Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had a 20 gallon saltwater reef aquarium, until Hurricane Wilma knocked out the power at my work. Needless to say I lost all my rock and corals. Looking on the positive side, I have been dying to setup a live vivarium and give frogs a try. I have a few questions for anyone willing to listen.
1. I have a set of compact fluorescents from my reef tank. It has one white and one blue and they are roughly 65W X 2 or 130W. Would this be too much for dart frogs?

2. Using my 20 gallon aquarium how many frogs would not be advisable? What would be the best choice regarding a beginner and someone how would like to try breeding?

3. I want to have a large water area (30-40%) of the length of the tank, can someone explain how to incorporate this with the false bottom setup?

4. How can I incorporate rain system with the pond/waterfall?

5. Finally (thanks for reading this if you have made it this far), the reading says I should use ghost wood or cypress because of their aglgae resistance in wet environments. Couls I use any other type of nature wood? We have trees down everywhere from the hurricane and lots of nice branches. I just don't want to be sorry in the long run.

Thanks for your input!
Sincerely,
Roly

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Miami Hurricanes #1
NATIONAL CHAMPS 83,87,89,91,01

Welcome to the hobby. My answers are under your questions.

>>1. I have a set of compact fluorescents from my reef tank. It has one white and one blue and they are roughly 65W X 2 or 130W. Would this be too much for dart frogs?

Might be overkill, but I'm a shop light guy myself.

>>2. Using my 20 gallon aquarium how many frogs would not be advisable? What would be the best choice regarding a beginner and someone how would like to try breeding?

I would go with a pair of tincs or azureus. If you want more, you could do 3 leucs or auratus.

>>3. I want to have a large water area (30-40%) of the length of the tank, can someone explain how to incorporate this with the false bottom setup?

Well, this is best described with pictures. Google "False bottom terrarium".

>>4. How can I incorporate rain system with the pond/waterfall?

Misting system. Or a hand mister.

>>5. Finally (thanks for reading this if you have made it this far), the reading says I should use ghost wood or cypress because of their aglgae resistance in wet environments. Couls I use any other type of nature wood? We have trees down everywhere from the hurricane and lots of nice branches. I just don't want to be sorry in the long run.

Most woods rot out. You can also use kampas wood.

>>Thanks for your input!
>>Sincerely,
>>Roly
>>
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>>Miami Hurricanes #1
>>NATIONAL CHAMPS 83,87,89,91,01
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Josh Willard
www.joshsfrogs.com

Is your aquarium a 20 long or tall?

I have a pair of axureus in a 29 gallon. The 29 had the same footprint as a 20 long. I am using a single 65W compact flourecent with a 6700k bulb. 130W would be too much light and would also be too hot.

If you are using a 20 long it might be difficult to have a false bottom and still have enought room for substrate plants and frogs.

Mine is a Netherlands style vivarium with cocos panels glued to the back and a drip tube along the top. There is about 6 inches of water in the bottom. The plants are place directly into peat blocks that sit in the water. Im not sure what i can link to so just google "vivaria projects" and you will find info about this type of vivarium.

Has anyone else tried this type of setup? I have had it for about 5 months and its doing great. The frogs love it and they have been egging since about a month after they were introduced.