10-07-2005, 11:44 AM
Hi guys,
I am an ultra newbie with frogs. I kept a few lizards a few years ago, and always admired the frogs that the stores had! And loved them as a kid, always catching tadpoles and small frogs to bring back to my pond.
So i have done quite a bit of research and for my first viv i plan on using one of the fish tanks i have lying around.
At the moment i have 3 available, a 4' 50g, 3' 30g or a small 8g hex! (U.K gallons)
The hex is quite tempting as it could be a cute little set up, and space is a big issue.
Though i don't feel that this small a tank will easily allow a nice plated appearance! And this is my ticket to winning the misses over, it has to be an attractive display. As she does nothing but moan about all my pets!!!
So i think i have settled on the 30g, 3 footer, as i don't really have room for the 4!
I of course being new wanted a community :x And i thought of maybe a trio of D.Auratus, and a pair of E.Tricolour or whites tree frogs. As i am told the Tri's/whites live higher up, while Auratus dwell on the bottom! I also read that the different genus will not cross breed!
But after reading many opinions and views on this it quite surprised me as when cross breeding 'can' be done, people are normally so eager to attempt this to multiply the number of colours!
As is the case with leopard geckos and corn snakes.
I have decided on 4 or maybe 5 D.Auratus, will this number be ok in this tank? From my marine fish experience we find that odd numbered groups help to dissipate a little aggression, is this also the case with frogs?
So i am in the process of planning this and have a couple of questions if you don't mind. I wasn't sure if this should go in the viv section or here! So here go's:
1) i am thinking of a false bottom as i want a water fall/stream feature. the raised bottom will be of 'egg crate' wrapped in fiberglass matting, but i am unsure if i need a lair of 'pebbles' over this beneath my substrate to allow for drainage.
I plan on the substrate being a mix of dendrosoil/fine orchid bark.
And should a waterfall, provide a high humidity? I plan on having a heater in the water. I could also add a fogger, but not to keen on the look!
2)How do i adequately vent a 'fish tank'? I see custom viv's have vent holes in the side, with a mess top on my tank will this circulate air enough? I was thinking i could put some airline tubing into tank and put air towards the bottom to ensure circulation. Good idea?
3)Browsing the American sites i see you guys use expanding foam on the back! As far as i am aware this isn't done much in the U.K. I was thinking of doing this but placing some cork pieces into the foam to graft plants to. What foam do you use? Is their an ingredient in some i need to avoid? Or is the foam inert once it has gone off, so any is fine?
4)Lights! what is the best way to go here? I want some hardy attractive plants, and hopefully some orchids. How many watts i am looking at needing, or isn't it that simple? (tank is 18" deep)
Also how do i mount the lights? Do most people just sit them on the mesh panel in the lid? Do they hang them inside?
Also if any Brits are reading this, some help with Brands and suppliers would be appreciated!
Sorry for the long first post, but get used to it as it will be the first of many :lol:
Thanks for any help guys n girls!
I am an ultra newbie with frogs. I kept a few lizards a few years ago, and always admired the frogs that the stores had! And loved them as a kid, always catching tadpoles and small frogs to bring back to my pond.
So i have done quite a bit of research and for my first viv i plan on using one of the fish tanks i have lying around.
At the moment i have 3 available, a 4' 50g, 3' 30g or a small 8g hex! (U.K gallons)
The hex is quite tempting as it could be a cute little set up, and space is a big issue.
Though i don't feel that this small a tank will easily allow a nice plated appearance! And this is my ticket to winning the misses over, it has to be an attractive display. As she does nothing but moan about all my pets!!!
So i think i have settled on the 30g, 3 footer, as i don't really have room for the 4!
I of course being new wanted a community :x And i thought of maybe a trio of D.Auratus, and a pair of E.Tricolour or whites tree frogs. As i am told the Tri's/whites live higher up, while Auratus dwell on the bottom! I also read that the different genus will not cross breed!
But after reading many opinions and views on this it quite surprised me as when cross breeding 'can' be done, people are normally so eager to attempt this to multiply the number of colours!
As is the case with leopard geckos and corn snakes.
I have decided on 4 or maybe 5 D.Auratus, will this number be ok in this tank? From my marine fish experience we find that odd numbered groups help to dissipate a little aggression, is this also the case with frogs?
So i am in the process of planning this and have a couple of questions if you don't mind. I wasn't sure if this should go in the viv section or here! So here go's:
1) i am thinking of a false bottom as i want a water fall/stream feature. the raised bottom will be of 'egg crate' wrapped in fiberglass matting, but i am unsure if i need a lair of 'pebbles' over this beneath my substrate to allow for drainage.
I plan on the substrate being a mix of dendrosoil/fine orchid bark.
And should a waterfall, provide a high humidity? I plan on having a heater in the water. I could also add a fogger, but not to keen on the look!
2)How do i adequately vent a 'fish tank'? I see custom viv's have vent holes in the side, with a mess top on my tank will this circulate air enough? I was thinking i could put some airline tubing into tank and put air towards the bottom to ensure circulation. Good idea?
3)Browsing the American sites i see you guys use expanding foam on the back! As far as i am aware this isn't done much in the U.K. I was thinking of doing this but placing some cork pieces into the foam to graft plants to. What foam do you use? Is their an ingredient in some i need to avoid? Or is the foam inert once it has gone off, so any is fine?
4)Lights! what is the best way to go here? I want some hardy attractive plants, and hopefully some orchids. How many watts i am looking at needing, or isn't it that simple? (tank is 18" deep)
Also how do i mount the lights? Do most people just sit them on the mesh panel in the lid? Do they hang them inside?
Also if any Brits are reading this, some help with Brands and suppliers would be appreciated!
Sorry for the long first post, but get used to it as it will be the first of many :lol:
Thanks for any help guys n girls!