brand new to the hobby lots of questions

[paulamrein]

OK, let me preface by saying I'm very new, I am doing all the research FIRST instead of jumping in and starting without exploring all possibilities and having my first frogs die because I didn't know any better. My plan is starting with a 29g which used to be a saltwater set-up(I have a running 125g reef system) set up the 29g, have that run for a while without anything in it to ensure all features and plants are doing well perhaps start the good bacteria culture to ensure it's breaking down instead of having a possible ammonia spike in the environment. Get a fruit fly culture going and possibly explore other food alternative cultures. THAN get a pair frogs. My thought behind it is the wild environment was set up long before the frogs ever came about once conditions were right for them. And considering I'm trying to replicate wild conditions I should do the same. My time frame from now-to frogs is about a year or a little less. Once that is going for some time and I get a handle on things I would than make my dream vivarium already in the drawing stage.
(96"L x 48"W x30"T)
I work at a saltwater fish store and my day job is in printing so combined I have experience making tanks and an endless supply of acrilc,
water pumps and lighting.
And now for a few questions:
All my research so far has told me that you need a tight fitting lid to keep inhabitants in. Tight fitting meaning air tight? If that is the case do you rely on the plants for the oxygen? What if it has no live plants?
Secondly, are there any technics of introducing any species of bug into the environment that will thrive and reproduce on it's own for supplemental snack type foods?
That will do it for now, I realize that with the answers and research only come more questions :lol: so I'm sure you will see a lot of me on here.
Thanks and Thank you for this site, it's a wealth of information.

[MattySF]

Your lid must be tight fitting but, I would not neglect making a lid for you tank without including ventillation. Live plants real are the most benifical way to help balance these ecosystems. A good thing to do when setting up these tanks is to include spring tails and isopods in the substrate to help establish the biosystem and provide supplemental food for frogs.

[BBrianMo1]

what other isopods would work out other than springtails? I know I want to try to get a mix if possible.

[fknighton]

You can seed the tank with tropical woodlice as well as springtails. They will live in the "soil" and feed on mold, decaying plant matter and so on. Fran