Tank Do's and Dont's

[Kimchi]

Hey all,

I have built a handful of vivariums now and have made so many mistakes. I've had to rip most apart and I kinda wonder if i'm being hasty and not letting the tanks cycle? The internet is convoluted with information and I figured it is just better to ask my questions directly.

I am planning a large enclosure set up to hopefully take in two juvenile terribilis dart frogs in the future once the tank has cycled for about a month so I know everything is good to go.

My ultimate goal is a (nearly) maintenance-free bioactive vivarium, one where I will not need to worry too much about draining excess water or excessive mold. 

How often do you guys need to drain water from your false bottom? How much mold is TOO much mold (with springtails present)? 

Set up attempts (failed IMO): 

I have tried 20ppi filter foam, separated with reptile mesh, with leaf litter on top as a false bottom with a water pump to drain (the issue is the foam stays too wet and won't dry out causing things to smell and it's difficult to drain. I tried modifying this method by adding different varieties of moss (not sphag moss but green growing live moss) with leaf litter on top and this seems to work ok but then I read that moss keeps the ground too wet and I worry about my frogs getting bacterial infections. 

I tried leca false bottoms, separated with reptile mesh, and then ABG substrate and leaf litter on top. I personally HATE leca when it gets waterlogged and I find it holds on to stinky smells. Draining is easier, but tanks is very heavy. But this seems to be the most popular method. 

I am curious to know (in great detail) what false bottom setup others have used that have been successful as a long-term bioactive setup and to know what kind of maintenance to expect.

future considerations:

I currently don't have a misting system but am considering investing in one instead of manually misting the tanks daily. I used moss and covered the moss in leaf litter to help maintain humidity, but of course, I learned the hard way that moss (like frog moss) isn't a great addition to the tank as it can rot easily if too moist and hurt frogs long-term.

What temperature and humidity gauges do you recommend to check tank conditions?

Where do you buy your plants from or how do you "treat" plants that you are unsure have been treated with chemicals for pest control?

Thanks in advance

[Philsuma]

A lot of questions....maybe 2-3 separate threads in the future please. I don't want to make a huge quote block so I'll try to hit a few answers by memory.

Mold comes and goes. Never a problem. More like, part of the circle of life both in nature and in our small enclosures.

Only drain false bottom water when it begins to be so much that it threatens to wick up into the substrate. It does not smell or 'go bad' ever. You WANT some standing water in your false bottom at all times, to help visual gauge your humidity.

Leca is kinda deceptively heavy but it's so nice and organic that it grows biofilm that the microfuana loves to eat.

!-4 tanks, I would buy an electric recharge plant mister with long wand. No mistking unless you have many vivs - like 10 or more.

Gauges and temp sensors have come a long way and used to all suck, but I think there are some decent ones that tolerate the high humidity of our hobby. I don't use em. Hand and eyeball method after a couple months of just observing your viv and you/ll be a pro.