Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All!

I am new to dart frogs... So new, in fact, that I dont have any yet! I've just built myself a vivarium and I wanted some input from people "in the know".

I visited Black Jungle during their grand opening and was inspired. This terrarium is what I came up with. I'm planning on buying more plants for it at the White Plains show this weekend. I'm hoping to keep two species of frogs in this tank, I'll be talking to the guys and Black Jungle for ideas on who can live together (and not inter-breed).

If you have any input I'd love to hear it! The pictures (and step-by-step description on how I built it) are on my site under photo albums in the index. Click on "P.D. Frog Vivarium" and it will take you there.

Hoping to hear some input!

Later!
Kelly
DeKeaff Exotics

I would say to just go with one for now? Maybe 2-4 Leucs, I started with them and they are very cool.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
D. leucomelas
D. azureus

Gosh - the only input I have is "nice job"!
I am in the process of gathering items for my tinc's tank rebuild, and appreciate seeing the step by step you've laid out. Thanks, and keep up posted on developments and the lucky residents.
~Maxwells

Nice job-- Keep us posted on the progress. At least start with a single speci. There are more cons than pros about mixing. Most all dart frogs are pretty territorial, and even though some people may tell you it is all right to mix some essentially ground dwellers with the arboreal species that utilize bromeliads, it doesn't always work that way. For instance, my galacs use the bromeliads for resting and soaking and climb all over, even in the high branches, although they aren't supposed to do this. Someone forgot to tell them the rules. There is also the problem of hunting competition, intimidation, stress. I think these guys each deserve their own space and habitat planned just for them.

I can promise that you are going to want another vivarium, anyway.
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Patty
Lost River, Idaho

D. auratus blue
D. galactonotus
D. imitator
D. leukomelas
D. pumilio Bastimentos (soon)

Thats funny, because no one told my "terrestrial" terribilis, leucs, azureus or tinctorius that they shouldn't hang out in the upper vines either. I suppose we should send them back for a refresher course? I suppose the point here is that arboreal or terrestrial can be very confusing terms when you place an animal that would have free-reign over an evironment into confined quarters.

I was keeping my azureus with my imitators for a while, but realized the folly of my ways and have since seperated them. Each species is now more active and displaying what I would assume is more natural behavior. Make more tanks for more species...it's more fun that way!

David

I don't think terrestrial applies as much in vivariums. Keep in mind that in the rainforest the trees grow 100's of feet into the air, I think that is why the terrestrial frogs are called terrestrial, because they don't go as high as the other arboreal frogs in the wild. The terrestrial frogs usually only climb within a few feet of the ground. Since vivariums aren't 100's of feet high thats why the terrestrial frogs climb.

That's exactly what I was trying to get at. Thanks for unscrambling my blabbering!

David

Amazing job!! I am slowly putting togeather my 1st 29g tank for a pir of luecs. At first I was not sure how all that latex and foam would turn out in your tank, but you pulled it off There is no health risk to the darts from that foam or latex? Have you found a way to hide that "darn pump"? Maybe you could try something like a old turtle shell? I to have heard more cons then pros about mixing in my research. I'd go with one kind. Look at it this way, you could always do another tank..lol Again you did an Amazing job on that.. Keep us posted with more pics. SoBeK

Actually, Black Jungle's huge terrarium (pictured on the main page of their site) is made the same way as mine. I inspected it closely while I was there for tips! The foam is completely non-toxic as is the silicone (it's the same stuff you use to seal fishtanks, just black!).

I'm going to look for a rounded piece of cypress or a bowl shaped rock (if only I was that lucky!) to hide the pump. I can bury it completely because I need to fiddle with it once in a while to adjust the flow rate.

I am going to start with one species at first and see how it goes... It'll have to be one of the larger ones so that they don't get lost!!! Don't let my hubby hear you suggest building another tank!! I have too many already! Haha!!

See ya!
DeKeaff Exotics

Cool I'm going to have to look into that. For a bowl shaped rock, you might try looking for one of thoes stone bowls they ground herbs in.. ~SoBeK~

Those probably wouldn't be natural enough. All about it being natural. Trust me I know. LOL
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

np
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Kelly Affonce
DeKeaff Exotics
www.dekeaffexotics.com

WOW...Great Job.

What are tou going to cover the foam with? How are you going to work the water system?

Please keep the pics coming.

The foam background is covered with silicon. While the silicone is wet dry coco bark is pressed into it. So the background looks like coco bark. The water system is driven by a pump (small pond pump), the 1/2" outlet goes up to the top left behind the big piece of cypress. There is a divider that splits the flow from one 1/2" tube into nine 1/4" tubes which each trickles out water at nine places at the back of the tank.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Ok what type of stuff is that on the background and where did you get the wood?

As for the pump just cover it in gravel or rocks. Should be easy enough to do.

I just bought a 15gal High for my next tank and I am thinking of using this method to make the background. I just have a heck of a time find driftwood that looks good.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
D. leucomelas
D. azureus

To make the back, the back and sides were coated with silicone. Then triple expanding foam (home depot) was applied in thin layers. Once dried you can shape the foam as you like. Once shaped the foam is covered in silicone, and while still wet silicone is covered with dry coco bedding. The drift wood is from black jungle terrarium supply. It is a little expensive but it is all either ghost or cypress wood which won't rot. Luckily we live near black jungle's store so we can drive there. Maybe they come to a show near you.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Thanks, I'm thinking about trying this. I will just have to think on it. Would be nice to make the background not so flat.

So I am gussing the foam is non-toxic?
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
D. leucomelas
D. azureus