help with growing my plants

[kermit5327]

so what about the types of bulbs that are used for fishies and what can i use for uvb out put

[Tennill]

UVB is mainly dealt with heat lamps to keep reptiles warm when there is no direct sunlight for them to soak in. Normal fisk tank bulbs themselves are just UVA, Both help out with plant growth and good for the Tokay... But with UVB you have to be carefull not to allow too much or it could harm her... UVB is what causes Skin Cancer..

[kermit5327]

oh thats cute lol im just really trying to find out what would be best for my tokay because i would like to introduce a male to her at some time and i wanna get her good and healthy

another thing with my tokay is i cant get her to put on weight at all im feeding her crickets and sometimes i throw on some calcium shake what else could i feed her to get her to fatten up a little

[Tennill]

As far as I know it can be quite difficult to breed Tokays, You have to meet alot of conditions... Say for example, I have a White dumpy tree frog, and if I were wanting to breed her with a mate, I would have to simulate a dry season for about two to three weeks. After that dry season, simulate a monsune. Lots and lots of hard core misting and watering for about a week or so. To let them believe that it was a spring time change in climate. It would take a lot of hard work, and even after that you're not even sure that they will mate or produce offspring. Tokays could also go through a seasonal change as well, but on that I'm not really sure.

[kermit5327]

yeah im pretty sure i do have to do something along the same lines as that with tokays

[Rainfrog]

For your Tokay I would get a UVB light that has a UVB out put of 2.0 to 5.0. they will be labeled in this maner. there are specific lights for tropical animals and desert animals. sice the trees and other foliage filter UVB Tropical animals need less than desert animals.

As for the plant death issue: What do you have in the way of a drainage layer? if your drainage is not sufficient you may be experiencing root rot due to prolonged over wetness of the plant roots.

Ya, I said over wetness

[kermit5327]

lol i think thats my problem i have been reading on here and i dont have a drainage layer in my tank is there like a how 2 on here anywere for a proper drainage layer

[Rainfrog]

I would take every thing out and put a good 2 inch Layer of expanded clay pellets in the bottom (hydroton, Lecca) then a layer of weed blocker cloth to prevent the substrate from packing into the drainage layer, then your substrate. This is a pretty simple way to set it up and I really like it. You need to make sure the water that collects under the surface stays at least 1/2 below the substrate to prevent capillary action from bogging up your viv. this should give you a nice environment for plants.

[kermit5327]

awsome thanks im gonna have to try it here soon i dont have the money for any more substrate right at this moment