Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am seriously considering owning a better set of frogs. the frogs i have now just sit in the terrarium at the top and thats it. the pacific tree frog is a little more active and not a fan of climbing but there is still alot missing. ----but to the point i have seen some fantastic terrariums built with coco panel and cork bark but the question is has anyone experimented with foam? ---- i saw on the Black Jungle web site a tall oaks terrarium with a foamed and then siliconed back. is this a nice way to make a perminant terrarium?
p.s. i am planning this for darts or mantellas
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Richard
AKA
"spent change"

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1) pacific tree frog "spinach frog"
2) green tree frogs

are you planning on just ditching your frogs? who are you planning on giving them to? why did you get them in the first place? why didn't you find this out before buying them? why don't you just get darts and keep your other ones? is it that much effort to drop a few crix in every day? think about what you are doing about before you do it next time.

i never said i was getting rid of anything. wow just take a deep breath
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Richard
AKA
"spent change"

-----------------------
1) pacific tree frog "spinach frog"
2) green tree frogs

When I read your first post, I had the same impression. You were bored with them and didn't want them anymore. That is a bit insulting to the people on any animal forum.

Your frogs are nocturnal eh, that would by why they don't do much during the day ^^ Like it was said, read up on the frogs you get before you get them.
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I think my frog owns a megaphone....

sorry, wasn't really sure what you were talking about. now that i know what you were talking about i would be glad to help you i have 5 tanks with the foam, it's called "great stuff" and it works really well:
first get a tank and clean it out really well and dry it
then tilt the tank on it's back and put plant holders, drittwood... in the spots you want
then spray the foam around the stuff
then let it seal for 24 hours
get some DRY dirt (if it's wet it doesn't stick)
get black GE silicone II and put it all over the foam putting on the dirt as you go
then let it dry for 24 hours
vacuum off the access and put more silicone and dirt on if there are any white spots

* use gloves, the foam literally makes your hands sticky for a week

* work in small patches at a time for the silicone so it doesn't dry while the dirt isn't on it

after the backgrounds done put the plants, substrate... and your frog in
feel free to ask more questions.
here are some of the tanks i have with the foam background:

exactly!! those look pefect for what i want. before i was just trying to say that my collection is not yet complete. i have noticeable yet motionless frog now and would like to own some that hide, but jump around as well. i love my pacific tree frog and thats why i got some GTF to keep her company. i hope to have enough room to expand my collection soon.

thanks for the foam info

hopefully next time i can start off on a better foot
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Richard
AKA
"spent change"

-----------------------
1) pacific tree frog "spinach frog"
2) green tree frogs

sorry again, wasn't really sure what you were talking about. it sounds like you take very good care of your animals. if you have any more questions i would be glad to help.

You will certainly enjoy some of the dart species if you like activity. There are some shy species and morphs, however--so you'll want to choose a specie among those with bold reputations like the tinctorius, leucomelas, most auratus (except for some of the blue morphs) azureus, galactonotus, or even the little thumbnails of the imitator/intermedius group.

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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris

i have been reading everything i can find and even printing out the info and keeping it in a notebook. i have taken alot that you have said into consideration over the last week and i am trying to narrow it down between the Leuc's and the Imitators. i want a sizable group and those fit the bill. one thing i have been wondering about is Epipedobates. it seems like no one has any of these. i have read up on them and they seem like a good species for what i want in a frog.
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Richard
AKA
"spent change"

-----------------------
1) pacific tree frog "spinach frog"
2) green tree frogs

Hey:

You're going to LOVE the darts if you want to see action. I've had Tree frogs, toads anoles, turtles and Darts are the most interactive of all.

The foam background really is the ideal way IMO for a more permanent tank. I have only 3 tanks presently, but the one that prospers the most by animal reproduction and by plant life is the one with foam. While all substrate, interior wood and plant life continues to breakdown, change and need replacing the foam has served nicely as a permanent fixture in the tank by which the most moisture resistent pieces of wood have had a sturdy anckor to keep them fixed. In other tanks, where I had used the silcone bark pieces to glass method, the wood was always in need of maintanence within a couple to 3 years. The foam is so sturdy for the dart frog environment and my smallest(Imitators)live in this tank without a worry of shifting pieces of wood. They are reproducing like mad inside now. I find new tads weekly.

Black Jungle has the best step by step including supplies to add wood(pick the most water resistent if you add it to the back ground though), plant pockets into the foam, and water hose splitter if you want to add a dripping area to the background and additional liveliness to the "ecosystem" on top of the livelier frogs. I have never gotten bored with all that happens with these frogs, the plant life, the ecosystem with this method of keeping as I had too wished for more to interact with when I had no darts only tree frogs, toad, and limited plant life tank.

Show us your masterpiece!

Maggie

Maggie--I wish you would post some pictures of your vivariums on the gallery here to share with us.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris