Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm setting up a 20H for my dad for Christmas. He's talked about setting up a nice display in the waiting room of his shop(he's a photographer). I'm only going to set up the vivarium for him, I'm not going to buy frogs.
Plans as of right now are for a gravel bottom, moss on top, and a few plants. Probably one piece of drift wood or cork bark, and a couple coconut hides. I'm going to do a sump pump filtration/pump method. I'll drill two holes in the back corner of the aquarium, and run a pump/filter in a rubermaid tub under the table the vivarium will be on. If I do it this way, i'll be able to adjust the water temperature as well, which is pretty important. In one corner of the cage, i'll make a little depression in the gravel, and make a little pool of water.

So, here are my questions-
first and foremost, what type of frogs would be best? We need something that'll be active, and not too shy. But, do we want to put a bunch of smaller frogs in, or only a couple larger frogs? At first I was thinking of going with a couple auratus, or leucomela, but now, I'm thinking that getting more mantellas or something else smaller, like azureus might be better.

Also, where can I find the live moss blanket that everyone says to use over the gravel? I'm looking on blackjungle.com, and I can't find it. Some places said look at nurseries, but we don't really have any around here. Also, I don't drive, and I don't want my dad to know about this, so my only real way to shop in person, my dad would find out about it.

And finally, where can I find LECA? Would Wal-Mart have that?

thanks!
Ron Nocera

I would go with leucs for this type of tank. I would get a pair. They use all the upper parts and they are super bold.

I don't use sheet moss. Have you thought about java moss?

You need to find a hydroponics store near you. Just google hydroponics and your state (i.e. hydroponics michigan) and you will be surprised how many there are. You can also buy leca online.
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Josh Willard
www.joshsfrogs.com

As usual, I agree with Josh. Java moss is a bit shaggier than sheet or pillow moss, but it truly does a lot better in the long run. And the hydroponics stuff is great. Coco Tek Grow slabs can cover the entire bottom with just gravel to hide the edges of it from the front view. The plantings and substrate can be put on top of that, and you can cut out places for "pools" if you want. I do like to put a layer of weed inhibitor cloth on top of the Coco Tek, just to filter out the finer particles of soil that may get through it. You can actually operate a pump system within this, create a water fall over cork bark, or a small fountain of bubbling water and rocks without drilling holes in the tank and having an outside source of water and sumping. If you choose this route, all you need is one corner of the tank into which you can insert a long piece of aquarium air tubing to the bottom. About three or four times a year, (more often at first, perhaps,) you turn off the pump, syphon off the water into a bucket and replace it. A 60cc vet syringe will start the process.

As for temperatures, room temperatures usually suffice and control the vivarium temperatures. If your Dad's office doesn't vary much between 65 and 80 degrees year around, you have perfect conditions and don't need to heat or cool the water that is circulating. It can even get as low as 50 degrees at night without stressing the larger frogs such as leucomelas.

You mentioned azureus as being small, or maybe I misread this. My azureus pair are the largest frogs I have among 12 dart species. Like Josh, I'd go for leucs, especially if your Dad might want to impress his office visitors that think all frogs are green. They will always be in view, and they are so bright, active and funny, marked like clowns, as well as being relatively cheap to purchase. They also have a very nice call that can be heard on occasion if there's a male in the bunch.

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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
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus

Thanks for the suggestions & info.

What type of soil should I use for my plants? I bought a little bromeliad, some other bromeliad-type plant (it was labeled "4 Inch Tropical Plant", but looks like a bromeliad without the blossoms. the leaves come up wrapped around eachother, so they'll hold water), pothos, phyllodendron, and a peace lilly. The plants came in plastic pots. I figure I'll change the soil out of there (i'd be afraid to keep any soil that came from wal-mart!), but leave the plants in the plastic pots, and just bury the pots in the gravel. That way, the moss will grow around it, but the plants will be removable if they grow too big, or we think they need changed around for some reason. I like this idea, because with it being a 20H, i have to have smallish plants in it. This way, we can keep changing it up a little bit, switching out plants for smaller ones, as they get too big for the cage.

thanks again,
Ronnie Nocera

One of the trade names for LECA is Hydroton, you might have more luck finding it using that name. Everyone I've said LECA to has given me the strangest face.

For soil I just use ground spagnium/peat moss. I've found it's good for about 3 years before it needs to be changed. By then it's pretty think and doesn't drain too well. You can get it at any large hardware store (Lowes, Home Depot). It's sold in large compressed bricks. A 2.2 cubic-foot brick should cost around six bucks. It's a pain to get it to soak up water but once it does it's fine. That brick should be enough for about 3-4 20g tanks.

I'm personally not a fan of leaving the plants in the pots. Swapping planted plants isn't a big deal, but can get a bit messy till you get the hang of it, and depending on the plant. Also, if you leave the plants potted they will become rood bound, and that's not usually a good thing. You're pothos can be trimmed back regularly with no affect to the plant. The bromiliad will probably get too big in about a year. I've never worked with peace lillies or philodendron, so I can't be of help with them.

If you plan to keep particular plants in this tank long term I'd suggest eventually getting plants from one of the many great vivarium supply places on the net. I'm a fan of Custom Ecos, as Alex is a great guy, but Black Jungle and T&C Terrariums also have good plants and reputation.