Terrarium Minimalist Help

mom2twinsplus2 · 11-01-2009, 12:59 AM

OK...so something really sad happened today and one of my dart frogs died. My first focus right now is to figure out what happened and to learn whatever I can to keep my other dart frog safe and healthy.

But...once I figure out what is happened...I think I want to replace my frog that died and if I am ordering a frog anyhow, I have really been interested in maybe trying another species or two of dart frog which would mean needing a new terrarium or two <grin>...

Honestly, I have really very, very little free time (4 kids all with lots of activities and lots of pets-LOL) and terrarium design doesn't really interest me at all. The terrarium I have now I purchased from the frog breeder all set up and ready to go at Repticon but since he isn't local to me...I guess if I want to get more frogs before the next Repticon, I would have to design me own terrarium. I have been reading some about simple terrarium design...and I know that some frogs have special needs that I might need to take into account...but I am not quite at that point yet to even think about that...so just starting general...

I would need the bioballs, screen mesh, the fancy substrate stuff, magnolia leaves, a couple of plants (bromeliad and some type of ground cover stuff I guess), a piece of wood or coco hut or something to hide in and climb on....maybe a background. Does that sound about right? From my research, it seems like cork bark is a simple background and I just silicone it onto the back of the tank....some people seem to have pretty plants growing out of it as well...do you just plant the plant into a round tube of cork and glue it on as well or is there more to it than that? What about the bromeliad or ground cover things...do I just plant them in the dirt and let the roots find their way through the mesh and into the bioball system? What else would I need for a SIMPLE terrarium that would be good for the frogs..I want something functional and nice for the frog but as simple for me to do as possible. Also, how long should the terrarium be set up for before I even think about adding frogs to the mix...I would think the plants would need quite a while to get settled and be growing?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Alison

BrianD · 11-14-2009, 07:47 PM

I realize this thread is a couple weeks old by now and please ignore me if you have gotten the info you asked for, but I have a very simple "minimalist" viv solution for you depending on the species you are looking to house in it. This method is how I raise many of my juvie's and I got this method from a frogger who has been using it for many years.
OK, cheap and simple...
Instead of LECA/Hydroton or gravel, get a bag of styrofoam peanuts from the local UPS store. They run about 3 bucks a bag. Layer that about 2-3" thick on the floor of the viv. (I use this method in 10g and one of my 20g long viv's only) Layer about 2" of long fiber shpagnum moss on top of that. IME, no screen divider is necessary. Make sure you tuck around the edges well to prevent the frogs from getting under it. From here you can chose what plants you want to use, but by far the cheapest, fastest growing is pothos. 2-4 cuttings, a coco hut or 2 and a couple inches of leaf litter and your frogs (assuming they are terrestrial) will do fine as long as the humidity is kept up and the temps are kept down. Thumbnail frogs can be kept the exact same way but I recommend using a bromeliad or 2. This will also double as a great plant grow out tank where yu can take cuttings and throw them in until they root and grow.
All in all,
styro peanuts- 3.00
sphag moss- 10.00
pothos- 7.00 (walmart, home depot)
leaf litter- 5.00 (free if you have access)
10g tank- 12.00 (walmart, petsmart)
tank lid- 10.00 at local glass shop
hinge for glass lid- 5.00

about 50 bucks plus lighting. Cheap, easy and effective.

11-01-2009, 12:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
mom2twinsplus2 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 8	Terrarium Minimalist Help OK...so something really sad happened today and one of my dart frogs died. My first focus right now is to figure out what happened and to learn whatever I can to keep my other dart frog safe and healthy. But...once I figure out what is happened...I think I want to replace my frog that died and if I am ordering a frog anyhow, I have really been interested in maybe trying another species or two of dart frog which would mean needing a new terrarium or two <grin>... Honestly, I have really very, very little free time (4 kids all with lots of activities and lots of pets-LOL) and terrarium design doesn't really interest me at all. The terrarium I have now I purchased from the frog breeder all set up and ready to go at Repticon but since he isn't local to me...I guess if I want to get more frogs before the next Repticon, I would have to design me own terrarium. I have been reading some about simple terrarium design...and I know that some frogs have special needs that I might need to take into account...but I am not quite at that point yet to even think about that...so just starting general... I would need the bioballs, screen mesh, the fancy substrate stuff, magnolia leaves, a couple of plants (bromeliad and some type of ground cover stuff I guess), a piece of wood or coco hut or something to hide in and climb on....maybe a background. Does that sound about right? From my research, it seems like cork bark is a simple background and I just silicone it onto the back of the tank....some people seem to have pretty plants growing out of it as well...do you just plant the plant into a round tube of cork and glue it on as well or is there more to it than that? What about the bromeliad or ground cover things...do I just plant them in the dirt and let the roots find their way through the mesh and into the bioball system? What else would I need for a SIMPLE terrarium that would be good for the frogs..I want something functional and nice for the frog but as simple for me to do as possible. Also, how long should the terrarium be set up for before I even think about adding frogs to the mix...I would think the plants would need quite a while to get settled and be growing? Thanks in advance for any help! Alison

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11-14-2009, 07:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
BrianD Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 25	I realize this thread is a couple weeks old by now and please ignore me if you have gotten the info you asked for, but I have a very simple "minimalist" viv solution for you depending on the species you are looking to house in it. This method is how I raise many of my juvie's and I got this method from a frogger who has been using it for many years. OK, cheap and simple... Instead of LECA/Hydroton or gravel, get a bag of styrofoam peanuts from the local UPS store. They run about 3 bucks a bag. Layer that about 2-3" thick on the floor of the viv. (I use this method in 10g and one of my 20g long viv's only) Layer about 2" of long fiber shpagnum moss on top of that. IME, no screen divider is necessary. Make sure you tuck around the edges well to prevent the frogs from getting under it. From here you can chose what plants you want to use, but by far the cheapest, fastest growing is pothos. 2-4 cuttings, a coco hut or 2 and a couple inches of leaf litter and your frogs (assuming they are terrestrial) will do fine as long as the humidity is kept up and the temps are kept down. Thumbnail frogs can be kept the exact same way but I recommend using a bromeliad or 2. This will also double as a great plant grow out tank where yu can take cuttings and throw them in until they root and grow. All in all, styro peanuts- 3.00 sphag moss- 10.00 pothos- 7.00 (walmart, home depot) leaf litter- 5.00 (free if you have access) 10g tank- 12.00 (walmart, petsmart) tank lid- 10.00 at local glass shop hinge for glass lid- 5.00 about 50 bucks plus lighting. Cheap, easy and effective.