Substrate Notes: Gettin' Ready for Dart Frogs

[Grimm]

Over the past week or two I have been researching everywhere on the web and compiling information about different types or substrate, micro fauna, and leaf litter. I didnt plan on posting this but after rereading I realized that it could be usefull to others. I will be adding to the thread as I gather more information leading up to my build, but here is what I have so far....

[Grimm]

Substrates:

Mixture 1
-2 cups eco earth
-1 cup peat moss
-1/2 cup charcoal
-1/2 cup orchid bark
-1/8 cup clay
-Can also add shredded and long fiber sphagnum moss, sterilized sand, hydroton clay balls.

Mixture 2: High Draining (posted by Boabab95)
2 part peat
1 part orchid bark
2 parts sphagnum moss
1 part charcoal
1 part sand
2 parts chopped leaves


Matt Mirabello’s soil recipe: Panamanian soil analysis
kaolinite (EPK) 1100g 56%
Bentonite clay (absorbent clay kitty litter) 550g 28%
Fe Oxide red 70g 4%
Fe Oxide Yellow 70g 4%
Al oxide 60g 3% (not needed as it may be harmful for inhabitants)
sugar 15g 1%
cornstarch 15g 1%
gelatin 10g 1%
soy protein 10g 1%
CaCO3 20g 1%

Great soil discussion threads- http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/par...-analysis.html
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/gen...te-thread.html

Substrate Micro Fauna/Dart Diet:

-Fruit flies (melanogaster/funebris)
-Tropical Springtails
-“Blue” Springtails
-Woodlice (Spanish Giants, White Dwarfs) (good source of calcium in shell)
-Bean Beetles/Weevils (Cultures have very low smell)

Culturing springtails - Springtails and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw8n2x7COL8
Culturing Woodlice - Woodlice
Culturing Fruit flies - Drosophila
Culturing Bean Beetles (plus everything else you would want to know) - http://www.beanbeetles.org/handbook/
Adding fresh mushrooms and flaked fish food under leaf littler will act as an additional food source for micro fauna


Leaf Litter:

-Northern Magnolia (fast decomposition, and good for springtail populations)
-Southern Magnolia (slow decomposition, good for top asthetic layer)
-Oak
-Photinia
-Rhododendron
-Maple (fast decomposition, good for maintaining isopod populations)

Preparation methods include: Rinsing, boiling, microwave for 2-3 minutes in between wet paper towel, and bleach solutions.

[claymore]

Wow sounding really good Grimm!! And thanks for the links!!

I use a similar soil recipe...
-2 cups eco earth
-2 cup peat moss
-1 cup orchid bark
-1/2 cup sand
-2 parts leaf litter... Leaf litter is a mix of Oak and Maple.
-1 cup of tree fern fiber (when I have some small pieces left over)
I sterilize all leaves by boiling for 5 minutes.
Over all I never have added charcoal and clay (just because I never have any on hand).

[beckdg]

outstanding information, grimm.

[eos]

Good info.... Thanks for posting.

[Reptile Vivarium]

This reference guide is very helpful to myself and anyone who is new to using substrates. Nice job on researching this. Where did you find all of this information? It may be helpful for others to know also. Thanks!

[Grimm]

Originally Posted by Reptile Vivarium

This reference guide is very helpful to myself and anyone who is new to using substrates. Nice job on researching this. Where did you find all of this information? It may be helpful for others to know also. Thanks!

I found most of it while searching for info on substrate. Various forums, including dendroboards, canadart, and anything related to dart frog enclosures. I just pilled it all in a word document for myself, then of course edited it all nice and proper for my favorite website and you guys

[Greg H.]

Any time I see a substrate ingreadent list that includes charcoal and clay, all I can think about is Terra Preta.

[ems1016]

Great post! Please, though, I am really a beginner---can someone break it all down for me? Have no ideas what these things are or where to find them (please help): kaolinite (EPK), Fe Oxide red, soy protein, Fe Oxide Yellow, CaCO3 20g?????

[Grimm]

Here is the perfect thread for you

http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/par...materials.html