55g FBT Vivarium

[ericbrookey]

I really like your setup and it looks great. To answer your question as to why they do not use the land, FBT prefer a 75% water / 25% land setup. I'd up the water volume in the viv if you can, they will prefer the water areas as you've already noticed.

As far as temperatures, everything I've ever read on these guys states they like it on the cool side, 68-75F. I'm sure healthy ones can survive 80F once in a while but you'll want to cool it down a bit for them in the long run.

Good advice mpmistr thank you. I was thinking along the same lines so I will figure out a way to increase the water %.
Might try a screen lid to lower temps.


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[mpmistr]

I noticed you mentioned the desire for moss, if you keep the humidity high enough you should be able to attach xmas/java moss to your driftwood that is partially submerged. I had good luck with xmas moss in the past, it doesn't grow very fast under water but attached to driftwood that is damp, it grows pretty quickly.

Terrestrial mosses are next to impossible to keep alive.

[privet01]

Though I agree that somewhere around 60 to 75 percent water is better for the typical FBT vivarium, you probably have plenty of water for the current number. So enjoy it for a while. It appears to me you did a good job giving both deep and shallow areas.

[ericbrookey]

Though I agree that somewhere around 60 to 75 percent water is better for the typical FBT vivarium, you probably have plenty of water for the current number. So enjoy it for a while. It appears to me you did a good job giving both deep and shallow areas.

I think so too but I may want to add 2 more in a couple months and stop with 8. Don't want to overcrowd but I've read they thrive in larger groups. In that case I think I would need to increase the water volume. I think I can bring the pond out more in the front of the tank so they have longer swim routes with a stacked flat rock climb and waterfall coming off the current land area. The ideas are flowing now!

Any ideas on a semi aquatic plant that will do ok planted among the river rocks without any coco substrate? Root base partially submerged...

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[ericbrookey]

I noticed you mentioned the desire for moss, if you keep the humidity high enough you should be able to attach xmas/java moss to your driftwood that is partially submerged. I had good luck with xmas moss in the past, it doesn't grow very fast under water but attached to driftwood that is damp, it grows pretty quickly.

Terrestrial mosses are next to impossible to keep alive.

Will the fbt be fine with 75% humidity in the long term? I would like to try out some pillow moss to cover their main house but think it needs more moisture than 50% and occasional hand spraying. Also not sure it will attach to the fake stone. Will try out the xmas/java, partial submerged and attached to the wood, great idea. Thanks!

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[mpmistr]

Will the fbt be fine with 75% humidity in the long term? I would like to try out some pillow moss to cover their main house but think it needs more moisture than 50% and occasional hand spraying. Also not sure it will attach to the fake stone. Will try out the xmas/java, partial submerged and attached to the wood, great idea. Thanks!

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I don't think humidity will be an issue at all since they'll be in the water most of the time. I would only mist if your terrestrial plants require it.

[ericbrookey]

I don't think humidity will be an issue at all since they'll be in the water most of the time. I would only mist if your terrestrial plants require it.

Awesome cause with my current glass top it's been staying around 70% with only twice a day hand misting for the plants. I might need to open it up with more screen less glass. I only have about 2 inches along the length of the back with wire screen.

Speaking of the screen, I'm glad I used a strong metal wire mesh. I was amazed the other day when one of them had climbed the entire height of the glass and was looking for a way out, which there wasnt. I know they are excellent escape artists but it seemed such a daunting task to get up that high. I think he wishes he was a tree frog!

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