Quote Originally Posted by DonLisk View Post
1. I usually use layers of earth, them coconut husk, then a forest mix. Are we all good with this?
Definitely

2. I have a fairly good amount of sphahnum moss. Will we be using some (closer to when we will introduce the frogs) beneath the leaf litter layer?
I haven't used any and would love to know how my dart viv would benefit from the moss under the leaf liter.

3. The plants. Of course, bromeliads. What other suggestions do you have? Which ones should be seeded and which ones should be planted?
This is where I have zero experience. Found my ivy didn't like damp conditions so I'm gonna learn something here.
Using moss has been for us to mimic as best the natural environment of the frogs. We have used pillow moss in most of our terrariums, including the vents, so far. I personally really like it as it can root (so to speak) and will live once well cared for, as opposed to sphagnum moss. The goal is also to keep the enclosure as moist as possible and moss really helps in our experience.

The downside to sphagnum moss is that I have read here on this forum, and elsewhere, that live cultures will hide in it, mostly pinhead crickets (as you know, fruit flies are worriless and are much easier food for darts). I’ve also read that some frogs will sometimes eat sphagnum moss, and it can be somewhat damaging, if not fatal. I think poison beauties can help us with this one.

As for plants… I’m with you on this one. Not my forte. When we first planted the vents terrarium, we put some tillandsia and poison beauties, and the vents breeder were apprehensive and warned me that they would not survive in the vents enclosure…. And they were right. It’s too humid and they don’t have time to dry, so they started rotting from the roots.

We will certainly plant some wandering jews in our vents enclosure… It could be a good one for the azureus too.