First PDF Viv

[PeteF]

First off, hello and nice website you have here, very slick and informative. On to my main query....I have a roommate who is moving out and taking his 30g reef tank with him, leaving a glaring empty spot in our living room. I thought now would be a perfect time to dive in to the dart frog world and put together a full-on planted (foam background, etc...) display viv to fill that empty spot. Thing is, I've never kept dart frogs and would appreciate some advice on what direction to go in (tank-wise). I have two 20H and two 10g to play with, though will only set up two at most. The vertical conversion tanks I've seen on here are pretty spectacular, so I would like to do that, but again, I'm looking for suggestions. I've thought about getting thumbnails (like D. imitator), though I am by no means set on that. Any thoughts?
ps. I realize this would be more appropriate in the viv section, but I'm new, didn't want to re-post

[Kurt]

Welcome aboard. Check out John's article on Ranitomeya imitator. Link to the left. Personally I like Dendrobates tinctorius. Other beginner darts are Dendrobates auratus and D. leucomelas.

[John]

Welcome to the forum Pete. Your choice of terrarium (size and shape), as well as orientation, are greatly affected by which species you intend to keep. I like to keep imitator in pairs in vertical 10 g tanks (or the smallest tall Exo-terra or Zoo Med terrariums). For 2 pairs I would consider a vertical 20 g high or the 18 x 18 x 18 inch (45x45x45 cm) Exo-terra/Zoo Med terrariums. If you've more specific questions, please feel free to start new threads in the terrarium section.

[Ebony]

Welcome to the forum Pete .

[JimO]

Welcome Pete. Sounds like you're on the right track. Imitators are a good choice to shart with thumbnails. You might also consider one of the many D. tinctorius morphs that are pretty affordable. I started with D. tinctorius azureus a few years ago and I still think they are great. You also can't go wrong with any of the D. auratus morphs or the D. leucomela. All these are fairly easy to keep and a pair would do well in a 20 gallon in the horizontal orientation. For the Imitators, I'd recommend the vertical conversion kits. Glad to have you.

[Paul Rust]

Welcome Pete. You already have some great advice to go on.