Hey guys!!

My name is Joshua. I am very excited to be a part of this forum! I have a few questions about the vivarium I am looking to set up for dart frogs and wanted some insight if you guys wouldn't mind helping me out.

So, I have a 30 gallon extra tall tank that I plan to make into my vivarium. From what I have read so far I understand that I need to create a falls bottom to allow the soil to wick up water as it is needed. Additionally, from what I understood, the frogs do not require any special lighting and so the lighting is just necessary for the plants ( I am familiar with plant lighting from a panther chameleon I own). Next, I had read that the frogs are fine at room temperature and that a slight temperature drop at night is a good thing. I also had read that humidity should be maintained between 80-100%. Below if it is okay I posted a few questions that I still have. If someone wouldn't mind answering them that would be amazing!!

1. As far as a falls bottom is concerned, what is the best way to construct the falls bottom and what materials should I use?


2. It seems like dart frogs can live on a diet of pin-head crickets, isopods, and flightless fruit flies. Is it okay to leave an excess of isopods in the tank to act as "garbage men" to keep the soil clean and eat all decomposing matter?

3. My biggest concern with setting up my vivarium is odor. I have a panther chameleon that had live plants and I had a huge problem with odor because of excessive watering due to the chameleons humidity requirement. Does creating a productive falls bottom prevent odor?

4. If odor becomes a problem from my vivarium, could I put a layer of carbon just above the falls bottom and below the soil to absorb odors?

5. I understand that there is a general rule of 10 gallons per frog. In a 30-gallon extra tall, could I squeeze 4 frogs in or 3 frogs maximum?

6. I read that certain species do not do well in packs. Could I place a dendrobate auratus 'costa rican green and black', dendrobate tinctorius 'french guiana Dward cobalt', dendrobate tictorius 'azureus,' and a dendrobate tictorius 'patricia?'

7. What is the best substrate to use for my vivarium?

8. I have seen many vivariums where the background of the tank seems to give the illusion that it is natural rock. Does anyone have a link with a tutorial on how to make something like that?

Thanks so much for all your help guys,

Joshua Seidman