Hello everyone. Help much appreciated.

[monster]

Hi UKNanoob , I am always glad to help . i think you will find this website to be helpful as this is uk and i like to order my stuff from hear .
Site : Dartfrog - Everything for the Amphibian Keeper

[brettlt]

Some people hook up a cool mist humidifier. Many also have a misting system to automatically mist the enclosure. Though there are a few that replicate rain, most just change the amount of misting time to replicate a rainy season.

Broms are native to most pdfs. How much the frog will use the brom depends on the type of frog, and individual tastes of the frog. But, it is generally recommended to at least have a couple of broms in the enclosure. Not required in all types, but recommended.

There is now a link posted to a supplier in the UK. And there is a forum in the UK about pdfs, though I do not know the name. It could be very helpful for finding suppliers.

The main advice is to do lots of research and planning so that both you and your frogs will be happy with the outcome of the viv.

[UKNanonoob]

Ok thanks guys.

I had a little look at the sites you have mentioned and they are good looking sites, thanks again.

As far as research goes, i really do like too research things thoroughly so as i get things exactly right and running well. I actually researched for over a year and a half for my aquarium so i dont mind waiting.

Now as far as a viv goeas i have an idea in mind and would like too work on it but im going too need loads of pointers along the way. I will be using UK forums too but have always found the advice and friendlyness of forums from elsewhere alot more satisfying.

The viv im after will hopefully house a few dart frogs, at present im not quite sure exactly what species, but im drawn to the blue frog which i believe to be azeures. Now i would like the set up too be as realistic as possible. Im not sure if it is at all possible but i want to have a nice water feature in the viv. Im thinking of having a small pool of water at one end of the viv, the pool will have an overflow with some screaning on it too a small sump under the viv. Here i will have a pump feeding water back up into the display, where it will supply water too a small water fall feature. Im not sure if this is possible and please chime in on this, also will this help with humidity, as i believe humidity is a major part of the PDF viv?

I would like too add a mister of some sort too make the viv look even more realistic. Would you recomend a mister with a water feature? Or could this cause problems? Really silly question this but can a PDF drown at all?

As far as plants and substrate go what do you all recomend? Im after a really great looking viv, money will not really be a problem. I was looking at also having some vines in there too.

What kind of lighting do you all recommend? I have got a spare metal halide lying about which i could suspend over the viv or will this be too much lighting? It is a 150 watts, i can replace the 20k bulb for a 6500k if this is what the plants require.

I have many more questions but will leave that till another time.

[Rainfrog]

Yes the water feature sounds feasable, and yes a water feature will help keep humidity up.

[brettlt]

I was not trying to run you off from here. I just thought the UK forum would be more helpful for suppliers, as I know nothing about suppliers there.

Water features definitely help keep humidity higher. I have two in my 40 gallon tank. Dart frogs can drown, they are not the best swimmers. That is why it is important to provide easy access out of water features or ponds. This can be done by using gravel, etc. to give a slope so that they are not trying to climb straight up and out.

It is impossible to help with lighting without knowing what size enclosure you will be using. Metal halide is usually only used with tall enclosures. And 6500k would be better for the plants then 20000k.

Everything you mentioned in your plans are very doable. There is not a problem with using a mister and a water feature. I only hand mist mine, usually every other day, and humidity stays plenty high. Always over 80% at ground level.

[UKNanonoob]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the replies. I can see myself really getting into this facinating hobby.

Anyway, as i can see the proposed water feature looks as though it is possible which has really cheered me up. Im not sure on the exact size of the viv yet but will have more of an idea soon, im going to be getting the viv custom made so as all the necesarry holes are in the viv for plumbing etc..

Thanks for all the help Brett, can i ask why you use a hand mister? Are the misting systems any good?

Im definatly going to have a pool at one end of the viv but was wondering what sort of substrate you would use in the pool and also how to build the banks up so as my PDF's can exit the water easily enough?

[r90s]

Another site that can be useful is:

DendroBoard.com

Good luck