Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay I know this isnt an arrow frog tank, but you guys are always the most knowledgeable about tanks like this. So I have some FBT's in a 29 gallon tank that I have reccently converted to a mostly land set up with changeable water areas. Yes these areas are tacky right now but they keep water changes easy, clean, and maintainable. I dont plan on keeping it like this forever but as the terrarium develops and such.

Anyways I have a layer of 3 inches of gravel on the bottom then another inch or two of Eco Earth substrate. On ttop of that on the left side of the tank I have some of that dried forest moss they sell at stores ( I rinsed it very well before I put it in the tank). Is this stuff good to use? I mean its natural just not alive, its experimental for now. On the right side I have Java Moss that has established itself on the log a while ago and I layed some of it out on the moist Eco Earth, will it grow well here with plant lighting and the moist eco earth?

Finally the water that goes to the the botom of the tank (in the gravel) is bound to get dirty cause of the frogs and substrate etc. Should I syphon this out every now and then? OR allow it to evaporate and continue my misting? Anyways advice would be helpful guys!

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www.mplionhearts.com

You should have at least a 3 or 4 inch gravel layer separated from the top substrate with something like a thin layer of plastic type weed barrier that people put over their gardens. It lets water through, but not particles of soil. This keeps the substrate from penetrating the drainage area and clogging it. You do sump it out, which is a simple thing to do with just section of aquarium air hose, as if you were siphoning gas. I use a 30cc syringe to start the process whenever the gravel drainage layer seems to need it. A more exciting thing to do is create a false bottom and have waterfalls and waterways, etc. But several of my tanks are just simply sumping out the daily mist water so that the tank is always well drained.

I'm thinking about dart frogs here, not other herps that don't require a more or less wet environment. I am also thinking of the welfare of live plants, not plastic or artificial. I am also thinking of something that is more or less biologically balanced, so daily cleaning involves just wiping down the glass, and major changes and overhauls occur perhaps every three years. It depends a lot upon what frogs or other herps you are keeping. I'm oriented to dart frogs, which are perfect for long term "biologically balanced" tanks, with rare major cleanings.

If you are keeping other kinds of frogs or herps, that may be an entirely different consideration.
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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

I've considereed false bottoms, but deciding to just go with pure gravel and have it syphon out, go through a filter, and then go back into the tank. OR just have the syphon drain someplace else, empty thatand then pump fresh water in, either one works.I should have put something over the substrate, but I didnt when I was cleaning it cause I was ona tight schedule do to finals and it didnt really cross my mind so I might change that after x-mas. Hopefully the java moss grows well, as long asi kepe it very moist.
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www.mplionhearts.com