I have been interested in building a vivarium for over a year now. The extent of my knowledge is from what I have read in the Living Vivarium section in Reptiles magazine for the past two years. I am currently using this for my reference on planting mixes and so on. I have owned red bellied toads before and they lived in a simple 20 gal tank with half gravel land and half water with java moss and plants, simple and practical. I also have been a boa/python and bearded dragon owner for a few years.

This time around I want to make a small ecosystem. The frogs I wish to live there are golden mantellas. The vivarium I am intersted in making is a small shoreline vivarium in a 29 gal aquarium. It is featured in the Oct 2001 issue of reptiles, with coincidentally golden mantellas living in it. I have chosen this because it is inexpensive, low maintenance and I feel a good beginning project.

I understand that I should have my vivarium for a few months before I add any animals to be sure it is stable. My main concern with a vivarium is cleaning. With frogs I know they make a lot of waste and cages normally need to be cleaned and water changed frequently. But to my knowledge, if I succesfully set up my vivarium, waste should be disposed of on its own? Tips will be greatly appreciated.

- Andrea

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