Clay`s Dart Frog Vivarium

So, since I've had to get away from reefing for the time being, I thought I'd try my luck with a vivarium. The cost is really what attracted me and I just can't quite seem to NOT have a tank of some type. Ever since I was a kid, I've loved frogs, especially poison dart frogs. I remember going to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha and being awestruck by the dart frog displays they had. Essentially, this is my homage to those tanks. As ofright now, I do not have any frogs and need to get my stand drilled so I can get the water feature plumbed, the substrate in, and all the plants planted. Thanks for taking a look, stay posted for updates! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

 

Also, nevermind the mess! I'm sure you all can relate to the mess made by setting up a tank of any kind! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/tongue.gif

 

Thanks you guys!! Waverz, I'm planning a small water feature toward the open end of the tank, kind of like a little fountain or bubble rock. If there's going to be a pond, it'll be super shallow and mainly filled with semi-aquatic plants. As for plants, I'm pretty much done buying for right now. I'd like to get a few jewel orchids and a couple tillandsias as well. Otherwise, I just want the bottom to be primarily leaf litter and mosses with more epiphytes on my driftwood pieces I have. This whole thing is exciting!! Hoping to have it done here in the next couple weeks!

Also, just like nrenn, it's the frog's natural diet that makes them poisonous due to the metabolites that are produced. I'm just going to feed wingless fruit flies! Nice and easy! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Going to do a little self-promo bump here! Big update coming very soon! Stay tuned! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Alright, after a long wait here it goes!!!














Now it's time to let things grow in a bit, get the microfauna going, and plant a little more before I put some frogs in! The plants do look a little haggard right now, but that's because they've been growing in plastic cups until this point. Give it a week and everything will start establishing and growing like crazy!!! Thanks for staying tuned! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

 

Quick little update for you all! Enjoy! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Check out what I got yesterday!!! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Lol well Sponge, it would be a pleasure to put some info on here about these guys! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif Thanks for subscribing! In captivity, they do not ingest the insects that they need to create the alkaloids that cause them to be poisonous. I have two frogs in here that are Dendrobates Tinctorius "Green Sipaliwini" and they originate from the Sipaliwini region that lies in Brazil, Suriname, and French Guyana. I'm not sure of the origin of these two guys I have now, they were purchased from a guy, who bought them from another guy from Wisconsin. After that, I am completely unsure of their lineage. As for lighting, I use just a 36" Tek T5 fixture. Frogs do not need UVB lighting, so it's more for the plants. The color temperature averages around 6500K to 6700K depending on how many bulbs I turn on. I have two 6500K bulbs on a timer, the other bulbs I just manually turn on for aesthetic purposes only. As for feeding, I feed every other day. They get fed wingless fruit flies that I breed myself, and the flies are dusted in calcium powder because in captivity, the frogs cannot properly metabolize calcium. The reason why is completely over my head! lol! As for maintenance, there really isn't much other than feeding, trimming plants, and keeping the humidity up. I have a misting system that sprays for about 12 seconds every 4 to 5 hours. Otherwise, I just let it go. These are fun as all get out. I do miss my reef, but since I don't have time for one, this definitely fills the space!! I am actually going to be doing another build VERY soon! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif Stay tuned!

 

These guys do not need a heater, just ambient air that stays above 65 degrees. Most lighting systems are enough to heat the tanks (just like our reefs! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/tongue.gif) A lot of hobbyists are successful in breeding dart frogs. I plan on doing it myself if I get a breeding pair! Frogs aren't the easiest to sex, and my green sips (the frogs pictured) both look alike. It is said that females will be more rounded and the toe pads will differ. This isn't the case with the two I have. As to how many can be kept in a tank, it varies based on the species. Females of most species do not do well unless they have plenty of room to establish territories. Tinctorius are notorious for females killing each other. Males do not show this aggression. A 40 breeder could easily house 4 of the green sips as long as only 1 is a female. These frogs are more terrestrial, spending the majority of their time on the ground. Thumbnails (dubbed this due to their size) tend to be more arboreal, spending their time climbing. Thumbs are also significantly more shy. I talked with a guy that had them and he said he hardly ever saw them out. As for mixing species, that's never recommended due to territorial issues and the potential for cross breeding. Cross breeding of species is a definite no no!! lol that's the easiest way to get froggers up in arms! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/tongue.gif Anyway, if you're interested, Sponge, keep in touch with me! I'm planning on getting rid of my 40 gallon breeder and putting together a different set up. I could hook you up with a mostly put together setup and plenty of plant clippings! Also, if all goes well, I may have froglets for you too. Keep asking questions, I'm more than happy to answer! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Sorry getting back late to you on this Sponge! Been off the grid for a bit. As for my frogs, I'm sure I have two males. The size of the clutch varies drastically between frog species, age of female laying eggs, and conditions in which the frogs are kept. Most people actually pull the eggs out of the vivarium after they find a clutch to raise tadpoles individually until they are juveniles or at least sub-adults. Grow out systems vary greatly between hobbyists. Most do this behind the scenes where they have room to keep grow out tanks. These frogs do not hibernate because they are always in a warm, humid environment. I paid $100 for my pair, which is actually fairly cheap. The cheapest frogs I've found that are of quality breed and lineage are about $35 each. I have a misting system from Exo Terra that mists the tank for 12 seconds about every 4 hours, which is actually fairly excessive. As for the water I use to mist with, I use just plain old RODI water. My frogs are super bold, but some species are super shy. I've met one guy that said he RARELY saw his frogs. Rule of thumb is, the bigger the frog, the bolder it will likely be. They can get sick, the easiest way to tell is by their behavior. Most stop eating or aren't very active. To tell if there is something really wrong with them, fecal samples can be sent to a lab to be tested for certain bacteria, parasites, or fungi. You can also swab the frog with a sterile swab kit to have sent in to test for disease. Some species are very vocal, but only call under certain conditions (wet tank conditions, presence of females). Only the males call. Tinctorius do not have a loud call (my frogs are Tincs), but Leucomelas will make your tank area sound like a rainforest, which is cool. When feeding, I just go by looks and how much my frogs eat in a few minutes (like fish!!). So that varies all the time. I am actually going to set up two tanks to replace the 40 breeder, that way I can have two different species. I also plan on setting up two 20 gallon tall tanks vertically to keep smaller, arboreal frogs. I definitely wouldn't mix any species in one tank unless you have YEARS of experience with them and have a large tank. I'd say a minimum of a 125 gallon and have a species of terrestrial and an arboreal species. Keep up with questions! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif I like answering them!