Lighting and Humidty Questions

[Green Ghost]

Nice setup. Sorry I didn't get to answer earlier, I just got home and saw your post. Lights (lumens) won't hurt your frogs - unless we're talking about a flash at night from a camera or something. Light quality will help your plants though and your frogs will do better in a natural looking setup with live plants, like you have now.

The difference between T5's and T12's is T-5's (1/2" dia.) are smaller and more compact and will put out a higher quantity of lumens than the same size (length) T-12 (1 1/2" dia.) lights but they are much more expensive. I'd recommend T5's though for many reasons. If you can't do T5's and are considering T12's then don't worry about having enough light with T12's they will definitely do the trick. You'll see a lot of hype on the net about having bulbs that will put out 6500K and more. I think for terrariums this is not necessary. I use T12's in my sump that are rated in the 4000k range and my plants (and water plants too) are doing great.

For your moss, it's a combination of heat humidity and amount & duration of light. It's trial and error mostly, depending on the kind of moss you have.

[Evilwezal]

I've bought a few packets of T-Rex Frogs Moss. I'll try and get it to grow some. The 6.7k bulbs I got a few days ago seem to really make the plants grow. I've got some Gold Tip Moss in there and it greened up alot. It was slowly dieing,but seems to be growing some now. Im thinking of getting some Riccia Flutians from Brianstropicals.com along with some multi-vitamins dust that contains betacarotine for my FBTs. I read that Betacarotine is what gives FBT's there vivid green color.

[Green Ghost]

Sounds like a plan

I feed my FBT's chopped earthworms, medium silkworms and of course crickets. I rarely dust the crickets, but I think dusting is definitely good.

[Evilwezal]

Green Ghost,have you ever feed Phoenix Worms? I did some research into them, they are the larva of the Black Soldier Fly,which is native to North America. Apparently they are loaded with calcium,protien and fat. Plus they've emite a anti-microbal secretion which keeps bacteria down. I'm thinking of ordering some .

[Green Ghost]

Originally Posted by Evilwezal

Green Ghost,have you ever feed Phoenix Worms? ...

Yup
I've been researching the soldier fly for awhile... see this forum
Black Soldier Fly project - Pond Boss Forum
You can see my post there near the bottom...

I experimented with a culture on some bullfrogs with no problems so I think it's a good idea if you have space outside.



Black Soldier Fly larvae raised with grain - Truveo Video Search

[Evilwezal]

Also...I've notice my FBT's "brown" up alittle more...I don't know if its just them changing there skin tones, or if the lights might beharmful in some way? The light bars are 6.7k and 700 lumens...They are the Daylight bar bulbs by GE. Just want to make sure I'm not harming my toadies.

[Green Ghost]

As far as I know, a fluorescent light bulb's brightness will not harm your frogs. It's normal for your frogs to change color to blend in with thier surroundings. So if the environment got a little brighter because of your new lights then I'd say it's fine.

So are they T5's ?

[Evilwezal]

They say f15s on the box...

[Green Ghost]

F15 T12 ? like that? That would mean fluorescent 15 Watt... and then some more numbers after?

Anyways it's all good - sorry for my curiosity

[Evilwezal]

It just says f15 on the box...I seen some T-5 light Fixtures there, but I wanted to use my hoods I currently have. they didnt have any t-5 lightbulbs in 18in.

The Box says f15,700 lumens, 6.7k k.