Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am in the process of setting up a terrarium in which I am planning to keep a few (2-4) young tincs. From the research I’ve done here and elsewhere, it seems that most people use a false-bottom set up. However, I am planning on starting out with a 10 gallon tank, and I would like to set it up without using a false-bottom. Can anyone provide me with some tips on setting up a tank without using a false-bottom? I have an all glass cover and I should be able to hand mist on a daily basis, so I do not think maintaining proper humidity levels should be an issue.

I am planning on using 1” to 2” of aquarium gravel as my base substrate. I would like to put a layer of eco-earth on top of that and then cover that level with some sphagnum moss. I am also planning on using coco-panels for my background and I have a place where I can get a nice bromeliad and some ivy. The little coco hut hiding places have already been purchased too. Can anyone think of any legitimate reason(s) why my planned set up might not work well (or provide suggestions as far as how I could improve my set up by using other materials)? Also, do you think it would be necessary to place a layer of mesh between the gravel and eco-earth…or would that be unnecessary when using eco-earth?

Thanks!

PS: I am not planning on keeping my frogs in the 10 gallon forever. Once they get older/bigger I might move them to something larger (and probably use a false bottom set up then…), or if I end up with a pair, I might leave those two frogs in the 10 gallon and then set up something else for the oddball(s).

Most people would say that even for young tincs, 4 in a ten gallon is too much. They will be fine, but will quickly outgrow that tank. I have heard people say that 2 full grown tincs in a ten is too much, but I think it depends on how you set up the ten. I keep my tinc pair in a 29 and I couldn't imagine them in a smaller tank.

Your gravel on the bottom of the tank will do the same thing as a false bottom, but makes the tank heavier, and is a little more expensive. Just make sure to use a substrate divider or your eco-earth with mix with the gravel. Also, I add orchid bark (from home depot or wal-mart $3 a bag) to my eco-earth or it doesn't drain well. Covering it with moss is good to keep your frogs from getting muddy and if you have the right lights could cause the moss to grow.

Also, tincs will tend to fight, so it is best to pair them off.
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Josh Willard
www.joshsfrogs.com

If this is just temporary and the tincs are young, it will work for awhile. A false bottom in a 10 gallon is a waste of effort. I agree with Josh that you should go for something larger and pair them off as they mature and you can sex them.

A false bottom is not imperative, nor is a waterway for any dart, as long as you have some sharp drainage and can sump out the excess water you add by daily misting from the bottom. This is easy to do with some aquarium tubing and a syringe, or even with a turkey baster. If you have a nice drainage layer, you don't even have to do this very often if you have a lot of plants.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
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6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
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4 P. terribilis
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2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus