Dart Den
Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...
Dart Den

Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Is this lighting sufficient ?
#1
Hey guys, Kevin here.

As you all know my vivarium is finished (18x18x24).
I am looking for your guys opinion on lighting for
darts. I bought the zoomed lighting fixture which as slots
for two bulbs. I bought two 6700k full day light
spectrum florescent for each of the slots.

Do you guys think there will be sufficient lighting
from just one of the bulbs? It seems that much of the
humidity is evaporating from the heat coming off of
the bulbs. As well as the top of the tank seems to
dry out by the next misting. Is this normal?

The humidity gauge i bought was **** so i threw
it out. Ill be picking up a new digital one at my next
pay check. For those that are wondering i have indeed
covered about 90% of the top with acrylic. Although,
i will be replacing the acrylic with glass shortly.

There are no frogs in the tank so i do not have to worry
about fooling around in there with a bunch of frogs bouncing
around lol.

Any feedback with be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

-Kevin
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
Reply
#2
Hi Kevin.
Do you have one strip across the top? 2 x 25 watt CFL bulbs?
Or 2 strips, 4 bulbs?
And..have you glassed over any of the screen top to keep humidity in?
I have covered over 60 - 80% of the tops on mine with glass.
Also, you may want to put strips of black eletrical tape over the vent under the door in the front. Helps keep humidity in, too.

Todd
Reply
#3
oops, I didn't see where you said you had already covered the top. so you already have got that base covered.
Reply
#4
i have the zoomed fixture which as 2 bulb spots. Not strips though.

I am using....

2 - 26wat repti glo (2.0uvb) Full spectrum

6700k color temperature each
w/ high colour rendering index of 98 (cri)
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
Reply
#5
sorry about posting in the wrong forum.. didnt see the lighting section =//
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
Reply
#6
No worries Kevin.....posting is posting. It's all good.

Lighting - as you can see from a bunch of recent mini discussions, is highly debatable.

Conditions are so variable for lighting recommendations:

1. Size, depth and overall hardscape of enclosure.
2. Type of plants - lighting is really only for the plants benefit.

If you really want to be safe...by a Pro Exotics laser temperature gun. It's only @ $30.00 and it's a tool that is easily in my top 5 of essential tools for this hobby. That way, you can be sure of not only your lighting and the temps they produce, but also the ambiant / room temps.

Two quick things you can do if it appears to be too much heat from the fixture:

1. Make sure there is a 1-2 inch gap between the light and the glass lid.
2. Get a small clip fan or tiny Wal mart micro fan and have it blow across the top of the viv and light fixture (outside the tank).
https://www.facebook.com/dartden/

https://twitter.com/DartDen


"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
Reply
#7
My take on lighting for frogs vs. lighting for plants...

general-questions-f12/has-anyone-tried-lowering-their-lighting-t4901.html
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
Reply
#8
Philsuma - Hmm, how could i go about putting a 1-2inch gap from the glass to the fixture that would be aesthetically pleasing? Any suggestions?
Ill look into getting a fan as well from walmart or something. Would you just aim the fan towards the fixture in hopes it would cool it? The top of my viv is significantly drier than the bottom. =/

Rich - I actually have read of that thread and found it very interesting. Although, i will admit it did get out of my league and knowledge. Being new to everything in the hobby makes for rough reads sometimes =) but i did try and follow along.
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
Reply
#9
Either hang /suspend the light fixture from something - string, straps, bungee cords, zip ties....above the glass

or

use anything from small wood blocks, plastic blocks, film canister....about a million things can be used. If you choose or paint with a black colour - that will also help conceal things.

"Aesthetically pleasing" is in the eye of the beholder, obviously.

Direct the fan to blow along the length of the light fixture. There is nothing to "hope" about it. If a fan blows along a hot bulb / fixture (some are over 110F) then it WILL cool things somewhat.

The "gap" and fan methods are easy, quick preliminary cooling fixes until you get your feet under you with your viv.

As to humidity.....are you comfortable with the false bottom construction methods ? You should have standing water in the bottom of your viv as well....under the false bottom. This will help maintain your humidity along with a glass top.

You do not want more than a sliver - @ 10-15% of a slice of the top to be "open screen". The rest should be covered with glass. Many hobbyist cover 100% of the top with glass.

You should mist heavy every other day and check on the off days as to condensation on the plants and side. That visual inspection of water condensation is more accurate than any gauge. That will tell you that your humidity is good.
https://www.facebook.com/dartden/

https://twitter.com/DartDen


"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
Reply
#10
dynekevin Wrote:Rich - I actually have read of that thread and found it very interesting. Although, i will admit it did get out of my league and knowledge. Being new to everything in the hobby makes for rough reads sometimes =) but i did try and follow along.

It's simple really. Darts live for the most part in low light habitats. Most froggers use way too much light.

Rich
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
Reply
#11
Philsuma - Ill look into grabbing a few wooden blocks to mount the lighting fixture up a couple inchs.

As for the false bottom i did 1.5inchs of clay aggregate with weed blocker over it. There is very little water sitting in the bottom. Should i fill it a 1/2 inch or so? After a heavy misting there is condensation on the sides of the tank for a few hours. Although, the condensation will be there at 9am but by time i get home around 4 most evaporates. About 90% of the top of the viv is covered with acrylic currently (soon to be replaced with glass).

Thanks,

-Kevin
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
Reply
#12
Sounds good Kevin.

You could add 1/2 - 1 inch of water to the false bottom. The false bottom reservoir and side/top condensation from misting are gonna be your gauges telling you how humid the viv is but also, and just as important....telling you how long it stays humid before starting to dry out.

Then you take temp readings - Early, mid day and evening and soon you will develope a picture of the 'working" of your viv.

Temps, humidity, lights causing heat and evap, air circulation amount....it all ties into each other.
https://www.facebook.com/dartden/

https://twitter.com/DartDen


"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
Reply
#13
Okay awesome, i appreciate all the tips.

I have been monitoring the temp of my viv for the last week or so using a digital thermostat.
Temperature ranges have been between 71-76 throughout the day. This has been taken
from outside temperature ranges 70-92 (ac was on during the hottest days).

Even though the entire tank is condensation filled (top, sides, and front), the back top of
the tank where the greatstuff/cocomix is dries out. While the bottom is entirely soaking. Even
the plants directly under the light are drying out. I hope raising the fixture up a few inches will
reduce that.

Thanks again!
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
Reply
#14
Note: I added a bunch of water to the bottom.. the false bottom is about 1/2 full. I also turned off one of the lights.
We'll see if this helps the humidity.

LOL the spring tails are going nuts right now! Climbing for higher ground! hahaha
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
Reply
#15
What do you mean when you say "The bottom is soaking" and the springtails are flooded ?

The false bottom should ensure that the ABG / subsstate stays moist but never soaking / sopping.
https://www.facebook.com/dartden/

https://twitter.com/DartDen


"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
Reply
#16
Sorry for the pore choice of words there.
I mean the soil is moist/damp/wet where the top of the vivarium is dryer (by the lighting).

The false bottom is about 1/2 full of water. The ABG substrate is not water logged.
When i filled the bottom (pored spring water from 1gallon jug). The spring tails came running
out of the soil. They returned to there leaf litter now.

Hope that makes more sense.
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
Reply
#17
ok...gotcha.
https://www.facebook.com/dartden/

https://twitter.com/DartDen


"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
Reply
#18
dynekevin Wrote:i have the zoomed fixture which as 2 bulb spots. Not strips though.

I am using....

2 - 26wat repti glo (2.0uvb) Full spectrum

6700k color temperature each
w/ high colour rendering index of 98 (cri)

Those are pretty good.
That should be good for your viv.

If you are a brave do it yourselfer, :o you can do a mod and cut vent slots in the top of those fixtures. It allows for better convection through the fixture and it will run cooler.

But, I would go with what Phil suggested first and raise it up.... & add a small fan. :mrgreen:

Todd
Reply



User Panel Messages

Announcements
Announcement #1 8/1/2020
Announcement #2 8/2/2020
Announcement #3 8/6/2020