Please Help

ArrowHawk · 02-04-2010, 07:49 AM

I'm getting ready to set up my first Dart Frog Vivarium and I have a few questions. If you see anything that will make my set up better please feel free to speak up.

First off I haven't decided on a Tank Size yet but its either going to be a 40 Gallon Breeder or a 90 Gallon (which I already have). Either way one day I will have both seup.

I'm going to go with a False Bottom, which brings up the first question, how deep are these normally?, beacuse I was going to have a heater in the false bottom which brings up the next question, do I use a fish tank heater and keep the false bottom filled with water or not? Also with the egg crate and screen in place what prevents substrate from working thru the Hydroton and into the false bottom?

I'll just start with these few questions and add as I start designing and building my tank.

Thanks in advance

Socalsam · 02-05-2010, 11:02 AM

The false bottom is usually around 2 to 3 inches. And a submersable heater will help with temp and humidity. Once the false bottom and hydroton is in tank you want to cover all of it, even over the hydroton. I use normal windrow screening. The gaps in the screen are small enough to let the substrate drain and it keeps the substrate from falling down into the drainage layer. I hope this helps.

ArrowHawk · 02-05-2010, 11:18 AM

Yes thank you
I was thinking the screen went between the egg crate and hydroton, good thing I asked.

Kermit · 02-10-2010, 11:13 PM

Socalsam explained it just right. but I went 3 inches from the bottom using the egg crate, It fits the fish heater well and my waterpump.

ArrowHawk · 02-11-2010, 08:31 AM

Kermit
I going to use my 90 to make a viv so 3" will not look bad.
What type of wter pump did you use?

Also how deep is the Hydroton?

Sorry about the dumb questions I just want to get it right

Kermit · 02-11-2010, 11:43 PM

I used bark chips insted of hydroballs i went about 2 inches on that and 2 inches of soil. For my pump i used the exo terra 250 water pump.

ArrowHawk · 02-15-2010, 01:24 PM

Next Question:

When putting plants in, do I need to put them in pots sitting on the egg create or do I plant them into the substrate after rinsing the roots and plant off?

Jeffdart · 02-15-2010, 01:56 PM

You can plant them directly into the soil. You don't want the roots of your plant to get too saturated because they will start to rot.

ArrowHawk · 02-16-2010, 08:16 AM

Thanks for the input

I believe I am ready to start. I'm going pretty much basic on this one being that its the first one. I'm not going to do any water features or background this time around.

I will post pics when the 90 is up and running.

---------- Post added at 08:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:44 AM ----------

ok one more question

I was getting ready to order the hydroton when I noticed it comes in different sizes.

Which one does everyone use, what should I go with?

Thanks for all the help

Rich Frye · 02-16-2010, 04:32 PM

What are the low temps in the room you will be keeping the frogs in? Unless the room gets down into the 62 or below range for long periods of time a heater is not needed at all. Humidity is easily adjusted by closing off ventilation.

Rich

02-04-2010, 07:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
ArrowHawk Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 9	Please Help I'm getting ready to set up my first Dart Frog Vivarium and I have a few questions. If you see anything that will make my set up better please feel free to speak up. First off I haven't decided on a Tank Size yet but its either going to be a 40 Gallon Breeder or a 90 Gallon (which I already have). Either way one day I will have both seup. I'm going to go with a False Bottom, which brings up the first question, how deep are these normally?, beacuse I was going to have a heater in the false bottom which brings up the next question, do I use a fish tank heater and keep the false bottom filled with water or not? Also with the egg crate and screen in place what prevents substrate from working thru the Hydroton and into the false bottom? I'll just start with these few questions and add as I start designing and building my tank. Thanks in advance

02-05-2010, 11:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Socalsam Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Murrieta, Ca Posts: 433 Real Name: Sam Cavoulas	The false bottom is usually around 2 to 3 inches. And a submersable heater will help with temp and humidity. Once the false bottom and hydroton is in tank you want to cover all of it, even over the hydroton. I use normal windrow screening. The gaps in the screen are small enough to let the substrate drain and it keeps the substrate from falling down into the drainage layer. I hope this helps. __________________ A few frogs.

02-05-2010, 11:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
ArrowHawk Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 9	Yes thank you I was thinking the screen went between the egg crate and hydroton, good thing I asked. Last edited by ArrowHawk; 02-05-2010 at 11:21 AM..

02-11-2010, 08:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
ArrowHawk Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 9	Kermit I going to use my 90 to make a viv so 3" will not look bad. What type of wter pump did you use? Also how deep is the Hydroton? Sorry about the dumb questions I just want to get it right Last edited by ArrowHawk; 02-11-2010 at 08:39 AM..

02-16-2010, 04:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rich Frye Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 175	What are the low temps in the room you will be keeping the frogs in? Unless the room gets down into the 62 or below range for long periods of time a heater is not needed at all. Humidity is easily adjusted by closing off ventilation. Rich __________________ Please enjoy Fryebrothersfrogs.com

02-10-2010, 11:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kermit Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Riverside California Posts: 43	Socalsam explained it just right. but I went 3 inches from the bottom using the egg crate, It fits the fish heater well and my waterpump.

02-11-2010, 11:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kermit Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Riverside California Posts: 43	I used bark chips insted of hydroballs i went about 2 inches on that and 2 inches of soil. For my pump i used the exo terra 250 water pump.

02-15-2010, 01:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
ArrowHawk Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 9	Next Question: When putting plants in, do I need to put them in pots sitting on the egg create or do I plant them into the substrate after rinsing the roots and plant off?

02-15-2010, 01:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jeffdart Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 34	You can plant them directly into the soil. You don't want the roots of your plant to get too saturated because they will start to rot.

02-16-2010, 08:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
ArrowHawk Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 9	Thanks for the input I believe I am ready to start. I'm going pretty much basic on this one being that its the first one. I'm not going to do any water features or background this time around. I will post pics when the 90 is up and running. ---------- Post added at 08:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:44 AM ---------- ok one more question I was getting ready to order the hydroton when I noticed it comes in different sizes. Which one does everyone use, what should I go with? Thanks for all the help

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