I have 18 vivarium tanks now, some for over 10 years and not one of them is drilled for drainage. You do need a gravel layer for draining the substrate, or a false bottom for water features. There are several simple ways of building the latter, and the former just involves a gravel layer covered with something like polyester batting or weed cloth to filter out the substrate and keep it from clogging the gravel. If the drainage layer becomes saturated, all you need to do is run a piece of aquarium airline tubing down one corner. over the top and down into a container, then start the drainage with a cannula type syringe--30- 60cc, can be purchased at any Ranch store in the Veterinary department, or perhaps you could get one from your veterinarian if you aren't in an area that has Cal-Ranch or similar stores.

Sometimes it is never necessary to even drain the gravel layer. The same thing applies if you have a false bottom for a water feature such as drip wall or water fall, circulating ponds, etc. Most of us use small internal submersible pumps for water features, such as the Rio 600 or others and simply hide them from view by other features such as drift wood or rocks.



Some people do chose to drill their tanks and put in external filters, etc., but this is unnecessary, and is strictly a matter of choice. A biologically balanced dart frog tank with live plants and organic substrate does not require commercial filters or extensive changing of the substrate and water.



If you want only a pond feature without circulating water, you can simply put a bubbler wand under the gravel in it and attach this to an external air pump, again up and over one corner of the tank. This is a really affective idea that keeps the water aerated and adds humidity to the tank.



Any external connections such as for the internal pump or air wands can be run up one back corner and down to a connection.

Dart tanks do need to retain humidity. Most commercial fish tanks with open tops can be fitted with the appropriate hinged glass top. These usually have a plastic flat that fits along the back side, so it is easy to create a small opening for any tubing or cords. The plastic flaps should be either taped down or there's a trick of running a bead of clear silicon where it fits into the top of the tank, which after curing allows the lid to be opened on the back when necessary, but fits back down tightly. Dart frogs are notorious for their ability to lift the back flaps and escape if they aren't fitted down tightly.



If you feel you can deal with a front opening vivarium, check out the Exo-terra and Zoo-med type set ups which already have the facilities for false bottoms and water features built in. I've never personally used one of these, but you can see them at saurian.net or blackjungle.com, if your pet store doesn't carry them.
-----
Patty

Pahsimeroi, Idaho



D. auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, galactonotus orange, galactonotus yellow, fantasticus, reticulatus, imitator, castaneoticus, azureus, pumilio Bastimentos. P. lugubris, vittatus, terribilis mint green, terribilis orange.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]