29 gal semi_aquatic terrarium

[galad]

I am currently working on a semi_aquatic terrarium. Its divided down the middle with a piece of glass slanted to make a ramp, I have siliconed small black pebbles to the glass for looks and so w/e goes in there has something to grip on. It makes for a water level of about 5-6'' tall, and 12'' wide and 13'' long. The other side is about the same dimenstions just a ltittle bit bigger.
What I am wondering is what species would do well in an enclosure of this size. It is a 29 gallon fish tank.
I was think somewhere along the lines of maybe an albino pac man frog. Or maybe a trio of variable tree fogs.
Would this be a good set up for any species of salamander or newt?


any help is greatly appreciated.
thnx


ws

[TLH_Wär§cöötmän]

Lets see a pic if possible. I think it would be good for semiaquatic newts and salamanders. Should be good for froggies too. (from your description)

[galad]

Yea unfortuanlty my comp sux. So it will take a while for me to get pics up, prob as long as is will take to complete. So inabout a week or so I should have pics of it setup with water.
How big of an enclosure does a pac man need? Will they use deeper water like that?

thanx

ws

[Double J]

Horned frogs (pac man frogs) do not need deep water. The enclosure you have described would not work well fr a fossorial frog such as a pac man. Horned frogs do best in a terrestrial setup with coco-fiber substrate and a large but shallow and removeable water dish.

That said, here is a list of amphibians that would thrive in a setup like you described (singel species enclosure of course):

Fire belly toads (Bombina orientalis)
Reed frogs
Fire belly newts (Cynops sp.)
Spanish ribbed newts (Pleurodeles waltl)
Paddle tailed newts (Paramesotriton sp.)

These are just a few..... though check out the reed frogs.. they come in a wide variety of colors, are inexpensive, and not too difficult to care for provided the tank is set up properly.


If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Double J

[galad]

Awsome thanks alot double J
I have always liked the fire belly toads and newts, as well as the paddle tailed newt.
So right now I have the hole drilled in the bottom of the aquatic side. With a hose with cutoff valve running from under it.
I am also going to Put a small screen over the hole, as well as have large river rocks on the bottom. Would it be better to secure the stones with silicone?
Also would something like a small submersable sponge filter be good?

On the terrestrial side I have a rock wall created from non-toxic expandable foam. It has a good layer of coco fiber bedding on it. I am also going to attach some compact mosses, and some small plants planted into it.
Also thinking of some small umbrella plants, maybe some pothos.

What you think?


ws

[galad]

Oh yea was thinking a layer of gravel, then soil, and then coco fiber and mosses as a substrate.
Can anyone sudjest a good place to get live moss?

thanx

ws

[Double J]

Originally posted by galad
Oh yea was thinking a layer of gravel, then soil, and then coco fiber and mosses as a substrate.
Can anyone sudjest a good place to get live moss?


Hey there Galad. The soil with coco-fiber idea..... I would just make your own soil mix that has coco fiber as a base. Here is an excerpt from an old post o mine on soil mixes.....

"Get yourself some gravel..... the cheapest and best route is to get gravel, or river rock from a garden centre of nursery as it is much cheaper than purchasing aquarium gravel. But, if you do not have a good garden centre or nursery in your area, aquarium gravel will do the trick but will cost more. Rinse out your gravel, and have a layer of about two inches on the bottom of your tank. This will serve as the drainiage basin.. one of the most important elements of a healthy vivarium. Dig out the gravel in one corner of your tank. It need not be a large area... but this will serve as a water feature/pond, and will also be where you drain the excess water from. Next, cut some fiberglass window screen and place it over the gravel, except for the area that you wish to be the water area. This screen wil help keep the soil out of the gravel. The next step of course is your soil layer. STEER CLEAR of potting soils.. they are useless in dart frog tanks! They often contain vermiculite or perlite (which is bad), and will get soggy and disgusting after a month or two. Instead, I recommend making your *own* soil mix. Here is a cheap mix that has worked well for me:

1 part Eco-Earth aka bedabeast aka coconut husk fiber aka millenium coir fiber. This can be purchased in brick form from both pet stores and nurseries. Soak the brick in a bucket of water (instruction will come on the packaging of course) and then add your portions to the soil mixture.

1 part peat moss

1 part repti bark. This helps prevent the soil from becomingtoo heavily packed, and aids in drainage and aeration.

1/2 part sphagnum moss fibers. This keeps the mixture moist and adds some plant matter to the mix.

If you like, you can add 1 part of crushed oak or magnolia leaves. These will add good organic matter to the mixture, and will be great for the springtails which will be an inevitable arthopod inhabitant of your tank. The frogs will feast on these little arthropods.. and they are a good part of a healthy vivarium. You can also put crushed oak leaves on top of the soil.. because after all.. the rainforest floor is covered with a deep layer of leaf litter.

Now, the soil mixture can be placed over the window screen that is on top of the gravel. Have your soil from 2-3 inches deep. A deeper soil layer will help keep the humidity high, and of course is beneficial for the plants. Now, in terms of plants, here a few cheap, common, and well suited dart frog plants that I use on a regular basis:

Philodendron
pothos
various Pepperomia species
birds nest fern
Alocasia
Arrowhead vine
Ficus pumilia
various Calathea species and prayer plants
peace lily
java moss
small bromeliads

Plants are taken out of the pots and planted directly in the soil layer. Ensure that you wash off all of the potting soil around the roots, and give the leaves a rinse as well. "

For live moss, I would just go with java mosss. It grows well under low light, and if in the water, will creep onto the land to form a nice terrestrial carpet . Java moss can be found at most aquarium shops that sell live plants.

[galad]

Awsome thanks alot Double J. Your just cramed with good info.

I'll definatly be making the substrate as you desribed. I was already planning on using the peat moss. Where can i find dried up leaves at this time of year? lol

thanks alot for your help


ws

[Double J]

Originally posted by galad
Where can i find dried up leaves at this time of year? lol


I have a big oak tree in my backyard, and I collect loads in the fall. You will surely be able to get some leaves after the spring melt... I certainly do. From the way it looks at the moment... we may have to wait a few months :)

[HeatherRose]

Take a walk :D

I have quite a few large trees on my street that just did not want to drop their leaves this year... they're still attatched but dried out.

[galad]

awsome, but i live in winterpeg. There aremaybe three trees in the city that will have maybe acouple leaves on them. lol

We get real winter here, not your sissy foot of snow lol. j/k

But it is freaking cold mid-winter.

thanks guys ill be waiting for spring and i live right near a golf course so i should have plenty.
Do you guys bake them first to get rid of parasites or just add them right in?

peace

ws

[Double J]

Originally posted by galad
thanks guys ill be waiting for spring and i live right near a golf course so i should have plenty.
Do you guys bake them first to get rid of parasites or just add them right in?


I would be wary of using any plant matter that comes from a source that is near a golf course. Let's not forget the amounts of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers that golf courses pump inot the environment. Amphibians are far more sensitive to chemicals than reptiles, and any residual chemicals on the leaves could cause some problems. If you are more than a few blocks away, then it shouldn't be a problem, but any leaves from adjacent property or anywhere near runoff from the golf course should be avoided.

As for baking them... there is no need to. I put leaves directly from my backyard into all of my dart frog tanks. The only things you really need to keep an eye out for are spiders and centipedes. Beyond that, things like springtails, rolly-pollies, and earthworms may be introduced into your tank.. but trust me, they are a good thing! If you are truly paranoid, you can soak the leaves in hot water if you like, though it is not necessary.

Good luck on your leaf hunting.

Double J

[galad]

lol yea how dumb of me to not think of that. Darn pecticides.
anyways there are lots of trees in winnipeg im sure ill have lots to choose from come spring

thanks again ladies and gents


ws