Can I use my 90 gallon drilled as a vivarium for Dart Frogs?

[Cody]

I have a 90 gallon drilled aquarium (48" L x 18" W x 24" H) which has an overflow (used for an aquarium). I recently have kind of moved away from my saltwater aquarium project and have always thought of having some sort of terrarium (vivarium basically, having frogs and plants, etc.) but never ventured into the idea. I was wondering if I could use the tank and just section off where the overflow box is, for poison dart frogs? I read that dart frogs prefer to be close to the ground / on the ground so I figured that it being longer would be a good thing but it has a fairly tall height I'd think as well.

Here's a picture of the aquarium... of course it has aquarium supplies in it but I possibly plan on selling them if I'm gonna acquire some frogs and start this up!


I have two glass tops which I currently don't have pictures of on my image account but they're hinged and I could tape down one side all the way and then have the other side open-able for maintenance I guess. I have two because of the frame in the middle, of course (or obviously if you prefer that word).

Thanks in advance! I'd appreciate any feedback!

[BG]

I love your idea. I would use the over flow box for drainage. I wouldn't put a hollow bottom . After you put your substrate, driftwood , moss , plants and a misting system(on a timer) you will be ready to go . The excess water ,condensation will drip in a container inside the cabinet below. There's not much water to think about flooding. I would use a pad to keep the substrate from going in the over flow box. I have seen this system on display . The plants will grow so thick that you don't need to worry about humidity .It was one of the best Viv's i have ever seen.

[MikeM670]

Yes you can use the tank for dart frogs. Just seal off the top of the overflow with a piece of glass and silicone so the frogs can't get in there. That way if you want to ever go back to saltwater you just remove the glass cover. 90 Gallon would make a great dart tank. Are you thinking of a water feature with a tank that size? You will want to have glass tops that fit the entire frame or is possible a small vented strip along the front. There are many vivariums to look at here and other forums to give you plenty of ideas.

Welcome to the dart side!

[Cody]

How would I use it for drainage? I don't exactly understand the whole concept of drainage and having a pond in the tanks..although I think a waterfall would be AWESOME. And "Welcome to the dart side" was funny xD... I was just watching a video of this kid who made a homemade mister using a humidifier, and was thinking maybe I could do that with the overflow holes that're drilled...

[MikeM670]

Yes you could setup a fogger to utilize the overflow holes. You just have to make sure they are screened to keep the frogs from getting into them. You need a false bottom in the tank made of either egg crate or expanded clay balls. This allows any water to sit below the substrate which you want moist but not soaking wet. For a water feature there are many ways to do it. I would recommend doing a bunch of research here and on other forums to see how some people do them. The one caveat I will say about water features is they are extremely difficult to do right without good planning.

Here is a link to my 55 Gallon Build that shows you one technique. http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...ium-build.html

[Cody]

You were saying I could use the overflow for drainage...what did you mean?

Edit: Oh, I'm sorry, BG was the one who said that.

[BG]

The system that I'm talking about has a drainage system and your overflow box does have a drain at the bottom . this way your tank will allways have clean water goung through. This type of system is not for holding a pool for the frogs . It's for a lush plants,and dart frogs low maintenance system thats all.

You were saying I could use the overflow for drainage...what did you mean?

Edit: Oh, I'm sorry, BG was the one who said that.

[DonLisk]

Wow Mike, the viv we could build with that baby. :-)

That is one nice tank for a vivarium and some dart frogs.