Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I am looking at building my very own dart frog setup and need some help.

I have some questions that I am looking at getting answered and any help is useful.
Thank you for any information provided!

1. I want to get a vivarium at least 30"x18"x20" (I have the resources!) and want to see some peoples enclosures and what they have done to make their own enclosure

2. I have looked at many different species and dont know any of the Latin names but have seen the Green and Black darts, Cobalt Blue darts, and the M. Aurantiaca and wanted to get an idea of what would be best to start with and if not any of these than what you would recommend for beginners?

3. Obviously I am going to put live plants inside of this enclosure and dont really know which ones would be ok with what species, so I am asking what species go with what plants and how to maintain these plants?

4. Last I would like to know what wattage bulbs and what bulbs to purchase to provide UVB for both plants and frogs.

Thank you for your time!

1. check out dendroboard.com for dart enclosures, amphibiancare.com is another great resource.

2. green and black dart=dendrobates auratus, there are many morphs and some are shier than others so if you want a bold frog make sure to research the different morphs.

cobolt blue=dendrobates tinctorius, and the "cobolt blue" is the trade name for a specific morph of tinctorius. these are hardy frogs but are territorial so unless you have a huge tank pairs are best (if you buy juvies you may not get a pair).

mantella auriantiaca- not a dart, mantellas are a genus of frog that evolved independently from dendrobates (actually more closely related to ranids). this species is not available in the states currently (publically) but mark pepper of understory enterprises is breeding them but there's a wait list.

3. check out the plant section 'stickies' in db.

4. darts don't require uvb and neither do the plants. if you are going to have a glass lid the uvb will not go through anyway.
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A room of herps.
www.freewebs.com/kapoktree

I have been told to get a bulb that is labeled as daylight (not soft light etc). Also you are looking for one that is >5000K. You could go to home depot and someone would be able to help you find what you are looking for.