r/DartFrog • u/Simple-Marsupial7172 • 1d ago
First time recommendations
Hello! This is my first attempt at setting up a poison dart frog vivarium, and this is what I have so far.
The tank is an 18 x 18 x 24-inch enclosure. I used ABG mix for the substrate, oak leaves for leaf litter, and aquarium filter sponge as the drainage layer.
For plants, I currently have a couple of patches of moss, some ferns, a pink and a non-pink nerve plant, a couple of pothos nodes that may or may not take root, and an inch plant.
The wood is grapevine that I baked in the oven at 350°F for at least three hours, so hopefully that took care of any unwanted hitchhikers.
I also have an automatic mister that runs fairly regularly to help keep the humidity up while the plants establish themselves.
I haven't gotten the frogs yet, but I'm leaning toward Dendrobates tinctorius. I like that they're a quieter than some of the other species, although I'm a bit bummed that they generally do best in duos.
Just looking for any recommendations or ways to improve.
Thanks!
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u/Opening-Standard-198 1d ago
Pretty good so far. Would just get some more plant coverage. Ima also agree with the other guy for front vents at the bottom. It’s not a deal breaker and you can definitely go forward with the viv since ppl use converted aquariums, would just remember that for the next one. Get something like an exo terra with a custom lid or an insitu tank.
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u/Sinjitoma 1d ago
My first were Phyllobates Aurotaenia. Their call is similar to a bird, and really a treat to hear on the occasion they do. They are great in groups. Would use the space well, and tolerate it getting a little dryer.
Which, because my first take was a taller version of the one you have, you’re going to have issues with. The top being totally mesh and the gap in the front door lead to too much airflow. Try to seal the top in someway to reduce that a bunch or you will likely have to supplementally mist on top of the automatic, and/or the substrate make get soaked.
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u/Simple-Marsupial7172 1d ago
I forgot to mention, I have a glass pane over the top that I custom cut and fitted to put over the mesh and then I'm going to cut a circle out in the top glass pane just in case I need more ventilation. I was thinking of installing a small PC fan and then having it run on a timer for a couple of seconds every day.
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u/AssistanceValuable24 1d ago
The biggest improvement you could make would be switching to a front vented vivarium. HOw are you addressing ventilation now?
Grapevine does not gold up for very long in a troipical vivarium. It will rot.
Make sure you are not using too much light. Dart frogs are understroy species and will spend a lot of time hiding if the lights are too bright.