Getting Started with Darts

[ViperJr]

Mighty fine Stanton, mighty fine.

[MikeM670]

The tank is looking very good. And the fact your going to have to let it sit for a few weeks in not a bad thing. It will let the foam and silicone cure longer before you get your frogs.

If your going to get it all planted up before you go then it will have a chance to grow in. Just make sure you have it properly covered and someone to keep it moist.

[bshmerlie]

Looks great Stanton. This is your first tank and you will find it gets easier each time you do another one. You will learn from this build and you will find easier ways to to things. You will develop your own style. This will hopefully be one of many. Keep it up.

[Grrrit]

Looking good brother! Non toxic acrylic paint can be applied just as well instead of the silicon to hide the GS. I used that in a few of mine. Its going to look a little tacky, but I have to go back and cover some of the already done tanks from the outside.

[MeTree]

Thank you guys all so much for the comments, imput, and suggestions! You have all helped me get into a hobby that seemed way too diffecult a month ago. I am really looking foward to getting some dart frogs jumping around the tank. This has been such a neat project.

Thank you SO MUCH Cheri for funding this project also! I never would have made it here without it, and I greatly appreciate it!

Here are some pictures of the pretty-much-finished vivarium. It looks very, very nice, though it may be a little bit hard to see from the pictures (I couldn't find my camera so I used a web-cam). It is my own piece of a beautiful tropical jungle.

[bshmerlie]

Ok im definately going to have to send you some more soil. Obviously didnt have enough to get the hillside look. We'll work on plants more when you get back from your trip. Something taller on the sides. Broms will be coming from Joshs maybe i'll get some others from there as well. Have fun on your trip and we'll talk plants when you get back. More soil and lights are on there way. Looks good Stanton...can't wait for the frogs.

[MeTree]

Thank you so much Cheri! I really appreciate it!

[guppygal]

Very nice, Stanton, especially for your first vivarium. May I suggest about a half dozen more plants? Darts get a bit nervous if they don't have enuf places to hide. Lowes usually has a lot of terrarium/vivarium sized plants. Show 'em a pix of your new frog and they'll be like putty in your hands - you might be able to get the plants cheap. I've been able to pick up some spike moss, silver philodendron, bunches of already-flowered bromeliads and others. I'll put together a care package for you when we come to visit and deliver your frog.

Bromeliads are very popular with pdfs. I've seen mine tuck themselves between the leaves for the night. You can attach a bare-root brom to the background with silicone or anchor it with toothpicks. They're pretty forgiving. Also, if you have one of those big nursery stores nearby, check in the back for a big piece of dried bamboo. Cut some of it down to 4" - 6" inches and bury part of it in the substrate at an angle. My frogs love the bamboo hides.

One thing to remember about the plants. I love orchids and I would love to put one of those moth orchids in a vivarium, but the frogs think the broad leaves are a great place to poop. Not too pretty after awhile. If you ever locate a mini-oncidium, it might work out okay, tho they require a bit of air movement. I found several at Lowe's, and so far, so good.

One more thing about the plants, in case someone hasn't mentioned it before. You will want to clean them with water mixed with 5-10% bleach. It kills all the nasties that might be on the the plants. You'll always want to remove the plants from their original containers because of the fertilizer and other soil additives used by garden centers. We can't have our frogs ingesting anything that might not come out the other end....

Holler if I can help or if I need to clarify something, okay?

kristi

[bshmerlie]

I get most of my plants at Lowes too. Kristi would you be willing to make a plant package for him? Ill of course compensate you for them. I'll have Joshs send some broms for the back wall. Anything else you can think of? When you drop off the frog maybe you could help him with plant layout. I'd appreciate it.

[guppygal]

I get most of my plants at Lowes too. Kristi would you be willing to make a plant package for him? Ill of course compensate you for them. I'll have Joshs send some broms for the back wall. Anything else you can think of? When you drop off the frog maybe you could help him with plant layout. I'd appreciate it.

You betcha!! We'll get him fixed up. We went to the Repticon this past Saturday and added to our already over-stocked supply of frog-related stuff, so no problem there at all. I like to go to those things because I get to hold the BIG snakes. Can't have one, tho - hubby's motto is 'wife bring home little snake, lose large husband'. Oh well, at least I have my priorities somewhat in order.