Dart Frog newbie - Page 2

beckdg · #11 09-05-2010, 03:57 AM

how it's done... favorite links thread

one of the videos shows a homemade fogger that won't have that issue and will last for a bit. also... under "adding humidity cheap and easy" there's 3 links. 2 of them are for homemade foggers.

Judy S · #12 09-05-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckdg

how it's done... favorite links thread

one of the videos shows a homemade fogger that won't have that issue and will last for a bit. also... under "adding humidity cheap and easy" there's 3 links. 2 of them are for homemade foggers.

Wow....so much information!! All those "favorite links" would be a terrific thing to somehow have listed in the FAQ section, or someplace where the Newbies would be apt to go...I very much appreciate this treasure trove of information...

Vince · #13 09-05-2010, 11:03 AM

Hi Judy S,

As far as which frogs to start with I would recommend leucomelas. They are not only colorful, they are hardy and can withstand environmental changes easily. The males have a nice call and they are quite bold meaning they will be out most of the time. They can also be kept in groups depending on the size of the viv. Definetly a great beginner frog.

As far as the temp/humidity the viv I have my Leucs in does not have a false bottom rather pea gravel with mosses on top (by the way, a 20lb bag of pea gravel from your local garden store will cost you about 5 bucks, the same stone is sold at aquarium shops for 20 times as much). I have a pond area hidden in the back of the tank with an ultrasonic fogger to help add humidity. In addition to this I have a couple of computer type fans that not only help with air circulation but does a nice job of lowering the overall temp. Both fogger and fans are on timers that cycle on multiple times throughout the day. Without getting into expensive vivarium programable control systems this is alot cheaper. The only drawback is it will take some experimenting with the timing prior to introducing your frogs. It is also important to know that although the ultrasonic foggers are promoted as "cool misting" systems they will heat the water if left on too long.

Hope this helps.

Judy S · #14 09-05-2010, 01:21 PM

thanks for the advice...they were in consideration...the leucs. Are you using Radio Shack type computer fans that have to be wired to an adaptor and then you just lay them on top of a screen top?? Do you have half the top covered to keep in the humidity?? Is the fogger one of the ExoTerra ones?? One of the tanks I have is set up as a paladarium with the gravel as the only substrate...and has Endler livebearers in the water portion...and three tree frogs in the landscaped tank...but that tank doesn't need any more humidity--the other 30T has three tree frogs in it but needs the humidity for those times I can't be here to mist it. That tank has a RETF, a Blue Phase Chinese glider, and a Ulugurensis...yes, I know you aren't supposed to mix species...but I got talked into it...so much to learn...so little time...

JimO · #15 09-05-2010, 09:32 PM

I have a fogger that operates outside the vivarium and transfers the fog to the tank via a hose. The brand escapes me at the moment.

Great frogs to start with are any of the Dendrobates Tinctorius (tincs)morphs. I started with the blue morph. You could also try one of the D. Auratus morphs or D. Leucomelas (leucs). You have to be careful with tincs, though because the females, in particular, are very territorial and will fight and eat one another's eggs. The dominant female can so intimidate the other that it can die from hunger and depressed immune system. They are best kept in pairs. I have a pair of Auratus in a 29-gal tank and they are doing great. I understand that they aren't quite as territorial as tincs, but it is still best to keep a pair. Of the three, leucs seem to be the best suited to keep in groups if you have a larger vivarium.

I love my blue tincs (azureus). They are bold and out in the open most of the day. They also breed readily.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judy S

Ya know...that looks doable...even for me...how simply elegant a solution...I am now looking for advice on which dart to start with...and how people install the foggers so they don't spit all over the place if you don't use one of the Exo waterfalls...I wanted to use it with either the tree frogs I already have for humidity...or in the large Exo for darts...but I don't want them to drown...that thing spits water all over! Is the only solution..no pun intended...to have the false bottom and be prepared to suck out or pump out from time to time the excess water??? Ideas? That viv was amazing when it was finished...an explanation of what we were supposed to be looking at would've been nice...will watch all the rest of the videos on the same You Tube page. I admitted to being a rookie at all this...so might as well confess that I hadn't read all the pages so didn't know where that darn white box was...stupid, stupid...stupid... Thanks so much

Vince · #16 09-06-2010, 09:33 AM

To keep the humidity up i did put a plexi insert into half of the exo-terra top. I cut out holes to mount the fans which are Radioshack type computer fans. You are right in that they are 12 volt which means you would have to have an adapter to run them.

As for the fogger I use it is the exo-terra ultra sonic fog generator. The set up works rather well for me.