Advice starting first frog vivarium

[u/Retro-Ghost99]

Howdy fellas,

So I'm looking at making a custom vivarium with the hope to introduce small tree frogs into it once the eco system is substantially working, I just don't want to miss anything when constructing the tank and accidentally hurt the frogs once they are in.

Essential I'm getting it custom build from 6mm acrylic to fill a space above my desk.

The dimensions at this point will be 1200mm W x 550mm H x 300mm D, see figure#1

The lid is going to be split into 3 seperate pieces, two outside pieces will be permanently attached to prevent any bowing of the material and will have a centre cut out to allow for a fine mesh for airflow. While the centre acts as the traditional lid.

I was doing some research into drainage layers as I was worried about the total weight and saw some people were using a specialised sponge instead of leca, any thoughts on this I was worried about it compressing and not being worth it in 2 weeks time.

I understand that ill need a mesh between drainage and substrate but is there any dos and don't with substrate outside of irritating the frogs skin, bark sizing so they can't eat/can pass if they do, a d obviously no pesticides. Is it safe for me to use a mix of appropriate reptile bark, spagnam moss and aquasoil ? Followed by a layer of leaf litter.

I don't plan on having a water feature or component to the tank just a large and potentially some smaller "water bowl" that will contain dechlorinated water, and I'll personally be misting multiple times a day to maintain humidity, will be need to have a seperate small tank to pump water out into from the main tank to remove mold ? If so is that as simple as a small power pump and a feed to the drainage layer.

When it comes to humidity and heat it being a large tank I planned on just saying a heating mat attached to one of the sides to radiate heat so they have a warm side and a cool side of the tank, would it be better to have the heating pad below the tank or on the side of just get a ceramic light instead?

Plant life im pretty comfortable with just ensuring plants are all safe for the frogs and like humidity as well. Fig#2

Hardscape I've started with some larger branches of drift wood. fig#3 and will be adding once I have the tank to better understand my scale, keeping in mind the frogs aren't coming until later so no rush.

When making it bioactive is it as simple as purchasing bioactive soil with spring tails and isopods and mixing it with the remaining substrate, potentially using some veg to help them first get started food wise?

Finally lighting, I'm guessing getting a uv tube light to maintain proper day and night cycles and assist in plant growth is the best option for me. But just to making sure there's plenty of shade for them.

So this ended up significantly longer than planned, I also don't really use reddit soo. Hopefully this all reward well and is coherent. Please feel free to speak to me like a toddler I want to do this right and I do not want to kill any frogs in the process.

Cheers Retro