Nw here, already have questions - Page 3

rudukai13 · #21 07-29-2010, 07:21 AM

I'm not really interested in any snakes related to garters. I've delt with them before, and while I believe they have their place they just aren't that interesting to me.

beckdg · #22 07-29-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudukai13

If I started with something that was about 50 gallons and worked with the land like you described, would I be able to create enough land area to keep a small group of darts? At this point it could go either to a dart tank or a snake tank if someone can suggest a snake species I'd be interested in...

i, personally would think so. might want to ask over in the dart section to be sure.

Ma77hew7 · #23 09-05-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudukai13

If I started with something that was about 50 gallons and worked with the land like you described, would I be able to create enough land area to keep a small group of darts? At this point it could go either to a dart tank or a snake tank if someone can suggest a snake species I'd be interested in...

I know this thread is not super recent, hopefully you are still interested in this rudukai13...

I just read the thread and it got my creative juices flowing

let me know what you think.

I'm no expert, but just was visualizing a Palu style viv where you could have the best of both worlds. Meaning that I would imagine that you could have a central island Dart Viv w/ a large water area surounding the whole island...

Let me explain my idea; Large converted aquarium to vivarium, (maybe 40 gal), Then construct a complex and "invisable" false bottom that supports the island and also keeps the darts out of the deep water. The idea would then be to conceal the false bottom completely from view from the exterior,(while making look as if it is natural), and still have the palu water scape in plain sight. Also do some fab work to allow the plants to grow up from the underwater substate,(minding the darts escape possibilites as well). The island could then work vertical into a tree "central ground"

? Or into a background, that would move from roots to shoots to background. I can visualize all of it in my mind, its a bit hard to write it... I guess if there is any interest I could draw it up and see if that helped? I'm not saying that this would be an easy undertaking, but with some added research, leg work, and a lot of trial and error. I think you would be able to come up with a sweet application of the complex and opposing habitat/animal requirements. Just a thought...

rudukai13 · #24 09-05-2010, 04:51 PM

I'm not quite sure I understand what you're describing...If you could do some sort of illustration that'd be a great help?

Ma77hew7 · #25 09-05-2010, 05:23 PM

Sure I'll have it to you by Tuesday

Ma77hew7 · #26 09-08-2010, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudukai13

I'm not quite sure I understand what you're describing...If you could do some sort of illustration that'd be a great help?

This is just a quick rough for the purpose to visualize the setup... There would be more obviously be more plants,(Bromeliads in particular). Also this sketch does not include the "invisible" false bottom,(that I'm still trying to work out in my head a bit).

I #'d certain areas to give an

of what I was thinking. 1)Water Level 2)Leaf litter 3)Island edge 4)Start of BG on glass 5)Wet habitat wood into BG 6)Start of BG on glass 7)Optional area of background upon side(s)

I would make the side background areas. Foam in lighter pieces of wood, from the glass into the center of the island. In doing that; it would provide more growth potential, and obviously escapes for the Darts. It might even help with the invisible false bottom. Meaning it could negate having to support weight. It would just be there for dart protection,(from the deeper water).

I'll update as soon as I can, with a sketch dedicated to the false bottom/ Paludarium section. I hope this helps visualize what I was thinking...

rudukai13 · #27 09-08-2010, 05:49 AM

Interesting...Is the island at all connected to the bottom of the tank, or is it suspended by being connected to the background?

Ma77hew7 · #28 09-08-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudukai13

Interesting...Is the island at all connected to the bottom of the tank, or is it suspended by being connected to the background?

Sorry it took me so long to reply... I wanted to start by saying that I think that Beck has posted some great alternatives. Also that the more experienced members, (especially w/ Darts), would probably be your best bet. I was just excited to try to help w/ a problem. That being said... I was thinking that the island could be suspended, if it were to help the invisible false bottom idea. Which is really just a cleverly designed and concealed barrier, for the Darts to the deep water.

nikole957 · #29 12-03-2010, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

Yeah I agree. Non of the posted enclosure would be suitable for any darts. They are all paludariums, and not intended to house land based critters. Plus most of the food would be lost due to drowing, instead of inside your frog's tummy.

Typically a dart enclosure will have only a small water feature, with multiple points of entry/exit. Some of the more experienced dart keepers even have said that if they were to rebuild their vivs, that the water feature would only have 1 side exposed to glass (meaning the 3 other sides could be used as exits) Take a look at this video from one of the more experience dart keepers on Dendroboards....At the 50 second mark you can see how a dart will continue to swim up against the glass after it falls in.

YouTube - Dendrobates auratus wrestling to establish dominance

Interesting...Thanks for the info, I'll have to rethink how I want to design my enclosure then. If the water level were to be lowered to the point where the frogs didn't have to swim to stay above the surface, and a more established land area were created, would that be an acceptable approach?