hello im new! (and a novice)

Glenn · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2010, 04:05 PM

hi, im new to the forum. my name is Glenn and my hobby is aquascaping and keeping tropical plants and fish. I have NEVER kept a viv/terrerium before! .on UKAP's some one gave a link to a web site about poison darts and planted vivs which i liked so read more about keeping amphibians (poison darts mainly) and i came across this forum and i thought it would be a good idea to join if i want to learn more.

(i dont know if i want to be a herper (???is that right???) just yet but i know i want to learn all about it as its facinating!)

so my first question. would my 2 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot fish tank be suitable for PDF. i have read about converting them as there are air flow issues but i dont understand yet so could some one enlighten me please? and i noticed that MOST vivs are taller than they are wider (the opposite to fish tank) so would i stand my fish tank on its end?

thanks any way the forum looks great!

kyryah · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2010, 08:46 PM

I am not familiar with PDF's, but standing your tank on end and making a door for the front is a good option.

Welcome to the forum!

beckdg · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2010, 08:44 AM

i think the exact species and native locale of said "morph" in question would better determine whether you should stand your tank on end or not. it is a popular way to keep darts as far as i see.

welcome to the site.

Epiphile · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckdg

i think the exact species and native locale of said "morph" in question would better determine whether you should stand your tank on end or not. it is a popular way to keep darts as far as i see.

Agreed. You may want to start with a more terrestrial species, as the 12x12 footprint of the upended 15G might be a bit small for most beginner species, even if they are using the whole of the vertical space. Just something to consider.

What were you concerned about as far as air flow? Pretty much any problem can be handled with a slight modification or two to the top.

Glenn · #5 (**permalink**) 04-22-2010, 02:31 PM

well what i mean by air flow is that if there isnt any air flow on the front pannel in a humid enviroment dosent it just steam up making it impossible to see in?
and which way do you think is best to stand the tank?

beckdg · #6 (**permalink**) 04-22-2010, 02:48 PM

yup... that's why we use fans to recirculate the humid air inside the environment and aim them directly across the front glass. still humid... only now we can see.

for maybe a trio of a smaller species vertical is good... but we'd need to know what species you want to suggest how to set the tank up.

Epiphile · #7 (**permalink**) 04-22-2010, 03:01 PM

I'd go horizontally to start, if it were me- you'll be learning enough as it is without having to worry about the logistics of upending the tank. Perhaps a morph of D. tinctorius or D. auratus might be a good place to start? I believe I'll be starting with D. tinctorius 'azureus' as my first, as apparently they appreciate a lot of floor space.

I agree with Beck about the fans- it's the best way, in my experience.

Glenn · #8 (**permalink**) 04-22-2010, 05:29 PM

i want to start with D.Tinctorius-a blue one (i like the colour). i believe this is one of the bigger darts. so what set-up do you recomend?

p.s i have a spare 3D aquarium back ground that i dont want that i may put in->>>>>>Juwel Background Stone Granite 600 X 550mm