]

Need to be careful when looking to cut cost that you don't end up doing the opposite. Sound slick you are going with the basics and that is about as inexpensive as you can get. One thing I would recommend is to do a drainage layer versus the false bottom. Unless you are doing a water feature in the tank then a false bottom is not needed. The Drainage layer will also add the benefit of a healthy thriving micro fauna population to the tank (assuming you add springtails or Isopods to the tank.... which you should).

[FreakyFroggies]

One thing I would recommend is to do a drainage layer versus the false bottom. Unless you are doing a water feature in the tank then a false bottom is not needed. The Drainage layer will also add the benefit of a healthy thriving micro fauna population to the tank (assuming you add springtails or Isopods to the tank.... which you should).

That's a good point, I figured seeding the substrate with springtails and isopods that the ABG mix would be good enough for them. When using LECA how often does the drainage water need to be siphoned out?

[deranged chipmunk]

The two least expensive tanks I ever built were for darts and they are larger tanks. A 40b and a 125g. I make my own ABG in bulk, so it saves me cash in the long run. I don't use a false bottom, I use river pebbles as a drainage layer. The 125 uses 2 4ft shop lights for lighting. The 40b uses t5ho which I got on the cheap. No backgrounds, nothing fancy.:


A majority of the plants in the 40b came from Home Depot, as did the ABG supplies. If I were building a 20h from scratch, right now, this would be my supply list:

Light: 24" beams work led $35
Drainage layer: River pebbles $4
ABG (not sure, never purchased a mix) home made
Plants: Home Depot, lowe's, Walmart, local garden center. Eat $30
Wood for hardscape: free

So, $70 plus ABG. Obviously less than $100 for the tank. As long as it is planted well, who needs a fancy background?


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

[deranged chipmunk]

Oh, I forgot, 4 feet of aquarium airline and 1 valve, $6


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

[FreakyFroggies]

Wood for hardscape: free

Where do you get free wood? Also, what's your recipe for ABG and where do you get ingredients?

[deranged chipmunk]

Umm, free wood......outside.

ABG recipes are all over the net. I get everything from Home Depot and pet stores (the only place to find for bark to replace tree fern fiber) but mine is essentially: peat moss, fir bark, orchid bark, long fibered sphagnum moss and cocofiber.


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

[FreakyFroggies]

I would be afraid of parasites in wood found outside.

[LilyPad]

I would be afraid of parasites in wood found outside.

I bake all my wood at 250 degrees f for a half hour, or if it is part of a water feature, I boil it instead.

[Vivariums In The Mist]

We carry loose tree fern fiber if you ever need.

Umm, free wood......outside.

ABG recipes are all over the net. I get everything from Home Depot and pet stores (the only place to find for bark to replace tree fern fiber) but mine is essentially: peat moss, fir bark, orchid bark, long fibered sphagnum moss and cocofiber.


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

[deranged chipmunk]

Paul, seriously? You've been holding out on me? Lol


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

[Vivariums In The Mist]

Lol, yup, we have the good stuff!!! Carry it by gallon bags, besides ABG, I use it a lot for backgrounds. Anytime you need, let me know. I can also bring to the LI Reptile show for you in March if you want.

Paul, seriously? You've been holding out on me? Lol


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

[deranged chipmunk]

Cool. I will need some before then. I actually need some other stuff as well. I'll pm you next week sometime for it.


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

[Vivariums In The Mist]

Awesome, anytime!

Cool. I will need some before then. I actually need some other stuff as well. I'll pm you next week sometime for it.


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