They don’t need d3, I am not sure if it will build up in their system.
I use this
Repashy Calcium Plus 4 oz JAR https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0844ZD85V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_vEhhFbSRZECEK
And supplement once a month with this for vitamin A
Repashy Vitamin A Plus https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BY9IMB0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_bFhhFbN136C4A
I ordered this one from Amazon a few months ago. Works great, good pressure, easy to setup and has a timer. Set it and forget it.
I know Mist king is what most people use for humidity but I bought this about a year ago and have zero complaints. It’s running 3 tanks. REPTI ZOO 10L Reptile Mister... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PRS6YCC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Also dart frogs don’t require a heating element or UVB. Room temperature is good.
Forgot to mention glass box tropical for plants as well. I’ve bought from them and everything went get.
I would say the NiCrew will be fine if you are only at 18" of height. I use https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07F7391M2/ref=emc_b_5_t on tanks up to 24 " tall (less with the substrate), and my plants have been great. I have a slightly taller tank with one of those lights and it struggles to reach the floor through all of the other plants (not sure if that is the light issue or more likely because I have a big elephant ear blocking lots of it).
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I think you will be fine with either!
Hmm, the chirping is pretty frequent during the day. When I still worked remotely there would be some days it would go on for 20 minutes or so. I don't catch it as often now but still daily and not as long unless they’re actively mating.
As for the light, I bought a Finnex Planted+ HLC. I did a lot of research and found it to be one of the best quality LEDs while not breaking the bank. I've also heard people using Nicrew, but probably want to check PAR ratings.
If it's of interest, I did post a whole build album here on Dendroboard.
I'm actually abroad for the next 2 weeks which is inconvenient since I don't remember the exact heating pad I use, but it's similar to this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Komodo-Advanced-Heat-Mat-276x274mm/dp/B00B99OU9S/
(Komodo is a reputable brand; I would avoid any cheap Chinese sellers on Amazon for things like heating elements which could be dangerous if not up to UK/EU standard)
The frogs don’t really need ventillation since they’re so small, its the plants that need some moving air but honestly the amount of air moved when you are working in the tank daily/every other day is enough in my experience. And no you don’t need leaf litter on the rocks they’re great! If you do want to use a fan I have one that blows air into the tank to cool it down in the summer and have an automatic mister to keep humidity levels up. Zoo Med Aqua Cool Aquarium Cooling Fan, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049RNVXI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3Q9YQR3FDT0TYH1BK5P
This is the one i use, its not the most quiet but it gets the job done and takes up relatively little room, just make sure you surround the nozzle fully with mesh so the frogs can’t get out. I had 2 frogs escape under the nozzle of my fan because i thought the gap was too small for them to fit through (wrong but i did catch the frogs in time)
Get this
Mini Wireless 1080P Security Camera Motion Activated Small Indoor Outdoor Nanny Cam for Cars Home Apartment (Exclude SD Card) (Small Camera) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DH9H46S/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_CQYNKBERM7CBDNJG3Z93
I got this for an entirely different reason but it records in HD, has a motion sensing setting and a setting for night vision and both at the same time. Comes with a little book that tells you the button/light combos. You need to buy an SD card tho.
I agree; pretty hard to go wrong. I have two tanks currently and I’m using these from Amazon - Hygger 14W Full Spectrum Aquarium Light with Aluminum Alloy Shell Extendable Brackets, White Blue Red LEDs, External Controller, for Freshwater Fish Tank (18-24 inch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X9T9PV6/ .
Plants and frogs are thriving, so they seem to be working 🙂
https://www.amazon.com/Coospider-Terrariums-Humidifier-Paludarium-Amphibians/dp/B07VVNP7F3/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=1VGOU884WK9OL&keywords=reptile+fogger&qid=1640964462&sprefix=reptile+fogger%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&s.... Try this one. I dont have it for a long time but I was recommended this one
This is simply untrue. They are out there. We use the reptizoo digital and love them.
I also highly suggest govee. I have alot of their products and absolutely love them. They will keep track of data for you and you can export it.
There's these digital ones on Amazon for like $5. I just got a couple of them and they both read the same. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M3P74N3/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_ZSQ0F10EA9BCJ22SKG18?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Oh also make sure get get a quality light for them. I have an 24x18x18 terrarium and this is the light I use. It’s bright, pretty, and great for the plants.
Here’s a link: Finnex Planted+ 24/7 HLC Aquarium LED Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S9H64L1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_CDZQKSPVA7VFMZJP3QX1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Which Govee is that? I use this (https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Indoor-Temperature-Humidity-Sensor/dp/B0872ZWV8X/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=govee+temperature&qid=1633380219&sr=8-3) for my research fridges, but I didn't think they could handle being in a tank.
I have these in my tanks and love them. reptizoo therm
I have also recently come across govee products which is bluetooth and will keep track of data. It doesn't have a display but could still be a good option. Haven't tried them yet.
Thanks for the thorough response.
Starting out, I’m totally fine with taking on the challenge of a shy species. It’s cool you recognized my name from the reef sub. I’m no stranger to having difficult corals or fish so I’m totally down for a challenge. My thought process what that I’d much rather get the frogs I want now vs rehoming easier ones down the road instead of setting up a second tank.
I’m totally on board with getting a larger setup. Looking online locally, I found one of these new for sale for only $80 on Craigslist. Any thoughts on it?
REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium, 18" x 18" x 24" Front Opening Terrarium with Double Hinge Door & Top Screen Ventilation, 30 Gallon Tank Large Reptile Terrarium (Knock-Down) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083NTQ66K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_BKVDKYM0JZW1TPJB6W4C
For lighting, I’m using an aquarium light (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6XD2FH) I’d gladly take any recommendations for better lights that would fit a 36” tank. For frogs I was thinking about getting 2 Phyllobates Terribilis to start and seeing how they do. Read they were good for beginners and ok in groups. I know not to mix morphs and species. As for humidity, I have a fogger running 10 minutes every 30 minutes, and it keeps humidity around 80%. Should I turn it off at night? It’s not bad if the fog covers the whole bottom of the tank while it’s running right? I have it in heated but my apartment is ~70 degrees always.
If its just for one tank you could try:
Or this:
https://www.dartfrogconnection.com/lighting/tropical-led-lights/dfc-tropical-led-light-1796.html
Basically any lighting you can find that puts out around 6000k and doesn't put off much heat.
I love this one for my 12x12x18 grow out tank. Keeps my plants alive and has a built in timer/ multiple brightness settings
BeamsWork Vivio Full Spectrum LED Timer Adjustable Dimmer Aquarium Fish Tank Light Freshwater 12 20 24 30 36 48 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KPPFC3Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_1HRYFb690X5Z1
I spent a little more time looking at the light. It does mention 6500K color temp. It actually looks like a pretty decent light for the money. Here is a link to the Beamswork:
This must be a pretty recent model from them as it only has a couple of reviews. It actually comes in a little cheaper than the light you originally mentioned, so I guess they haven't raised their prices after all. I like that the Beamswork comes with a timer and allows for a few brightness settings. Both lights are probably of similar quality I would guess, based on price. I did own a Beamswork for about a year, then gave it to a friend who is still using it 3 years later - for what it's worth.
Figured I'd give my two cents here as I'm setting up my first viv, and I come from a tropical plant/aquarium background. I spent a lot of time these past few weeks researching lighting, and ultimately narrowed it down to a T5 HO or an LED. I browsed both here and dendroboard pretty extensively, and I think I came to realize that the Finnex Planted+ might be the best bang for your buck. In particular, I was looking at the HLC model. It's a bit outside your budget ($66 on Amazon) but this article in particular did a really nice writeup on it. IMO it seems worth it to buy from a company that's already well reviewed and has long history of manufacturing products in this space.
I just got one by Finnex. I am 100% pleased with it. I purchased it to replace a first generation led of the same design. 8-10ish years later their new product lines offer much better color spectrum options and a WAY better price. Back then they were one of a very few options for going LED. The spectrums was only 7000K and they cost hundreds of dollars for the smallest light bars. I'm glad times have changed!
Since getting the original Finnex LED, I have tried several of the "knock off" brands and found their attention to detail in build quality and light spectrum to be not worth the trade off in price. All the cheaper LEDs were purchased, then disappointed me in color quality, and then mechanically failed during the time I used my much older Finnex LED faithfully did it's job.
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I won't be going back to the knock offs anytime soon.
The one linked below does cost 1/3 more than similar featured Chinese brands. Personally, getting a subtly more pleasant color spectrum, and a much higher build quality is well worth it. This is the exact one I chose, and it really makes my frogs natural colors vibrant.
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XSJHQDL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Yup! That's great advice. Springtails and isopods are also super easy to keep a colony of and grow on your own too. Just a slice of raw potato for the isopods and some grains of rice/brewers yeast/fish food for the springtails and they take care of the rest. I keep separate colonies of the isopods and springtails in separate plastic containers (1 to 2 cups in size) and will add them to my terrariums when ever I see the population in the container has a lot in it.
Josh's frogs is a darn good website too in my opinion. Not the cheapest but what I've gotten has been good quality and his informational videos are good too.
You may want a small circulation fan in there too. Depending on the type of frogs it helps with the airflow and if you aim the air stream at the front of the glass it helps get rid of the condensation on the viewing glass side.
I'm not an expert by any means but you want to make sure the roots on the bromeliads aren't buried in the substrate. I've killed all the ones I've "planted". Mine just like to be set on the top of the ground or tied to the back wall with the roots exposed.
Good luck and take lots of pictures and thank you for sharing!
Heres a link for some in expensive fans you can use in the terrarium. Just maybe glue some mesh over the uncovered side of the fan (just so no froggy accidentally gets nicked). I used hot glue or magnets to hold it to the top of my terrariums. Also you should have a way to measure the % humidity and temperature in there. (I'd avoid the cheapest ones since they are usually not very accurate from what I've found).