Getting Started with Darts

[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.

[DonLisk]

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.

What a nice viv. Will be some luck frogs going into there. Will be pretty sweet with some Bromeliads coming off the background. Well done.


As for the BIG snakes.... oh yeah, I'm with you there. Can't have them where I currently live, but a lemon Ball is on my list for someday.