Some questions about live viv

[TwiAly]

Ok so I am wanting to change over to live viv's for my froggies and I have TONS of questions as I have never done this before. I got some great links from you guys in my plants post so I know where to order live plants from. But how do I know what is safe for which frog, or are they all pretty safe? I currently have 1 chubby frog (I know I have to use pots for his habitit because he'll dig the plants up if not), 1 dumpy tree frog, 1 cane toad (although he's not doing so good ), and I may be adding a tomato frog. Also by creating a living habitat its like creating its own eco systems right? What kind of clean up do I need to do? Do I change out the substrate completely and if so how often? What exactly do I use for the false botten and where can I get it? Does anyone have any tips, sites, anything that will talk me through this more?

And on a side note how long do I need to isolate a frog before introducing it to one of my main habitits (a friend may be needing to get rid of her dumpy tree frog)?

[Leefrogs]

First, welcome to the forum. Second, all these have seperate vivs right? None of these should be mixed, at all. Third, the search engine here is good. Lots of builds lately with pictures, that show step by step. False bottom is for water falls and filtration, drainage layer is all that's needed fir a planted terrarium.

30 days quarrntine for new additions. But whites will eat smaller frogs, make sure he's big enough to add, as stress of being eaten is just as bad. They should be close to the same size

[TwiAly]

Yes they are all in their own viv's I know not to keep them all together. I knew they need to be close in size to live together, I just wasn't sure how long I needed to isolate the new one for. Thanks so much for the info.

My issues with building a live viv isn't what one looks like its:

How do I know what plant from the sites are safe for which frog, or are they all pretty safe?

Also by creating a living habitat its like creating its own eco system?

What kind of clean up do I need to do?

Do I change out the substrate completely and if so how often?

Thanks

[Leefrogs]

The true eco-systems are the ones with darts in it. The poops are zoo toney the plants use it for nutients. They also are seeded with spring tails that do the cleaning up. Unfortnately with WTF you will need to pickup poop you easily see, like the ones that don't land in the plants. You change out your moss once a month or when it looks like it's decomposing. you can make a drainage layer type hill and excess water will drain forward for you to suck up with a turkey baister. As stagnant water harbors bacteria.

Plants is a touchy subject, I found a site with suggested list of plants for vivs, and it had suggested umbrella plants. It almost killed my frog. So always cross referance 2/3 times with a toxicity list. You want strong plants for WTF like snake plant, fiddle leaf fig, corn plants, ponytail, jade, or hybiscus. Most stores have nice plants for cover also like prayer plant, pothos, peace lily, palm, and draceana. When it comes to use of philodendron, always have full scientific name and google that. Over half are toxic. Same with use of ficus. These are on recomended plant lists, but always double check. Unless, you're buying from a frog supply, they only sell plants that they use for their own frogs. But variety there is usually limited