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Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

Looking for ideas for my first PDFs
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Looking for ideas for my first PDFs
#1
Hello,

I was asking quite a few questions in my introduction topic, but thought this would be a more suitable place to get some answers. I've narrowed down some choices, but really need some help from experienced hobbyists.

My viv will be 36x18x36

I have two options that I'm considering.

The first is to keep it as a very large viv with one species.
The second is to separate it down the center and house two species which would make each enclosure 18x18x18

The species I'm most interested in are

Azureus
Leucs
Orange Terribilis
Possibly other Tincts (depending on grouping ability)

I'm looking for PDFs that will utilize the entire viv, be bold, and colorful, and forgiving of a new hobbyist.

Does anyone have any options on what would do well in a large viv like this, even if it isn't one that I've posted. I'm open to other species if they are colorful, bold, and would utilize the room well. I'm sure there are tons of species that I haven't discovered yet that would be perfect.. but being new to this hobby, I could use any help.

Keep in mind that the viv isn't set up yet and could be altered to match the conditions that any species would need.

Thanks,
Tonya
~Tonya

0.0.5 Leucomelas
1.1 Oyapock
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#2
Terriblillis meets all your requirements - great group frog, big and bold and great aggressive feeders.
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#3
oh..I'd also keep the vivarium as one large single species enclosure. Much easier to clean and maintain. Less risk of transfer of pathogens and disease. With your first viv - go simple !
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#4
Thanks for the advice!

I'm curious to know, do terribillis meet the requirements better than a group of luecs?

Another question that I have.. do any of them offer the ability to be grouped in larger numbers.. such as 5 or 6 in the viv?
~Tonya

0.0.5 Leucomelas
1.1 Oyapock
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#5
Leucomelas would be my second choice. They are a 'better' group frog than Tincs.

5-6 Leucs or Terribs are commonplace in the hobby - both decent group/colony species.
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#6
Hi Tonya
Another great beginner frog that fits your criteria, has excellent call, bold, and works well in a colony is the Yellow Truncatus. Not as common, but an interesting alternative to the perennial fav "luecs".

Best scenario is decide based on local selection if possible, else purchase online from a reputable dealer. Avoid bargain hunting on your first frogs.

Happy New Year
Scott - North Dallas
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#7
Philsuma Wrote:Terriblillis meets all your requirements - great group frog, big and bold and great aggressive feeders.
Yup. Absolutely do better in big groups , in a big viv, than any other dart. Bolder too.
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
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#8
If you split the 36x36x18 in half with a vertical piece of glass, wouldn't each side still be 36" tall...so 18x18x36 instead of 18 cube?

I vote leucs, 36" in height is a long climb for a big bodied adult terribilis. If you went with the terribs, I would make sure the background is really 3D to give them "stairs" to climb and use big branches for the woodwork.
ZG
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#9
goods Wrote:If you split the 36x36x18 in half with a vertical piece of glass, wouldn't each side still be 36" tall...so 18x18x36 instead of 18 cube?

I vote leucs, 36" in height is a long climb for a big bodied adult terribilis. If you went with the terribs, I would make sure the background is really 3D to give them "stairs" to climb and use big branches for the woodwork.

36x18x36 is an odd dimension for a dart tank. But big tincs , leucs , etc. will have the same issues essentially as the terribilis. And I have found terribilis tougher than tincs and luecs , in general.
As far as the structure of the tank goes, I'd build the viv essentially the same for any large dart , from terribilis to tincs to leucs. Terribilis just do the best (far and away) in larger groups.
I also always like to give the frogs access to climbing as much of the tank as they like using branches/stumps for most of the 'steps'.
If there was a way to properly display the viv with 36x36 as the base , with 360 degree viewing it would be the way to go for 'ground dwellers'.
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
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#10
goods Wrote:If you split the 36x36x18 in half with a vertical piece of glass, wouldn't each side still be 36" tall...so 18x18x36 instead of 18 cube?

Yes it would.. it was very late that night and my math wasn't quite up to par lol.

I agree, it is an odd size for a PDF viv.. but I am new to this. If something that size could be harmful then I'd be more than happy to reconsider the size.. maybe by placing a few smaller vivs next to each other for the illusion of a larger setup.
~Tonya

0.0.5 Leucomelas
1.1 Oyapock
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#11
Seems like most are leaning on the terribilis side. I appreciate all of the opinions and help. The hard part about this entire process is deciding on which PDF to get. It is nearly impossible so I see additional viv setups in my future lol.

Might I ask, what is the 'average' size viv for PDF hobbyists? The reason that I wanted to go larger was to add climbing areas in the back (possibly the foam that I've been reading so much about) with a very shallow water feature. I know that these take up room and didn't want to crowd the PDFs.
~Tonya

0.0.5 Leucomelas
1.1 Oyapock
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#12
far from exact but a decent reference is 10 'gallons' of 'size' per adult frog. Now, this can be 'expanded' if you have excellent hardscaping / background that translates into usable space and not just bare glass, sides ect.
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#13
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4591
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#14
so...how are your frogs doing ?
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#15
They are doing great, thanks! I ended up getting a group of 5 young leucs around a month ago. They are very active, and just great to have. It has started my addiction to say the least.

I have some pics on my computer and I will try to upload them tomorrow.
~Tonya

0.0.5 Leucomelas
1.1 Oyapock
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#16
Hello everyone!

Just wanted to stop in and share a few pics of my frogs.

Here are a few of my leucomelas.
[Image: photo21_zpsb24939f3.jpg]

[Image: photo19_zpsbd6022a7.jpg]

[Image: photo14_zpsc4d3f57b.jpg]

[Image: photo20_zps45b7f992.jpg]

[Image: photo15_zps493749d7.jpg]


I've also added a couple of Oyapock to the family as well.. so I'll share a few pics of them Smile

[Image: photo32_zps92ea21e1.jpg]

[Image: photo37_zps3689a5b8.jpg]

[Image: photo35_zps3a3c62c5.jpg]

[Image: photo30_zpseb688c58.jpg]

Thanks for taking the time to view them!
~Tonya

0.0.5 Leucomelas
1.1 Oyapock
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#17
They look great - Leucs are always a fav of mine.
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#18
Thanks! I can see why they would be. Mine are very bold, inquisitive, and at times even comical with how they act. I've had them for around 3+ months. I've read that leucs (although not breeding age) will start calling earlier than a lot of other frogs. I'm hoping that is true so I can get some idea of what I have in the group.

The oyapocks are a probable pair... but we will see where that goes lol. Wink
~Tonya

0.0.5 Leucomelas
1.1 Oyapock
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#19
Great pix, Moriko, and I love your viv! That pond/waterfall in the 1st pix is gorgeous.
I've had my leuc pair for almost a year, and enjoy them, but we got a single Oyapok in March, and we adore her! She is SO bold, out and about all the time! We will be looking for a boyfriend for her soon.
Good luck with all your babies!
Diane
P. Terribilis orange, R. Imitator Cainarachi Valley, D. Leucomelas, D. Auratus, D. Azureus, P. vittatus, D. cobalts, D.Oyapok, Bombina Orientalis
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#20
Thanks Diane! I can't take complete credit for the waterfall though.. It was my first viv and I'd read the horror stories of water feature disasters.. so I bought a decorative reptofilter and GS'd it into my corner. Then I just ran my tubing from my humidifier through it lol. I was so worried that I'd end up destroying the rest of the tank if I did it myself on my first run.

Good luck on your search for a male! I adore my oyapocks.. but my leucs are still my favorite. They are the boldest little guys. My Oyapock are out for most of the day.. but hide away mid-afternoon.

I'm getting ready to start on my 3rd build for a group of southern variabilis. I'm going to put tons of time into that one.. and probably won't have it finished until fall.. maybe even later. I have big plans for that one.. and little know how of what I'm doing lol. There is going to be a lot of research going on to say the least!
~Tonya

0.0.5 Leucomelas
1.1 Oyapock
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