60 Gallon Cubed Dart Frog Sanctuary

[jarteta97]

Hey Bill, I have a question for you regarding misting, because I hand mist like you. What's your schedule for misting and about how much distilled water do you use on say, a daily or weekly basis? I couldn't imagine doing more than 2 or 3 with hand misting, you're crazy!

[deranged chipmunk]

Hey Bill, I have a question for you regarding misting, because I hand mist like you. What's your schedule for misting and about how much distilled water do you use on say, a daily or weekly basis? I couldn't imagine doing more than 2 or 3 with hand misting, you're crazy!

well, first off, i use a 2 gallon pump mister.i go through 8 gallons of tap water/week. we actually have slightly acidic water in my city(6.8 pH), so i do not get water spots. i mist every night when i get home from work. i start with the tanks, and then move onto the plants on my baker's rack. takes me about 15 minutes. then another 15 minutes or so to feed the animals lol

[EMCookjb]

Josh,

Thank you for asking that question. I had not thought to ask how much water use people normally use, especially when using a Mistking system.

[EMCookjb]

After much research, I am going to place my order tomorrow night and hopefully they will be here for the weekend. I have decided to get one Fibus pumila (aka Creeping Fig) to put in kind of the middle of the tank and let it grow where it wants. I also decided on getting one or two Dieffenbachia (aka Star Bright) to put in the back third of the tank. I am also going to put moss along the wood and let it go. I am also getting a culture of springtails. I will put half in the tank this weekend and culture the other half. The plan is to decide on whether to go with "Patricias" or Leuks. I kind of like the larger size of the "Patricias" but also like the attitude of the lueks. Hmm ... decisions decisions.

I will post pictures this weekend. I found a really nice piece of driftwood at Petco and will probably do some reorganizing over the next couple of nights.

I have read about having to "prepare" plants before planting them. Since I am getting the plants from Josh's Frogs, do I still need to "process" them?

John

[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]

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

[EMCookjb]

Do I need to tie the moss to the driftwood or will it attach itself?

John

[deranged chipmunk]

actually, both, kind of. you can tie it on at first, but eventually, it will attach itself. i normally just lay pieces in where i want them. if it doesn't stay, i either move it, or if it is a spot where i REALLY think it is needed, i use a few drops of super glue.

[DigitalPunk]

I do the same as bill. Lay it where I want it and it will attach itself in a few short months. If it is in a spot where it wont easily stay I will either put a few drops of super glue behind it or tie it in place with fishing line.

[EMCookjb]

Thank you guys. That helps a lot.

John

[EMCookjb]

I finally figured out how to post pictures on here. Its been about 3 weeks since I planted the vivarium. I have exchanged 4 LED plant growth pods for 4 more cool white LED pods for a total of 8 pods. Its really starting to look good and the plants look like they are starting to settle in and get some real growth. Specifically, both of the Dieffenbachias 'Star Bright' have new plant growth. I have also added a bag of crushed leaves. There are also a full culture of spingtails in the tank. Thank you everyone for their advice. I have thoroughly enjoyed building this vivarium.

I am maintaining 75-80% humidity and 67 to 77 degrees in the vivarium. I using about a gallon of distilled water per week. I have two containers growing springtail cultures and waiting to get a culture of isopods from Josh's Frogs. I still haven't quite made up my mind regarding getting "patricias" or leuks. I am leaning toward the pats.

Got a question for the "veterans". I don't really want to breed PDFs. Are there ways to ensure that they don't breed and/or what can I do if they do breed?

John

Front view and Oh please don't mind my reflection.



Dieffenbachias 'Star Bright'



Creeping Fig

[Frogman1031]

It's looking really great! Pretty soon those plants will be huge!

I would never consider myself a veteran, but ways that I can think of the prevent breeding are
-buying frogs that are already sexed
-I have heard that some darts (like Leucs) are seasonal breeders so if you keep conditions consistent (as in no "dry season") they will be less likely to breed
-you could cull any eggs but I don't really recommend it.
-you could also sell the tads

those are just what I thought of but I'm sure there are better ways out there

[deranged chipmunk]

Cull eggs or get all the same gender. I cull and I use 'biologic birth control', Otherwise known as snails. Snails are notorious for eating frog eggs. But it's not a 100% effective methods.

You could always try froggie condoms


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

[EMCookjb]

I am doing my final bit of research regarding the type of PDF to get. I am looking for one that is bold, will climb the wood, and relatively large. My first thought was to get a Leucomela or a "patricia", but now I am wondering about getting an azeureus. Any thoughts or insights would be helpful.

John