new to the fun

fish n toads · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2009, 08:05 AM

I have learned much from everyone on this forum. I am planning my first paludarium for fire belly toads, a 20 long or 29. I am building a waterfall with a built in filter, and i was just wondering, should the pump push the water through the filter, or pull it out?

beckdg · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 07:22 AM

either so long as it has to go through.... decide that around your plans... if you want you can use your filter pads to keep your frogs from gettins into somewhere you don't want them as long as the water has to go through it.... welcome to the site!

fish n toads · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 07:56 AM

Thanks a bunch!
Also, would anyone know if a Christmas cactus would be safe for fire bellies?

froggsong · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 11:40 PM

I don't see why not, but you probably don't want one in conditions that wet.

fish n toads · #5 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 12:34 PM

From what i knew, it is native to jungles of Brazil. I have found some mention of it being toxic to iguanas and (I believe) geckos. I was also thinking about using a runner of a spider plant in the viv as well.

I'm heading out now to get my tank, eggcrate and gs!!!

fish n toads · #6 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 04:15 PM

I got it!!!

Sorry, I'm feeling a little like the lady in the Progressive car insurance commercial.

froggsong · #7 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 09:59 PM

lol...

I'm no plant expert by far, lol... My mom always let her christmas cactus dry out between waterings, and it was healthy, big, and beautiful, so I just assumed that being really wet wouldn't be good for it. You should post that question in the plants forum and see what answers you get there from our more knowledgeable plant loving members.

HewesHort · #8 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 10:16 AM

if you grow the christmas cactus (Schlumbergera sp.) in a loose mix, something like 50/50 orchid seedling bark and coco fiber and keep it from staying wet it should do well. they grow as eppiphytes in their native habitat. you need to make sure your tank has good ventilation, these plants can get thrips and spidermites if there is no airflow or if the plant gets too over grown.

froggsong · #9 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 08:15 PM

So we could plant those in the background of the vive? That's an idea for sure. Very cool.

fish n toads · #10 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 09:52 PM

Would it be dangerous to the fbt's to leave underneath the platform open?
The slate piles under the platform are all separate, can be moved further apart. (I decided to try to raise it higher after it was at this point