Fireball, young male frog

[jasonm96]

Eco earth pretty much is the safest substrate to use and there are no safer alternatives other than paper towels, which are completely unnatural, need changed every day and don't allow for burrowing. Make sure temps are fine and healthy frogs should pass coir (eco earth) fine

[Cliygh and Mia 2]

Could he have eaten something before you got him? That's what I think is going on

[Baloo]

Could he have eaten something before you got him? That's what I think is going on

Well I've had him for quite a few months. Maybe it was lack of the UVB light. He had it just a few hours a day, shared with fire bellies. Now they have it each till evening. I got 1 tomato frog left, an adult female. She's in the 36"L x 18"D by herself. I don't know if I should get another tomato or wait a so many years till she's gone and get a beginner dart frog. Considering I'd have to have the dart frog shipped (none available where I live), I might go for the first idea.

[jasonm96]

You could wait until then and get darts but I mean a 36 x 18 x 18 inch terrarium is going to cost a bomb to set up for darts and keep in mind it will need a few modifications, finer mesh, sealing the gaps in the doors and some glass on top of the screen. If you're beginning with darts you'd probs be best getting a smaller viv and a custom one designed for darts. I'd personally get another tomato frog, or even 2 more as you could easily fit that amount in that size of viv and just install a 2% UVB tube inside.

[Baloo]

You could wait until then and get darts but I mean a 36 x 18 x 18 inch terrarium is going to cost a bomb to set up for darts and keep in mind it will need a few modifications, finer mesh, sealing the gaps in the doors and some glass on top of the screen. If you're beginning with darts you'd probs be best getting a smaller viv and a custom one designed for darts. I'd personally get another tomato frog, or even 2 more as you could easily fit that amount in that size of viv and just install a 2% UVB tube inside.

By bomb are we talking more like a few hundred or upwards of $1,000+ ? I don't know of anyone in my area that would do it. Pets Unlimited does an amazing job where I live on their own but their employees (or at least the woman I talked to who felt she could talk for everyone) said they wouldn't risk doing it for a customer cause of possible damages by accident. So tomato may be the best opinion like you said.

[jasonm96]

Don't think that much but probably a couple hundred due to the size of the tank and if it's your first time keeping darts and something goes wrong, that could be a lot of money down the drain if you have to take the viv apart. However, I suppose you could rinse and reuse the plants and if you have had experience with planted set ups and quarantine the animals properly you might not need to worry about it. Personally I would start off with a smaller viv and then when I'd be confident try a large tank. By dart frog tank I mean you actually get tanks designed for darts, so they hold humidity well and prevent fruit fly escapes, they're quite cheap as well but you'll still have to do the planting yourself unless you can find a place that will do it for you as well.

[Baloo]

Don't think that much but probably a couple hundred due to the size of the tank and if it's your first time keeping darts and something goes wrong, that could be a lot of money down the drain if you have to take the viv apart. However, I suppose you could rinse and reuse the plants and if you have had experience with planted set ups and quarantine the animals properly you might not need to worry about it. Personally I would start off with a smaller viv and then when I'd be confident try a large tank. By dart frog tank I mean you actually get tanks designed for darts, so they hold humidity well and prevent fruit fly escapes, they're quite cheap as well but you'll still have to do the planting yourself unless you can find a place that will do it for you as well.

Nova Scotia I can't even find a place or person selling dart frogs, and without a car I can't get out west. However my friends and I are planning a road trip to Quebec, so its possible to look into a viv at that time. I'll wait and see and maybe get a small one. Doesn't seem to be a strong interest in frogs where I live, so I haven't even seen a viv to buy anywhere. Just in pictures and some setups similar to it for Firebellies.