Vivarium for Dart Frogs, and maybe Day geckos

[firereptiles]

I just finish this vivarium last week, it's 20gal tall aquarium. I used the great stuff for the background and added a small section of Second floor on the right side.
I also use a small filter to make a waterfall, but it became more like a fountain... lol, the filter was too strong.
Small pool at the center.. but the water is brownish because of the substrate...

For now it's still empty... Still haven't decide what to put in there yet..
For sure some dart frogs, and maybe small phelsumas too.
I think I'll need to add more horizontal branches if I want to add some phelsumas...

Here are some pics, sorry for the noise in the pics...
It's pretty hard to take enclosure pictures because of the glass reflections.

this one is from slightly higher angle

Comments & suggestions are welcomed

 

[MonteQ's]

Looks great!!

Are those surf boards in the front corner? :rofl:

 

[twitch_doberman]

wow that gorgeous. do you have WIP pictures? i'm biulding a 50 gal viv

 

[Turtlestork]

I have the same "surf frogs" kit that the little "croaky's Surf Shop" Came from. Ha. I also see a venus flytrap, which may quite easily get smashed by larger animals like geckos. And if thats english ivy in the back corner I believe that is toxic. And Yes you would probably need a lot more branches.

 

[Elphaba]

The tank looks great so far! I really like the landscaping you've done -- darts will enjoy that. What species were you looking into getting?

Some bromeliads along that background would not only look cool, but provide cover for the geckos. They look really neat along with bamboo.

As to the flytrap -- the previous poster is right in that frogs might trample it, and they also don't tend to do well in vivariums because of the constant humidity. Though they do grow in bogs, they like a cooler dormant period that's hard to provide in a viv without stressing out the inhabitants.

I can't say anything about the ivy, but I wasn't under the impression that it was toxic. I could've sworn I'd seen it in vivs before -- however, I could be wrong!

Please keep this thread updated with pictures! :biggrin:

Best,
Ash

 

[Lunar Gecko]

I can't say anything about the ivy, but I wasn't under the impression that it was toxic. I could've sworn I'd seen it in vivs before -- however, I could be wrong!

I think you are thinking of creeping oak leaf ficus, I have seen that in a lot of thanks. I'm almost 100% that ivy is toxic. Cool looking tank.

 

[Elphaba]

Lunargecko,

You're absolutely right, that's exactly what I was thinking of -- the oak leaf creeping fig. Looks just like ivy! Doesn't grow nearly as well, though... :lol:

~Ash

 

[zBrinks]

Ivy is toxic, but only if ingested. Most species do not do well long term in the high humidty darts require. It would be hard to provide a sufficiently warm basking area for day geckos without making the viv uncomfortably warm for dendrobatids in a 20H. I have very little experience with mantellas, but figuring they are from the same island as many day geckos, they might be a better choice.

 

[Lunar Gecko]

The problem with putting toxic plants in tanks is if you feed live prey in the tank like crickets or other. The feeder could munch on the plant then pass it onto the reptile when/if they eat it. Also with frogs I would worry about a leaf touching the soil and breaking down becoming mulch. I'm not sure if it would be a problem but I would think that the frog walking on the mulch and taking in some of the toxins through there skin maybe a problem, since they are so sensitive. I sometimes over think things like this so please tell me if I'm over thinking this.

 

[zBrinks]

That issue has been brought up on another forum I frequent (Dendroboard.com - a great forum for darts), and it has never seemed to manifest itself. Ive used various ivies in cg vivs, and as long as the primary occupant does not directly digest the plant, its a non-issue. Snake plant is another commonly used gecko plant, and it is toxic as well, if ingested.