Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is my 10g false bottom that I just set up. Any suggestions for the background? That is cocofiber and is not very thick so I wasnt sure what could grow on it. The fern in there is called sellaginella martinseii. Has anyone used that species? Oh, and from what ive read in previous posts, the growth of mold is not to be worried about. I'm not sure if you can see it in the picture, but the driftwood has develped quite a bit of it. Should I just let it run its course? I was getting ready to microwave it. And what type of lighting should I use? I am currently running a 15 watt reptiglo 2.0. What is best for pillow moss? Any otherthoughts/suggestions/opinions are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks.

Looks perfect so far. Anything that grows fast or vines will grow all over that background. You could also attach a couple broms or tillandsias.

Selaginella, or club moss, is great in a terrarium. I can't tell what species of it you have, but there are several, and most are good. I would silicone some cork bark on the background for texture, and add some bromeliads there, such as the smaller Neoregelias. For ten gallons, you don't want the larger species, so you'd have to ask the grower about size. It is frustrating to me that they usually don't list the size they will grow. Creeping vines like some small ficus and a miniature "duck foot" ivy are available on line. These will creep over your background without overwhelming it. The smaller Pilea and Peperomias are nice.

I'm adding a picture of a neat miniature fern--Nephrolepis "Suzie Wong." My favorite internet source for terrific terrarium plants, especially bromeliads, seems to have gone out of business, so I won't give it here, but you can do a search, and probably find others.

I posted a lot of pictures in the photo gallery of the plants I have when I first received them, although some of the best are missing, because I didn't take photos of them early on in the game. You can see them in the cages and vivariums gallery under slaytonp, if that will help.

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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

Thanks for the info. What do you all think sbout the mold thing? I was a bit surprised to see how quickly the mold set in. Also, what type of and how many frogs do you think would be well suited in this viv? thanks again.

Molds are more of an indication of health in a dart terrarium than a problem. They will come and go and are harmless. Just wipe them off the glass for vision. Mushrooms are a delight if they crop up. All will disappear too soon. After about four years, when no more molds grow and your vivarium becomes less viatal, is the time to revamp it.
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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

The general rule is 1 dart frog per 5 gallons. So you could keep 2 of the larger darts in this set up. I like to go bigger the better and have only 4 of the larger darts in 80 gallons, and keep no more than two of the thumbnails in 30. But you are beginning, and 10 gallon is what you have, and it will work.
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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

Thanks for the input everyone. Unfortunately, I found out that the background I was using would most likely rot away quickly, so I tore the whole thing down and I'm now doing the great stuff, coco fiber background. Whatta mess I made with the silicone! I make made the mistake of buying white colored silicone instead of black so now all the spots that I either missed with the coco fiber or that didnt stick properly are very visible. I'm hoping to get some plants to cover those sopts up, though. I'll post pics when I'm done. Any other suggestions?Thanks

It sounds like you're attaching the loose fiber, and yes, that would make a mess, for sure.

If you use the cocoanut fiber matting (the kind that welcome matts are made from) all you need to do is put the silicone around the outside edges with an X through the middle so it won't bulge, then press it to the glass. I use the clear GE Silicone I. It won't show through to the front and keeps the frogs from getting behind the matting. Plants attach to this just fine. I put it to the bottom of the tank where the false bottom of sump area is so the water wicks up and keeps it moist after you've wet it pretty well initially. I missed a spot on one of the imitator tanks and they have made a little nest behind the fiber with eggs in it that I can see through the back of the glass, but can' reach. This doesn't matter much with imitators because they will transfer the tads themselves when they hatch out. But this might be a problem with the frogs that don't do this, so seal it around thoroughly.
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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

here is a link to the cheapest cork bark i have found sorry you have to copy and paste it , it wont fit in the link url box its too long

http://www.corkstore.com/cgi-bin/webcart/webcart.cgi?CONFIG=mountain&RET=5&RCATS=Make Selection&FIRST_TIME=Yes&START=1&OCATS=virgin cork bark&DOSEARCH=YES&CODE=123