Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am going to start some arrow frogs and need to know some good plants and backgrounds. I also wanted to know how to build a waterfall and know if I needed some fans or not. I have an oceanic reptile tank 16in high 24in long and 18 in deep.
plz help

Welcome to the world of dart frogs. They are fascinating animals and I'm sure that you will do well as long as you are well prepared and take everything slowly. Part of the lure that draws people to keeping dart frogs is the terrarium they are kept in. There are many great websites out there that can probably help you out with general tips and how to's more than a forum will but if you are looking for individual oppinions here are mine.

I've used many of the common commercially availible backgrounds availible. Cork bark looks great and adds texture to the back wall but it repels water and not all plants can be trained to climb up it. Tree fern root pannels are easy to mount epiphytic plants onto and the dark color looks great but they are part of an endangered plant so besides increasing the demand for an endangered plant, purchasing them also costs more money than other backgrounds. Coco-husk fiber pannels fall apart, look bad and don't work well for growing plants. Vivaria project's coco-pannels are awesome and are my personal favorite. They hold moisture and most plants will grow on them. You can purchase them from www.herpsupplies.com

As for what plants to use its really up to you. Most tropical plants from plant nurseries will do well in dart frog terrariums. Some grow too large and others will often grow too quickly and take over the tank. Pothos, philodendrons, arrow head vines and peperomia species seem to almost always do well. Bromeliads are used by some species of dart frogs as egg laying sites and most dart frogs will also use them for resting in. Small species of Neoregelias and Vriesas will work well in a terrarium that is your size. Here are some links to help you:

http://www.blackjungle.com/basics.htm
http://www.doylesdartden.com/housing.htm
http://www.wildsky.net/vivarium/evivariu.htm - Many pictures to be inspired by
http://www.gsctech.com/~uofrboy/frogvivarium.html
http://www1.tip.nl/~t272198/index.htm
www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/tropicalterrarium.html
www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/waterfall.html
-----
Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
3.2 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
2.1 Mantella crocea
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.1 Phelsuma dubia
1.1 Uroplatus ebenaui
0.0.1 Chrysemys scripta
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

Thank you