Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I've been thinking about getting into dart frogs for a while now and have finally decided to try them. I'm very tight on space, though, and the room they're going in is oddly shapped. I can't decided on what types of tanks to use. I was thinking about using 15g tanks because they offered a bit more surface area and I could keep groups together for those darts that do better in groups. 15g tanks are more than 2X as expensive as standard 10g tanks so am I correct in thinking this way? Also, would it be OK if I placed these tanks together perpendicular to the wall (so they take up less room sideways)? I ask this because I'm planning on using only a 4ft twin tube shoplight. I'm going to reflect as much light as I can downward with wood and aluminum foil. I don't really want to create super elaborate setups or keep plans that require intense lighting. Just easy low-light plants. Please recommend some if you know of any. Thanks for your time.

I'm trying to get the "perpendicular" picture here. You mean you will use the tanks horizontally (not make taller verticals out of them) in the normal position for an aquarium, but orient them with one side toward the wall? You could put them "back to back" this way, with the two backgrounds together, and the front viewing portion on either side, and still use the same lighting plan. Or you could stack them on two shelves or racks with room enough for regular aquarium reflector fluorescent lighting over each and orient them facing the room. Also, Petco has metal racks that will hold up to a 30 gallon on each level with room for a fluorescent reflector, or you might find something cheaper in Home Depot that's more adjustable for height. I have one of the Petco racks for a couple of tanks that works for me just fine, although the lower tank is just a bit tight for raising the hinged glass top.

What kind of top are you planning to use? I'm a proponent of the hinged glass lids with the plastic back-flaps that can be cut to admit any tubing or wiring from the rear, and generally fit tightly--although I've learned to also tape down the flap because frogs have been known to lift it and escape--See the recent discussions on cracks and space.

While lighting is important for your plants, especially if you have any of the blooming sort, or colorful bromeliads and want them to retain their color, the frogs don't really need much, as you obviously already know. One thing to keep in mind, is the farther away your lighting is, the less effective it is, but the closer, as with aquarium hoods resting right on the top, the more it will tend to heat up your tank. There always seems to be a trade-off somewhere.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

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

Sorry for not making myself clear. I don't plan on placing the tanks together lengthwise but rather width-wise so I can fit more of them along a wall. A standard 10 is 20"X10", I'm going to put them so that the 10" side is facing the front. I was just a little concerned that since the shoplight would only be running through the center of each tank (and not the length), that plans wouldn't get enough light. Now I'm thinking they will though so long as I stick to easy plants.

Also, what tank sizes do you guys recommend for certain species? Such as those that do best in pairs or groups. Thanks for your time.

Most of us in the hobby raise darts because they are beautiful to look at and interesting to watch in a natural habitat with the broadest view possible. So we generally orient them for the best view of them, which is certainly not on edge, but from the broadest perspective, the widest point-- the front of the tank. A side view would be like enjoying a painting by looking at it from one edge of the frame. With this orientation, you would seldom even see your frogs, let alone appreciate their antics and yes, even individual personalities.

Otis has a point I wasn't considering. Build your first tank, then get perhaps one pair of darts first, or even just a single one, whatever your preference. Ten gallons isn't much space for any of them, but is possible. Start with two leucomelas, two auratus, as your best bet for a ten, or a single tinctorius or azureus. But above all orient their tanks so you can enjoy them, which is not "on edge."
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

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

If you believe 10-gallons are too small, how about 15 gallon tanks? I was visiting Blackjungle.com and they said certain frogs did best in groups, I believe auratus and leucomelas were among them. I would very much prefer to not place my tanks on edge but that would cut the number of darts I could keep by half or more. I would still need some room for my fruitflies and tadpole raising areas.
I've had auratus in the past but had to sell them when I went to college so there is no way I could fail with them. Now I'd like to set up a bunch of tanks and breed them. I find them very easy, much easier than other animals I keep.

Thanks a lot for your help.

i would suggest starting off with one pair of darts and seeing if you have any luck with those before you go out and buy and make a lot of tanks. good luck!