New here :)

[HappyHerper]

Hello all, im new to this forum and i currently keep a BCI a Bloodred corn and a Gargoyle gecko. Ive used the search bar but i cant find specifics. This weekend im going to a local show and a few vendors breed pdf. So i can ask them questions as well. First- Where do i start?! I dont plan on keeping ALOT of frogs, a pair would be great. I have a brand new Zoomed 12x12x18 but i read this isnt suitable for a pair. Besides a larger Zoomed/Exoterra would it be a disadvantage to getting an aquarium of 20gal? What should i look for in an encloser (i.e. doors or open top, glass or plastic)? Second- I like the Blue and yellow ones, lol, not sure of the name. Is that ok for a beginner? Any crucial info that a TOTAL BEGINNER should know before i adventure into this?? Thanks!

[Philsuma]

Welcome !

Where is your local Show ? Some Reptiles show are very good for Dart Frogs, and others not so much so.

Zoomeds or Exoterras are better than standard glass fish tanks. Unlike Snakes, it's very much easier to be able to access the tank thru the front instead of the top. Easier to clean the front of the tank - moisture, algae ect, as well.

The common Blue dart frogs are - "azureus" and the commonly available Yellow Dart Frogs are "leucomelas or Leucs". Both species are relatively common, inexpensive and easy to keep and recommended for beginners.

Just keep hanging out here....reading a lot...posting questions.

Be sure to read the "Sticky" post in the Beginners section too.

[HappyHerper]

I live 30 miles north of detroit. Its the Taylor show. Its this saturday. I recieved my tax money and i can get another herp. I really want a GTP but i came across PDF and now im confused about what to keep. It jus seems the setup and maintenence would be alot. What kind of general weekly stuff needs to be done? With my other herps it is jus spot cleans and daily/weekly feedings water chamge ect, this seems abit more complicated. Am i wrong?

[HappyHerper]

And I saw a pic of the one i like, it was called a "tinc". What is it full name ? and is that also a beginner species ?

[Philsuma]

Dart Frogs are both easier and harder to keep, than most Herps. Weird answer, I know...

Culturing their food - Wingless Fruit Flies is easier than culturing Crickets or Mice.

Tinctorius or "Tincs" are a good beginner species too.

Read up on stuff here....find a Dart Frog vendor at that Detroit show and ask them a ton of questions while you are there.

Whatever you do....do NOT buy a frog there on impulse. I think you need a lot more research and info gathering. Nothing wrong with that though. Just be patient.

[HappyHerper]

Trust me im in NO HURRY hahah. With these little beauties it seems that you need to run the enviroment for a while before frog are introduced! More about the zoomed i have. What is your input? Is it too small? hahaha im sorry I prolly should be using the search bar lol

[D3monic]

I would definatly figure out which frog you want for sure first as different species have different tank requirements. For example Tincs are primarily terrestrial so a tank that provides lots of floor space is Ideal. While on the other hand Thumbnails such as imitators are generally arboreal utilizing all of the tanks space usually more vertical than terrestrial.

A 20gal horizontal would work for a pair of most dendrobates....some would argue larger and some would claim smaller. I do not really recommend anything smaller than 20 gallons though.

For a species such as thumbs I would concider a min 20gal vertically. I primarily use larger exo terra tanks. For a trio (soon to only be a pair) of imitators I use a 18x18x24. They utilize all the space. For my trio of Benedicta they are going in a 24x18x24 which is a rather large tank. My retics which are concidered the smallest of thumbs and more terrestrial they are going in a 24x18x18 giving them more floor than vertical space.

Pums on the other hand I would probably concider a 18" cube or something.

Well, you get the general idea. If you got the space the bigger the better thats for sure. Even Tincs will utilize some of the vertical space if given ways to climb.

[DKOOISTRA]

Welcome to the board, good to see another Michigan frogger (I'm over twords Grand Rapids). As far as them being harder to keep than other herps, I cant say as frogs are all I have. I can say, from looking at other herp enclosures, that the most "challenging" part about getting started is building a proper tank, which is where the research comes in. However, once the tank is set up, and the frogs are home, I dont think its that much of a demand, more a matter of getting into a routine. You'll have to do fruitfly cultures about 1x per week, but on one tank, youll probably only need 2 or 3 cultures, and thats really only in case 1 culture crashes/has issues. Misting the tank, some people do it 2x per day, some every other day, depends on the tank (how well it holds the humidity), plants and breeding goals.

Definitely, as d3 pointed out, pick a frog first, each is a little different in what they require. The more research you do and the more questions you ask the more enjoyable your experience will be in the end.
Derek