Fire belly toads abode (new look)

[rosaphile]

Fantastic!!! I'm going to have to steal an idea or two when I build my own FBT habitat, hehe.

[s6t6nic6l]

/jealous. It looks amazing.

i'm glad you feel that way about my efforts on this and thanks for all your supportive views throughout this thread

Fantastic!!! I'm going to have to steal an idea or two when I build my own FBT habitat, hehe.

thank you and if it gives you any inspiration at all then by all means use it.

ok was late when posted pics and really should have posted footnotes so i will give a few here for anyone interested.
pic#1: brown algae forming at the cascade and in the pool
pic#2: TOADS EYE VIEW. this is the ultimate goal to make them feel to be at home in a natural enviroment.
pic#3: **scenery**
pic#4: ***pics****
pic#5: this is a moonlight LED which shines on the pool only so as to leave the land area in the dark.
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pic#1: green algae on the submerged vine. the pool area also has algae growing but gets removed with my fortnightly 100% water change.
pic#2: algae growth can be seen on the pool bank. the anubias is growing exceptionally well. (waterfall ledge helps oxygenate the pool also)
pic#3: plants and the ivy doing nicely along the wall. as it grows i will be able to start guiding it along between the "rocks".
pic#4: plants along the back and side wall. moss doing well with cress like plants showing through and orange/yellow mushrooms scattered around.
pic#5: clean up artist employed and i now have fresh moss growing from the "carpet" which i'm more than happy about(no more trips to the woods)

i still want to improve the "enclave" further by removing and utilising the space between the "rocks" for an even better look but that will be some time yet and it will be more than suffice for them in the time being.
thanks for all your views and comments on this project.
nic

[s6t6nic6l]

UPDATE: algae, plants, moss and pool
the anubias now. so the water and light conditions seem to be ideal at the moment for this plant. green algae now on the rock wall and pool bank giving a more natural look still further to the "enclave".

green algae now grows all over the cascade area including the vine rising from the pool that gets splashed on. the pool wall and floor also as a green hue now which gives it a nice look. so we're at the stage where the pool section is getting the weathered look.

pic showing the pool bank with the nice green algae growing along there. this exposed area of the moss carpet is doing well with the light and frequent misting of rainwater it gets. new type of plant growth from the moss is a nice surprise too. if you look closely at the wood in the middle of the pic you can see moss growing on there too now which i assume is spores from the moss that must be acclimatizing well to the conditions here.


and may i thank those that voted to make this the enclosure of the month for march

nic

[s6t6nic6l]

UPDATE PICS: algae & new plant growth 6 weeks on with some close up shots

cascade ledge. my best feature of the build for me for the relaxing sound of running water, agitating and oxygenating the pool.

pool pic. the floor of the pond was covered with the stone floor look due to me not liking the idea of introducing any gravel into the area. gravel just harbours dirt, unwelcome bacteria, build up of their toxins, which is awful scum to be kept in the water section really and the unnecessary (must do) chore of having to rinse it all out with every water change which you need to do to keep the pool water in good condition for the toads welfare.

pool pic#2. algae allowed to grow now by the process of dabbing the pool area clean so as to not scrape any away from the floor or pool walls. natural food source for taddies if any spawned.

pic showing the growth spurt of the new plant from the moss carpet and how the moss is starting to spread and grow on the branch.

pool bank. i change the water level every now and then to see what bearing it has on the toads behaviour patterns. here shows my minimum level which i prefer for the look it gives to the pool area but find they like the level higher so they can bask on the bank half submerged. the subtle tones from the undercoat and paint then the ingrained colour from the algae is making for a nice stone effect pool bank now

thanks for looking

nic

[Ribbity]

this looks really awesome!

I've just got myself 2 FBT and am looking at different styles of set-ups, you've really got my imagination flowing with the woodland theme. I was wondering how you would go about cleaning it and if you could tell me what types of water plants you introduced and whether any normal fish tank plants would be good? also can any indoor plants be placed in the tank or does it have to be specific types?
I seemed to have noticed that you can pretty much put anything in with them so long at it is cleaned thoroughly first.

Thanks for sharing, you have done a really good job!

[s6t6nic6l]

this looks really awesome!

I've just got myself 2 FBT and am looking at different styles of set-ups, you've really got my imagination flowing with the woodland theme. I was wondering how you would go about cleaning it and if you could tell me what types of water plants you introduced and whether any normal fish tank plants would be good? also can any indoor plants be placed in the tank or does it have to be specific types?
I seemed to have noticed that you can pretty much put anything in with them so long at it is cleaned thoroughly first.
Thanks for sharing, you have done a really good job!

as far as the cleaning regime would go in your enclosure, this will be entirely dependant on the setup you do so would not be able to advise apart from try to refrain from using gravel if possible as a pool floor covering, if meant you were wondering about my maintenance on the abode this takes me 15 mins fortnightly on the pool replenishment and water feature filter cleansing for the reason that the pool does not get dirty from soil/earth etc and the water used. the land section i don't touch. the best pool plant for the toads is the anubias due to the broad leaves for them to rest on and for the use of shelter too and is fairly easy to keep. most household plants can be used on land but be aware of the temperature you keep the enclosure at for the plant you use and that the plant is not an irritant species. then it comes to the light requirements of the plant!!. for you ribbity, seeing as where you live, i would recommend a trip to the woods and collect a carpet of moss for the land covering then place your decor on top for the reasons here: this stops your substrate being brought into the pool/water section by the toads(as stated), looks natural, bring in micro-fauna for the toads and setups benefit and could have extra plant life with it. collect the moss from a shaded area of the woods too!!.

thanks for the praise

nic

[Ribbity]

as far as the cleaning regime would go in your enclosure, this will be entirely dependant on the setup you do so would not be able to advise apart from try to refrain from using gravel if possible as a pool floor covering, if meant you were wondering about my maintenance on the abode this takes me 15 mins fortnightly on the pool replenishment and water feature filter cleansing for the reason that the pool does not get dirty from soil/earth etc and the water used. the land section i don't touch. the best pool plant for the toads is the anubias due to the broad leaves for them to rest on and for the use of shelter too and is fairly easy to keep. most household plants can be used on land but be aware of the temperature you keep the enclosure at for the plant you use and that the plant is not an irritant species. then it comes to the light requirements of the plant!!. for you ribbity, seeing as where you live, i would recommend a trip to the woods and collect a carpet of moss for the land covering then place your decor on top for the reasons here: this stops your substrate being brought into the pool/water section by the toads(as stated), looks natural, bring in micro-fauna for the toads and setups benefit and could have extra plant life with it. collect the moss from a shaded area of the woods too!!.

thanks for the praise

nic

Thanks nic, that was what ive been looking for. see ive just recently bought my FBT's and am looking at different tank themes. i really like your woodland style and may have to cheekily steal the idea :P

im phil btw and would be cool to chat some more sometime!