Poison Dart Frogs - my build and general info

jrpark22000 said:
No worries, I created an account on plantedtank. It looks pretty cool. It'll be a while before I'm ready for the PIF.

You really think 6 T5s will be too much? I had a 4 T5s over my triopicals and they did marginally until I moved them to the other shelf with the 6 bulb fixture. I burn the same GE ecolux 6500k bulbs in both fixtures.
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I was running 2 T5HO's on my PDF tank, I think, with the same height, and had to trim more than I cared to. I think you should start with the 4, and if need be, we'll make you a led stunner strip or something. I wouldn't add another 2 bulbs just yet.
 
That is cool, I am suprised but can also see logic in it. I grow orchids, broms, tropical fruit trees and they all do better under the 6 bulb. In the wild broms and orchids are nesteled in the canpoy so I can see them adapting to lower light, but I see significant growth and flowering gains in giving them more light.

I'll start with the 4 bulb fixture. Cheers!
 
Ok, how about wood suppliers? Yeah I need some Wood. I want to build a root or stump structure on the left center of the back and wrap it into the left side wall with a branch or 2. I’ll have the water feature (gravel bottom) in the front right corner, leave the right wall open glass for open viewing and effect. Still need to figure out the air circulation, pump, false bottom, substrate choice, etc, etc, etc… And if I’ll do a small water fall or stream.

wood stump on center wall similar to my planned layout
[video=youtube;HHBMCefaKeA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHBMCefaKeA[/video]


2 wall design with water feature similar to my planned layout
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZGnzuVW91A



Couple possible plants selections
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=768+2136&pcatid=2136
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=768+2553&pcatid=2553


Some Vivarium concepts ideas (post #2 picture #2)
http://www.terraforums.com/forums/showthread.php?129501-Let-s-see-your-planted-terrariums!

More design ideas (picture #2 and #4)
http://coolamphibians.blogspot.com/2009/01/vivarium-photos-from-vivarium-concepts.html
 
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for anyone following, here is a false bottom

[video=youtube;YcC2KhKFSyA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcC2KhKFSyA[/video]
 
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I'll take a pick of the pieces I have...I have some gorgeous manzanita and some heavy driftwood that you can help me get rid of (makes the wifey happy). If you're unfamiliar with manzanita, google it and lemme know if there's any interest (otherwise my laziness will tell me to forego pics :))
 
Sweet, I'm interested. I'm gonna need to make a road trip to visit. Yes I have read about manzanita, as well as ghostwood and cypress.
 
Cgslist has once again been fruitful. I've got an appointment to pick up a setup terrarium with a RETF for $80. A male 6 yr old frog from an experienced guy who is cutting back on hobbies, he also breeds snakes.

The RETF are easier to feed as you can feed gut loaded crickets, not fruit flies. A single frog will let me cut my herp teeth and gain some needed experience. It should also help me to design and build the big terrarium better the first time.

Pictures to come in the next couple days.
 
The silicone background has finally cured, so here it is installed with plants put into the wall.

This is all on the bottom shelf of the plant stand previously pictured.

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The glass dish in front is what I feed crickets in. This allows me to verify how many he ate and remove any he didn't.

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There are 3 broms(1 unknown from previous owner, a fireball, and a hannibal lector)
A jewel orchid(Goodyera schelechtendeliana)
Pilea glauca (Red Stem Tears)
A common heart leaved philodendron
The bottom is covered in sheet moss with a cork bark tube stream.
There is a false bottom, with a layer of clay leca, then a layer of eco earth.
 
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jm23 said:
It looks awesome! I love how you mixed it in with the other plants.
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Thanks Jon. I happy with it for my first attempt. Can't wait for things to grow out and see how it looks in the long run. I'll get the dslr out and get some better shots of the entire shelf in the near future.



DAS212 said:
how does the dish for the crickets work? is it to high for them to get out of or something?
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I clean the dish so it is spotless before feeding. The glass is so smooth they cannot get enough grip to climb or jump. After a couple of hours of scrambling around they just sit still, even when the frog jumps in and eats their cousins right next to them(stupid crickets.) It also helps that after dusting, the crickets slow down and become a bit clumbsy.



The little guy sleeping. He won't move until about 30 minutes after the lights go out tonight. The fans were reused from my old nano, so the guards have a bit of salt spray rust.

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jrpark22000 said:
Thanks Jon. I happy with it for my first attempt. Can't wait for things to grow out and see how it looks in the long run. I'll get the dslr out and get some better shots of the entire shelf in the near future.





I clean the dish so it is spotless before feeding. The glass is so smooth they cannot get enough grip to climb or jump. After a couple of hours of scrambling around they just sit still, even when the frog jumps in and eats their cousins right next to them(stupid crickets.) It also helps that after dusting, the crickets slow down and become a bit clumbsy.
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Good to know, on top of my reef I have to leopard geckos and that sounds like a good way of preventing crickets from running all over. Awesome setup by the way, really enjoying following this man
 
An old friend gave me the tip a few weeks ago, works like a champ. Glad you are enjoying, I'll keep it updated as I progress. Next is a friend for the RETF and collecting more supplies for the dart frog viv.
 
jrpark22000 said:
An old friend gave me the tip a few weeks ago, works like a champ. Glad you are enjoying, I'll keep it updated as I progress. Next is a friend for the RETF and collecting more supplies for the dart frog viv.
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I rescued the gecko over a year ago, since then I purchased another so he would have a friend. If it wasn't for having them, and a 57g SPS dominated reef to take care of I would love to get into darts. I have thought a lot about how I would do it but it would be a massive undertaking to care for all 3 ecosystems. Instead I will just have to enjoy tagging along on your thread!! good luck sir and please keep posting more pics
 
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