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

Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

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Plastic Film Can Tricks and Tips
#1
I get a lot of people asking about film cans and their use in our hobby. I think that, no matter what secies, they are pretty valuable for hides as well as egg deposition sites or tadpole bowers.

Some of my thoughts:

1. Some frogs prefer white and some like black. I've heard some of the thumbnails use the white more. My Vanzo's do.

2. They should be mounted at many different heights in the viv. Even some can be laid on the ground. You never know the exact position and angle that will be best, so some experimentation may be in order.

3. Cluster of three (03) cans seems to work well for a lot of people. I think the frogs find extra security in the larger can clusters - more so than a single, lone can.

4. You can cut a film can completely in half and insert it into the other film can, and it will act like a "tray" that you can pull out to inspect or transfer eggs ect. Very sharp, large craft sissors work well for this. Just snip em' in half.

5. Film cans are still available for free at Walmart and other big and small stores. Just ask around for them. eBay also has them in large quantities, but be prepared to pay $$$ for them there.

6. Black film cans are Kodak brand and actually cost more than other film, so the amount of black film cans may be less common than white.
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#2
a few more....

Some breeders of Obligates ect, purposely eshew bromeliads and water holding plants and provide film cans only, to have more ability and control over the tads ect. Ever see Rich F's pum tad pics? That's why he does it.

I personally subscribe to the idea of "giving them multiple options". I use broms and cans in all my vivs, at different angles, groups and locations. I do not feel that they take away from the look of the viv either, although some people tell me that the cans can spoil the natural look of a viv. I really don't "see" them anymore, at all.
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#3
here's a shot of a double while film can "cluster" as well as a "tray insert" visible....

dart-frog-photographs-wild-habitat-pics-f37/valentines-day-r-vanzolinii-in-love-t4162.html
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#4
I also use them as feeding stations. I make a paste out of banana and superpig. Stuff the can, FF's will hang around the can and lay eggs in the mush. Froglets quickly learn this is where the maggots and springtails are congregated. If you lift a can that has been in the tank for a while the Microfauna underneath is extreamly rich. This method also helps keep the number of ff escapees down for me, they no longer have a desire to exit the viv. FF media is another option for putting in the cans. I know some guys do this on a larger scale with full size FF cups but my vivs are in the front living room and no body wants to see those large unsighly containers full of maggots
"He that is slow to believe anything and everything is of great understanding, for belief in one false principle is the beginning of all unwisdom" LaVey
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#5
Film cans are GREAT for transporting tadpoles and even shipping frogs and tads.

I'll make a thread on my "film can shipping box" sometime here soon....
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#6
Took a pic sunday when I was feeding the frogs

mmm doesnt it make you hungry!

[Image: IMG_0927.jpg]
"He that is slow to believe anything and everything is of great understanding, for belief in one false principle is the beginning of all unwisdom" LaVey
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#7
Wow. Do you ever worry that a frog will become stuck in one of those ?

Ever see that plastic Crotchet screen found at Michael's craft stores ? That stuff is easy to cut and I use it with many containers to prevent the frogs from coming in contact with gooey stuff, while still allowing the flies to get in and out of the container....
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#8
I have some floating around here from Walmart, I used it instead of screen as a substraight barrier in my first tank build. Never had a frog go into those film cans so the thought never really occured. They usually perch ontop of the can or under a leaf in front of if they are going for springs. I lay the cans on their side in the bottom of the viv...once it gets misted a few times it is more of a soup. If you honestly think its a hazard though i could start using the screen.
"He that is slow to believe anything and everything is of great understanding, for belief in one false principle is the beginning of all unwisdom" LaVey
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#9
It's one of those things that could happen....may never happen....but could.

Film cans full of water have drowned some species.
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#10
Cans are getting harder to come by....
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#11
I recycle these .... Kuerig K-Cups.
Tully's coffee comes in black. Some other brands in brown cups.
Cut open the tops of used ones, empty out the spent coffee & wash well.
The plastic is thinner plastic than film canisters.
And they are "food grade" plastic, if there is such a thing.
I use long "T" pins to pin them into logs and wood / cork bark background at 45 degree angle.
You can also do the suction cup thing with them.
Cheers,
Todd
www.LightYourReptiles.com
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#12
suddenly theres going to be a creamer shortage at work.... >.>
"He that is slow to believe anything and everything is of great understanding, for belief in one false principle is the beginning of all unwisdom" LaVey
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#13
In addition to film cans, as alternative, I save the clear orange med bottles. They are deeper than film cans but the same diameter. They could be cut down if any concern for being too long.
Scott - North Dallas
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