Posted by:
slaytonp
at Wed Sep 14 19:57:10 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by slaytonp ]
If you have a substantial drainage layer, you do not need to keep your plants in pots. One of the joys of dart frogs is that all you need to clean is the glass, spritz the poop off of the plant leaves and trim excess plant growth when needed. You will need some sort of simply way to drain off the water that accumulates in the drainage area, and hopefully, you have a barrier between this and the cocoas fiber such as a layer of weed inhibitor cloth or something that will keep the cocoanut fiber from filtering down and eventually clogging the drainage layer. A simple way to drain off any excess misting water from the drainage layer is to put a length of aquarium air hose tubing to the bottom in one corner and over the side to a lower level. You can just siphon off the excess into a container, using a 60 cc vet. syringe as a siphon starter and water house plants with this. The plants utilize the "fertilizer" from the frogs and if it is set up right, you end up with a biologically balanced system that needs no complete take-downs and cleaning for years. Be sure you have an enclosed top to hold humidity and prevent escapes. I use hinged glass lids that fit the tank closely and tape down any possible means of escape from the back plastic flap. Some people cover a fitted screen with Saran Wrap. Lighting can vary, and is mostly for viewing and for plant growth. The frogs will need vitamin dusted live food such as fruit flies, which you will want to cultivate, but there are a lot of posts on this already, so a search here may be helpful. Breeders usually supply culture kits and flies as well. Pinhead crickets, springtails and rice flower beetle larvae are other options for some variety, but for most people, fruit flies are the mainstay diet.
Read the care sheets before deciding upon frogs, and do a net search of the various dealers. Saurian and Black Jungle are good sources for both, as well as being reliable frog dealers in my experience. There are others with excellent reputations as well, but these are the only two I have had personal experience with at this time.
D. leucomelas, Phyllobates terribilis are both inexpensive frogs for beginners and get along in groups quite well. Your tank is pretty small, so I wouldn't recommend more than two of the same species, of course. There are other good beginner frogs, but some easy ones are still rather expensive.
What are you using the pump for?
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho
4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
[ Hide Replies ]
- New to Darts - Predator03, Wed Sep 14 02:47:21 2005
 RE: New to Darts - slaytonp, Wed Sep 14 19:57:10 2005
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