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

Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

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Need help on setup! Please!(:
#1
I just recently did a new setup for my dart frog tank and im not too sure about it.
Anyone have any suggestions? Also are fruit flies good for them to eat and what other things do they like to eat? Big Grin
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#2
this is the tank we need suggestions on please(:
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#3
Hey there, i may be of some help. Ill start from the top down.

First things first, the screen lid you have needs to be covered up with glass. About 90% of it. It really helps to keep the humidity in. You can get glass cut for just a few dollars at ace hardware or local hardware store.

Second, you may want to consider creating a hard scape with the background. Or at minimal picking up one of those tree fern panels that fit the back. That specific tank should have came with something of the sort. This basically gives your frogs more usable space. Plus gives your plants and such more stuff to grab onto for vines.

Third, we'll talk about substrate. You need to learn how to create a "false bottom". The search feature on the specific site is really helpful. Just search "false bottom". A general over view of what the substrate should consist of is creating a drainage layer and then a layer of soil, moss, and then leaf litter. Right now there is wayyyy to much water in there. Dart frogs do not need any standing water and babies and some adults are well known for drowning (never would of thought a frog could drown right!? haha). Definitely remove all of that water in the bottom.

After your substrate layer and background is setup you can go ahead and plant the plants straight into the soil. I would then consider looking for some more wood features and hiding areas for your frogs. The more hiding spots, the more often you will see them =)

Fruitflies are the perfect stable for dart frogs. It is very important that you dust your flies with high quality vitamins.

Do you know what type of dart frogs you are looking to get? Dart frogs are really an awesome pet and experience but it is extremely important that you do your research before purchasing your frogs. Im afraid your frogs will not live very long if they were places in this current setup. But hey! Thats why your here and we're ready to help.

If you have gotten your frogs already, it is okay. But it is extremely important to start making drastic changes to their tank. I would recommend moving them to a temporary tank. It could be a simple plastic tub (bigger is better) with some wet moss and leaf litter for substrate and some plants. Just to hold them over until we can get this tank looking good! Keep researching and ask as many questions as you would like.

Here is a good video to get you started. I highly recommend all of his products.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEtn3di1Cz0
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
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#4
Hopefully some of the other folks here can fill in the gaps for you.
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
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#5
thank you! and the top is covered with plexie glass(however you spell it lol)
so yes i never thought frogs could drown, lol. Right now we have two, one has an orange stripe and the other has a red stripe down the back, and they rest of their body is black. the last setup we had wasn't good at all, so we just did a very quick setup, as you can tell, till we find one we really like. We found this one and we are going to give it a try :mrgreen:
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#6
but of course more hiding spots and wood(:
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#7
This one definitely has a far better foundation. Definitely look into getting some leaf litter and moss for the top of the substrate. It helps keep the frogs from tracking dirt around and irritating their skin. Plus if you decide to "seed" your vivarium (another thing to search =)) it gives the springtails and isopods a nice little environment. Your frogs will love picking through the leafs, picking off little food items.

Plexyglass will do the job for now, in my experience it always warps and i end up throwing it out. I hope it works for you! I know some people do not have a problem with it lol. Just my luck =/

I would recommend another coco hut for the 2nd frog. That way both frogs have a separate hiding spot that they can call their own.

Im afraid mixing species is frowned upon in this hobby for many reasons. In summary, territorial problems, diseases, and mixed breeding. So eventually those two species will need separate tanks. Unfortunately, many stores that sell dart frogs are full of bad advice and are often just trying to "push" their products. Not your fault, its the venders.

On the other hand, i am sure all of us would really like to see a picture of your frogs =)

Until you get that other tank setup properly, the only other things i see this tank may need would be some wood features. Stuff to block the view between frogs. More hiding spots and ups and downs. Maybe a bigger plant or two?

I may just be rambling now, im tired lol. I hope i helped some. I am sure someone else will chime in and fill the gaps.

Keep researching! and welcome to the hobby!!!
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
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#8
dont mind your rambling at all!
and you helped out alot and we will deffinately be posting more pics as we get it setup.
Way more friendly than the ones my fiance' said were on the puffer fish forum she is on, since she is setting up her first puffer tank lol.

Anywho, thanks for all the help, if i have anymore questions i know where to go!(:
will be posting more pics soon!
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#9
It looks as if you have an open culture of fruit flies in the tank in your first photo. It would be a good idea to search how to make fruit fly cultures. You will also want to take out the culture from the tank. It is important to dust your fruit flies with a good vitamin supplement. Repashy calcium plus is what i use. The best way to dust the flies will be to dump a few of them into an empty jar with a little supplement and shake them around until the flies are covered in the dust then shake the flies into the tank with the frogs. Try not to get the excess powder into the tank. It will take you a little time to get down how many flies to use each feeding i would start with about 50 flies per frog about every other day. If the frog starts looking thin add more flies if it gets fat cut down on the flies.
~Master Yoda

"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good, you will not, hmmm?"
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#10
Take a look at the 4 or so top, sticky-ed threads on this subforum. The are chock o block full of pics on well made tanks and enclosures.

viewforum.php?f=36

here's the beginner forum: viewforum.php?f=27
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#11
dynekevin Wrote:Right now there is wayyyy to much water in there. Dart frogs do not need any standing water and babies and some adults are well known for drowning (never would of thought a frog could drown right!? haha). Definitely remove all of that water in the bottom.

I'm afraid I disagree. I have that much water and more in my tanks and not a single drowning. As a matter of fact, the ponds are full of tads and they frogs use the water on a regular basis when breeding. I do agree in the first tank there was too much water to land though.

Best
Glenn
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#12
Karlie&Cody Wrote:I just recently did a new setup for my dart frog tank and im not too sure about it.
Anyone have any suggestions? Also are fruit flies good for them to eat and what other things do they like to eat? Big Grin

Hello, you might want to include your location in your info. Then, maybe someone local can invite you over and show you their setups and/or give you some pointers...its the best way to learn IMO.
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#13
frogfreak Wrote:
dynekevin Wrote:Right now there is wayyyy to much water in there. Dart frogs do not need any standing water and babies and some adults are well known for drowning (never would of thought a frog could drown right!? haha). Definitely remove all of that water in the bottom.

I'm afraid I disagree. I have that much water and more in my tanks and not a single drowning. As a matter of fact, the ponds are full of tads and they frogs use the water on a regular basis when breeding. I do agree in the first tank there was too much water to land though.

Best

I was tired and that was essentially what i was getting at.
Azureus - Imitators "Cainarachi Valley" - Leucomelas - Black Jeans
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#14
All potential issues and problems aside, new hobbyists should refrain from a huge water feature / waterfall / cascade / stream and concentrate on the myriad of challenges that the animals themselves present.
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#15
cbreon Wrote:
Karlie&Cody Wrote:I just recently did a new setup for my dart frog tank and im not too sure about it.
Anyone have any suggestions? Also are fruit flies good for them to eat and what other things do they like to eat? Big Grin

Hello, you might want to include your location in your info. Then, maybe someone local can invite you over and show you their setups and/or give you some pointers...its the best way to learn IMO.


We live in Houston, Tx
And yes we recently did that to our fruit flies, thanks for the info :mrgreen:
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