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Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

Conversion of 20g High to vertical
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Conversion of 20g High to vertical
#1
Hi, im looking into starting a viv, and i have a few questions. Im would like to convert a extra 20g i have laying around to a vertical tank. I have a few questions. Are there any DIY's to build the conversion kit yourself instead of buing it? Im pretty good at building things and i prefer to do that vs. buying one. Also, are there any really good in depth tutorials on how to set up a viv, specifically a false bottom? Ive gathered a good amount of information and i think im good to do it, but extra tutorials cant hurt :lol:. One more question, are plants for a viv safe to buy at home depot, or is that a bad idea because of pesticides/fertilizer? Thanks in advance!
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#2
Here's a great build / false bottom thread...

enclosures-setup-and-construction-f23/d3monic-s-super-build-thread-t4282.html

There may be a Vert door pic or thread...not quite a DIY though....somewhere in the 'Enclosures" subforum

Home Depot is...um...not the greatest for plants. Where do you live ? There are probably numerous hobbyists nearby as well as Reptile Shows where you can get MUCH better plants and better suited to vivariums....and pesticide free.
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#3
i was very skeptical of home depot thanks a lot for conforming my suspicions lol, and i live in NY, so im thinking maybe ill take a trip to a nursery.Thanks for the link btw!
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#4
If you can....attend the White Plains Reptile show in NY..."Black Jungle" terrarium supply is always there and they have Excellent plants and supplies. All you'll ever need..
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#5
reptidude1 Wrote:i was very skeptical of home depot thanks a lot for conforming my suspicions lol, and i live in NY, so im thinking maybe ill take a trip to a nursery.Thanks for the link btw!


Hi and welcome to Dart Den

Another tip is to wash the plant roots and after give the plant a quick bath in soapy water then rinse. Too many stories of people importing unwanted guests like slugs, centipedes.. etc

Regards
Scott
Scott - North Dallas
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#6
wouldnt this be to much stress for the plant though? And cause it to die? Also anyone have a good diy on a siphon? I know i works as drainage, but im a bit confused on how it works, thanks for the helpSmile
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#7
No...the light bleach solution followed by a fresh water wash is not bad for most all plants. But don't buy Homedepot or Lowes plants. We make fun of people who have those plants in a viv..."Oh THAT viv ? ...it's full of Lowes plants" snicker snicker...

What do you want to syphon ? Just use an aquarium tubing section or any given fish tank store squeeze bulb.

Water can stay in the viv and false bottom "forever"...it doesn't smell or anything. Frog vivariums have NO bad smell, unlike reptiles, mammals, fish ect.
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#8
reptidude1 Wrote:wouldnt this be to much stress for the plant though? And cause it to die? Also anyone have a good diy on a siphon? I know i works as drainage, but im a bit confused on how it works, thanks for the helpSmile

Nope, plants recoup just fine. As Phil indicated, you can also add light bleach to water in lieu of soap.

your other ques-
I bought a hand pump siphon at western auto parts for $10 - I often spray my vivs heavy to induce breeding or to keep broms full for tads and sometimes need to drop water level.
Scott - North Dallas
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#9
If you are buying from other froggers (stores, 'big guys' , real dart businesses) it is VERY important to sanitize the plants well. There are guys (one business mentioned specifically) who pull clippings from inhabited vivs. You have no idea what nasties could be in those random dart vivs.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


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#10
Okay, thanks for the advice. I'm starting to question now though if i wanna convert my 20g to vertical. If i do it seems a bit narrow, so i'm considering leaving it horizontal like Ive seen people do. I know its depending on the species for arboreal/terrestrial but the tank does have some nice height, and id like the floor space so i can put in a waterfall (i know the frogs don't need it, but its a display tank so id like one). I could fit one if i converted the tank but it seems a bit tight, with very little floor space. What do you guys think?
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#11
Go simple with your first tank and resist the urge to try a water feature - especially moving water like a waterfall or stream. Unless you have much experience with making them....your first one will most likely fail and then you'll have to uproot the vivarium and frogs and do it over or make do with a feature that most likely, you will not be pleased with.

Water features of a large or complex sort, need an equally large tank - much bigger than a 20 gallon. I wouldn't think of a stream, drip wall or cascade in less than a 40 -50 gallon size.

Any water that you have, means the frogs have that much less usable space / living space.
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#12
okay, so then ill stay without the waterfall. Now, do you guys think i should leave it or convert it to vertical? thanks.
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#13
also, wont there be a problem if i have a false bottom with no water circulation, like stagnant water?
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#14
Leave it Horizontal if you are going to get a couple Tincs, auratus or Leucomelas.

Make sure you get a well fitting glass top.

False bottom water is ok....won't smell...won't be stagnant like you think.
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#15
but how wouldn't it be stagnant if there is no circulation?
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#16
and so if i would be looking into 2-3 azureus, id go with the vertical then?
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#17
Many of the common substrates leach tannins...keeps the water pretty clean. Also, there is a cycle of evaporation and refill (from misting) so you really shouldn't have problems with stanky water. With that said, some people put an airstone in their FB's, but its not a necessity. If you want D.t. azureus you will want to keep it horizontal. I would also stick with 2 in a tank of that size.
-Field Smith
Some frogs...
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#18
Azureus are Tincs....all heavy bodied frogs do better in a Horizontal. Tincs are best kept in pairs and 2 is pretty much a best fir for a 20 gallon.

I've kept over 60 differnet vivs - most with false bottoms for over 7 years now.....the false bottom water is fine. It doesn't smell or create any problem.
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#19
got you, okay so ill keep it horizontal and use the false bottom. thanks a lot for all the help.
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#20
searching the forums a bit more, would a drip wall be a good idea? (not to over complicate things) i like the idea of that better then a actual waterfall and i wanted to know if that could run down the side of a background made using the great stuff, silicone,and ecoearth and run right into the substraight? will the water sink through the soil into the false bottom or cause the soil to become to moist?
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