Newbie Planning a Firebelly Vivarium!

PD711 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 03:01 PM

Allright, so I thought I would just get some thoughts and opinions on my plans for my first vivarium.

1- I need to get myself a cabinet to put the vivarium on top of first... someplace to store supplies and crickets and things. I would like to keep them out of sight, smell and hearing if possible. will keeping them in a dark place like that make them noisy?

2- My vivarium is going to be for a few fire-bellied toads. I am thinking of getting a long, shallow tank, and going one of two ways with it...

I could get a piece of glass to put in a divider between the land and the water, and leave it at that. One problem with this is I don't really know where to get the glass from.

Or I could do the false bottom thing, but that sounds rather difficult... Not sure where to get the parts for this either.

3- background-wise I thought for the parts over the ground I would do the great stuff + silicone + coco fiber method. That won't really work for the aquatic portion of the tank, so I was thinking I would just silicone in some smooth river stones, letting them go a bit above the water level so it's a nice riverbed looking setup. I don't know if the silicone will hold the stones, though.

4- lastly, I would like to avoid plastic plants if at all possible, but I don't have the greenest thumb. Simple, easy suggestions for plants, both for shallow water and a little ground would be nice.

Let me know what you think!

Rainfrog · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 03:44 AM

I would go with a drainage layer of expanded clay pellets ( can get it at the garden shop its called hydroton) or small stones/gravel. then put a screen over that and put your soil down. you will have a water table under your soil keeping humidity up. drainage should be deep enough there in 1/2 in between water and soil. also your plats will not get water logged and the roots will not rot (will make having plats easyer) Crickets will make noise no matter what! However FBTs would be eating crickets that are not mature and dont have wings so there will be no noise. as far as what plants to use I cant help, I have no green thumbs.

PD711 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 11:25 PM

thanks. Though I have kind of see-sawed back to the false bottom idea.

Aquarium and stand are purchased. Now to get to work...

2manypets · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 11:13 AM

I have had two fbt's for about six months now and they live happily in an old aquarium tank(not sure of dimensions). They have about 4 inches deep of water in the bottom of the tank. Their land is actually a 'turtle dock' from exoterra at one side (covered with moss and half a small clay flower pot) and a 'container at the other end that I knocked up at work out of stainless steel. This container sits in the water with its lip just above the water level. It holds 2 plants that although they are pretty much constantly waterlogged are thriving. one is an Asplenium the other I'm not to sure about but has dark green leaves with scarlett vein like patterns (this one seems to be a favourite nibble for any crickets that last long enough!). At the moment I am in the process of saving up to by a larger tank that I can be more creative with (maybe a waterfall, more live plants). Another type of plant that might do well for you is bromeliads, the smaller varities, depending on space available. hope this helps and i'll let you know if I come up with anything more!

schlegelbagel · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 08:02 PM

i'm currently building one as well. I'm doing 1/3 land and 2/3 water with the glass divider in the middle. I got a small piece of plexi from home depot and cut to size. The water will be about 4 inches deep with a pump/filter to help keep it clean. I have been picking up river rock from the local stream to place in different sections for lots of different depths. For plants on the upside, i have a pothos ivy in a small container for a corner and a Nepthythis for the other side. both plants don't mind being wet. i'll put a few more big rocks for them to hang on, and a branch or two for them to climb on.

Pothos

Nepthythis

Pappy65 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 11:54 AM

Just signed up today, and also in the prosses of putting a tank together for 3 - 3yr old fire bellied toads that I'm adopting this weekend.. Some great ideas folks..

I've got a 29/gal tank, and was pondering on a devider or not , and after reading the above post don't think I'll be going with one now..

These little guys will have oodles of room to play.. can't wait.. I'll try and put some pictures up later..

Thanks..