New to PDFs

[jm87]

not Adobe files either....buh dum tshhhhh!

OK...I'm considering getting a few (2 - 3) PDFs..prob D. Azureus as I like the colour...

I want to use a Exo-Terra PT-2607 (18" x 18" x 24") - is this a suitable tank?

I will of course forego the screen top in favour of a glass one, or one with a bulb fixture

I am going to use one of their sculptured backboards, or cork board...

I dont know whether to go with real plants or fake ones...obv. fake is easier maintenance-wise, but the real ones do look better.

If i go the real route, how should i set the tank as I'm also thinking of putting a small water feature in, so the water is moving, not left sitting thus getting stagnant (is this right?)

Does having real plants create any smell? any dead leaves will be removed but i intend to use moss and such, so I'm worried the moisture will create a swampy smell in my room

could someone please provide a list of the bare essentials in keeping PDFs...ill prob feed them fruit flies and small crickets as a treat on weekends

Thanks

James

[Austin]

Originally Posted by jm87

I want to use a Exo-Terra PT-2607 (18" x 18" x 24") - is this a suitable tank? yes

I will of course forego the screen top in favour of a glass one, or one with a bulb fixture

I am going to use one of their sculptured backboards, or cork board...

I dont know whether to go with real plants or fake ones...obv. fake is easier maintenance-wise, but the real ones do look better.always go real with dart frogs. Real ones keep humidity better and the frogs waste acts as a fertilizer for the plants.

If i go the real route, how should i set the tank as I'm also thinking of putting a small water feature in, so the water is moving, not left sitting thus getting stagnant (is this right?) yes, non moving water will become stagnant quickly, it also smells really bad when stagnant.

Does having real plants create any smell? any dead leaves will be removed but i intend to use moss and such, so I'm worried the moisture will create a swampy smell in my room not really, and no point in removing dead leave. Infact most ppl actually add leaf litter(dying leaves) until their tank to provide more hiding spots and living grounds for beneficial bugs.

could someone please provide a list of the bare essentials in keeping PDFs...ill prob feed them fruit flies and small crickets as a treat on weekends Spray bottle, 10-20 gallon tank, a source of water, water "dechlorinator", cocofiber, real plants, tank lid, light, minimum of 3 fruit fly cultures( if your going to have 3 frogs). I think that covers it, but plenty plants and leaves should also be added.

Thanks

James

My answers are in blue.

[jm87]

haha...i thought you were being sarcastic on the first response - "always buy real dart frogs"...sorry, reading it at 5.30am

Ah...i was aware i would need to treat the water somehow...Ok, I shall look into this...going to the store tonight to see whats what

So if I leave dead leaves and debris in there, does it not smell?

Also, I will need to add some kind of base layer and then the upper layer to plant into - any tips?

J

[Austin]

I usually just buy a bag of leca(sold at pet stores and many garden centers), watch it off(it has a lot of dust), dump it in the tank 1st, then put some screening covering the leca, and finally put the dirt on top. The dead leaves don't smell (at least not in my experience), if you find it smelly, then of course you're welcome to take it out

[beckdg]

check out my favorite link... i think it may help!

[jm87]

wow...thats huge.

Im gonna go with a 12 x 12 x 18 probably...ill get this at the end of the month. will be using coco fibre brick as substrate and planting into this. Will also use air plants and such.

Have decided on 2 azureus and will prob add another a little later on

[MarcNem]

If your going to go with azureus, you may want to go with a tank with a larger footprint. They are more terrestrial frogs. That 12x12x18 exo would be good for a pair or trio of thumbnails. Maybe a 20 long, 20 high, or maybe a 29 gal would work for a pair of azureus. The exo inly has a 12x12 footprint vs the 24x12 of a 20H.
Just my .02

Marc

[jm87]

OK...I am going with a 12x12x18 due to room restrictions...damn! will prob get two Azureus

I am hoping to get a small custom-built water feature in there...any advice as to pumps and techniques? i could use the exo-terra all in one waterfall but its just a room hog.

My plan is to section off with glass a small area, maybe 4" along the front and side of the tank in the front corner...to the glass i will afix gravel just to camoflage it i then run a pipe out of the tank to the pump and back in to the top of the water fall...likely to use plastic piping covered in gravel again. what is a safe glue to use, just plumbers silicone?

in terms of substrate to plant into and for the frogs, i will be using coco-fibre and sheets of slate for hides and to add interest

What plants are a good choice...i dont want anything that will take over, but something that looks good, like a fern or something and perhaps some creepers!

Thanks

James

[RecycledAgain]

That tank is pretty small for azureus, If you are going to Disregard Marcs advice at least take mine. I suggest you lose the pond area,The frogs wont use it to begin with and it will eat up a large portion of the substrate that big dart frogs like the azureus will use.

Dan

[jm87]

advice taken the waterfall / water area was more for me anyway to make it look pretty as they are terrestrial they need more floor space so am just going with a small water bowl in the corner, probably sunk into the coco fibre

please see my recent thread on Plants as I need some advice here

Thanks

James