60 Gallon Cubed Dart Frog Sanctuary

[deranged chipmunk]

I need to retract my statement about the ficus now being adept at climbing glass. Apparently, some species of ficus doesn't care about glass.
I took that of one of my tanks where ficus 'lance leaf' is allowed to grow freely.


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

[deranged chipmunk]

Paul is a big fan of cork. I like the look of it. It holds up well and epiphytes love growing on it.


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

[EMCookjb]

I have an 18x24 inch piece coming. I got some aquarium safe silicone to attach it to the back. Thank you for support, its been fun going through the research and making this project happen. I am going to look locally for some of the plants and maybe get some suggestions.

[EMCookjb]

Update: I got an 18 in by 24 in background on Friday. I applied a couple of 3/8 inch scrap strips to the back of the cork. This will allow me to run 3/8 inch tubing up the back unseen. I unfortunately wasn't paying attention and the cork shifted at some point. Best laid plans of mice and men. Oh well, can't be perfect. I took the opportunity to strip the tank and redo things. Here are the pictures of the new look to the tank and how I installed the background.

Back of background picture:

Top down picture of new tank design:

View from the Front

View from the left:

View from the right:

I was trying to figure out how to install Mistiking mist heads. I don't want to drill through glass. While walking through the hardware store for inspiration, I found the "locking" suction cups. The question then become how to "attach" the head to the to the hook, that narrows. Then the answer came to me. Hose washers. They can be compressed in some ways while still maintaining rigidity to withstand tensions and pressures. The cost for 2 packs of 2 medium suction cups and a pack of 10 washers was about $5.00 USD.

The Mistkind head attached to a locking suction cup using two garden hose washers:



Let me know what you think. I am hoping to get the misting system up and running by the end of Monday. Later this week I will add one or two bags of ABG.

[deranged chipmunk]

I love the mist head idea! The background looks excellent. If you are feeling frisky, a drop of super glue on the mist head suction cups will keep them from coming off unless you remove them


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

[EMCookjb]

Update: I got most of the water/misting system done. I even used the pump to prime the 3/8 inch drainage tubing. Now to figure out to program the system to keep the humidity in the tank in the 90%+ range and aim the heads correctly.

Next phase is to look at lighting. I have an Elive LED single track lighting system that can hold up to 14 LED pods. There are "plant growing" pods available. But I need to know if I need UVA/UVB for the frogs.

Here is the system I have up and running.

[deranged chipmunk]

No uv light is needed for them.


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

[EMCookjb]

Thank you for the information regarding the UV. Makes things a lot easier. I am looking at programing the Mistking. What time of day is the best for it to "rain" in my vivarium?

[Vivariums In The Mist]

Time is really up to you and depends when you have day/night cycle set up as far as the lights being on. However, don't mist too close to when the lights go off. You want to give time for the plants to dry off a bit.

Thank you for the information regarding the UV. Makes things a lot easier. I am looking at programing the Mistking. What time of day is the best for it to "rain" in my vivarium?

[deranged chipmunk]

That's going to be up to you. I hand mist, so I can't really tell you when to most. I know many people most for a few seconds at a time, several times/day.


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

[EMCookjb]

I have been able to maintain 91% humidity in the tank. Is that high enough for dart frogs?

[deranged chipmunk]

That will work.


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

[deranged chipmunk]

how are things going John? make any progress?

[EMCookjb]

Thank you for asking. I have stabilized the humidity at 91%. I added some leaf litter. The top couple of inches are "moist" but not soaking wet. I also don't see any water in the bottom of the tank. I have the time to mist twice a day for 3 minutes. I am thinking its time to get some plants and springtails. I am trying to decide whether to get tinks, specifically patricias, or leuks. I am thinking of placing the order for plants within the next week or so. I am reading up on how to "plant" those plants. I am realizing this is not like outside landscaping. Any suggestion will help. I am hoping to make decisions on the type of plants by the weekend.

John

[DigitalPunk]

I am WAY late in responding on this build again, but wanted to chime in. It is looking really good!

As Bill said I am a HUGE fan of the cork Panels. I have one tank currently that has it on 3 sides and I love the look it gives the tank. Plants freely grown on it and the moisture it holds helps keep the humidity a bit more stable.

For an automatic misting system I do the following (I am not saying I am right, but this is what is working great for me.) My MistKing system comes on every 3 hours and runs for 20 seconds. It comes on right after the lights come on and mists the last time 30mins before the lights go out. It keeps the tanks humidity up without over watering my plants. During the summer months I might reduce the misting duration from 20 seconds down to 15 because the house air wont be as dry.

Substrate - If you haven't already (and it doesn't sound like you have unless I missed the post) you should pour some destilled water onto your substrate and fill your drainage layer up till it is 1"- 1/2" from your soil. The water in the drainage layer will help maintain the tanks humidity and will also be a breeding ground for your springtail colony you add in. When pouring the water in be sure to spread it around the substrate. It's good for the whole thing to stay moist but not soaking wet.

I love the Mist Head mount you came up with! Very creative!

[EMCookjb]

When ordering plants, how I do know how many to buy? I am looking at getting creeping figs, calathea "medallion" and moss.

John

[EMCookjb]

Paul,

Thank you for the advice regarding adding water to the drainage layer. I was able to use the pump to fill the drainage layer from the bottom up. I also poured some water into the top of the soil layer as well, using the idea from Bill about putting tubing into the drainage layer. I have been using distilled and reverse osmosis water. I altered the misting schedule as you have it. I will alter it as needed so that the soil is moist but not soggy. I hoping to make a decision over the weekend regarding plants.

John

[deranged chipmunk]

I normally plant light and let stuff grow in. You can always add more plants later


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

[EMCookjb]

I got my plants today. I ordered and planted one "Creeping fig", two Dieffenbachia or Star Brights, and some mood moss. I also added about half a culture of springtails. The other half, hopefully, was added to a box for culturing. I also did some rearranging of the driftwood. Now comes the hard part, patience. I am having issues loading pictures. I will load when I can.

Here is a link to my photobucket account with the some of the pictures.
http://s316.photobucket.com/user/jbc...og%20Sanctuary

[EMCookjb]

For some reason, I am having some trouble uploading pictures. I have started developing a personal website for the vivarium. Here is the link:

JBsfrogsanctuary

My vivarium is no LIVE. Yeah. Thank you everyone for getting me to this point. I will continue to add to this thread with updates.

John