Vivarium??

[threejjj]

Not exactly sure if this post belongs here but...
I have an empty 55 gallon tank that I would like to turn into a vivarium(half land half water) I cant seem to find any information as to how I go about setting it up. I want firebelly toads and newts on the land half and a male betta and 2 ADF's in the water.
Has anyone else tried this? I am looking for step by step instructions as to how to set it up.

Thanks

[PurpleSmurf]

Make sure you plan out what you want this too look like. If you want a waterfall, make sure you drill a hole for the pump line or intake to go through.

Fire belly toads and newts do not get along, you'll end up with three legged newts.

As a general guide to making a vivarium: Clean out your tank pretty thouroughly using water, an aquarium safe soap, and a rag. Make sure everything is completly dry and silicon on a glass / plexiglass / acrylic shelf to the tank. Your shelf can be any length, width, or height so long as it is a) angled slightly downward so water can drain into the aquarium b) if you have a curved lip on your shelf you'll need to drill/cut holes for water to drain from and c) your newts will need easy access to the water in the way of a beach or ramp.

After the silicon cures (two days) you can lay down substrate, plants, rock, and drift wood. Personally, I'd moisten it before placing it on the shelf, especially if you have drainage holes. Use an aquarium planting substrate on the shelf as the mixture of chemicals for outdoor gardening contains chemicals toxic to fish.

Your firebelly newts won't like or require anything more than room temperature (70 - 75 degress in the summer) and a little cooler in the winter, so a heater for the water isn't necessary. However, coldwater really limit the selection you stock with. You can use a heater, but keep the temperature around 72-74, this will allow you to keep platies and a few other hardy tropical fish with relative success. I wouldn't reccomend the betta as they like upper 70's to 80's.

You will also need a few areas of different mostures. The newts won't want to always be wet so they'll need a dry place to hang out in/on/at.

[pl*co]

Try these out for info:

http://www.blackjungle.com/ju01000.htm

http://www.homegrownherps.com/pages/vivarium_types.htm

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ekenuy/vivarpage.htm

http://www.vivariumconcepts.com/

http://www.vivaria.com/vivarium/vivarium.html

http://www.icomm.ca/dragon/cheap.htm

http://www.frognet.org/gallery/JasonW-vivarium - this one has some nice pics.

[threejjj]

Well I just found out that the tank is actualy 50 gallons and it is something called a Critter Cage(does anyone know what company makes these) . I actually got this tank from a friend who no longer wanted it. It has a russian tortoise in it right now. I am going to sell the tortoise and turn the tank into a vivarium. Now my question, the bottom of the tank says "do not fill with water". Does that mean that the tank cant be completly filled? I only want to fill about 1/4 of the tank up with water. Do you think It would hold it?

[rich311k]

A critter cage is made for reptiles. It is not made to be filled with water. the glass is much thinner.

[threejjj]

would it hold any water? There isnt going to be that much in it and the glass is just as thick as my ten gallon aquarium? The tank is 3 ft. long and I was planing on having only 6 to 10 inches of it being water and that water would only be 6 inches deep.

[rich311k]

I have kept a red eared slider in a 55 gallon version with 8 inches of water for years with no problems.

[WinterWind]

www.caudata.org is a great site for information on setting up a land/water tank. It's designed for newt enthusiasts, but has some forums for frogs and toads as well.

[threejjj]

So it will hold water? That is good because I really want to set this vivarium up so that the water part can have a male betta in it. Thanks

[threejjj]

Does anyone know if the following setup would work... 1 dumpy tree frog,1 green treefrog, 2 Firebelly Newts, 1 ADF and a Betta? Is there a better fish than a betta for this type setup?

[rich311k]

I have had no problems and no leaks I would be leary of filling it to the top, but thats not what you want to do. Good luck cant wait to see pics.

[Veneer]

Does anyone know if the following setup would work... 1 dumpy tree frog,1 green treefrog, 2 Firebelly Newts, 1 ADF and a Betta? Is there a better fish than a betta for this type setup?

Your dumpy tree frog (L. caerulea) may attempt to consume smaller tankmates (with potentially mutually fatal consequences in the case of the newts) as it matures. Look here (http://www.batcon.org/newsletter/enews-1203/frog_eating_bat.jpg), here (http://www.nwf.org/internationalwildlife/2001/images/frogso01.jpg), and here (http://www.brucemeans.com/around_world_photos_2001/frog_bat_snake170.jpg) for some images of adults consuming bat. They might appreciate a little more vertical space than you project.

[Kissofthegorami]

The thing about mixing amphibians with anything is that they will eat anything they can fit into their mouths. Your ADF will be consumed. You can try african clawed frogs. The albino version is available everywhere. They grow up to 4".

[tbone]

Does your tank have a crossbar on the top? most 55 gallon tanks that are quarium have them. If it doesnt...and if you are worried ,you can have it fitted with one or D.I.Y. with a glass bar and sillicone. If anything it would give you peace of mind. You really dont want even 10 gallons of water on your floor.....do you?

[TipStylez]

I miss my tree frog vivarium tank...

You should try to catch some moths outside that happens to fly around, and let them free inside your tank and your watch your frogs catch it, great to watch. :)

[threejjj]

TipStylez, What kind of frogs did you have in your vivarium? I am trying to figure out what I can stock mine with.

[TipStylez]

Some type of tree frog, small and green thats all i knew of when a friend gave it to me.

[pl*co]

Well I just found out that the tank is actualy 50 gallons and it is something called a Critter Cage(does anyone know what company makes these) . I actually got this tank from a friend who no longer wanted it. It has a russian tortoise in it right now. I am going to sell the tortoise and turn the tank into a vivarium. Now my question, the bottom of the tank says "do not fill with water". Does that mean that the tank cant be completly filled? I only want to fill about 1/4 of the tank up with water. Do you think It would hold it?

The All-Glass Aquarium Co. makes the "Critter Cage".

http://www.all-glass.com/products/cages/index.html click on the critter cage link on the right under the "cage" or on the left nav bar.

http://www.all-glass.com/products/cages/images/critter_cage_gecko.jpg

[threejjj]

Thanks Pl*co. Looks like mine is a 40 gallon not a 50 :(
Once I sell the tortoise I am going to begin working on the vivarium.

[threejjj]

Wait... just calculated the dimmensions and found out it is 45 gallons :D Makes me a little happier.

[greendeltatke]

Have you done any newt research yet? They aren't the easiest creatures to keep, and they really don't do well with frogs and most fish. For one thing they are very slow eaters. They won't be able to get to the food before everything else cleans it up. Like winterwind suggested go to www.caudata.org and find the page called species mixing disasters.

[Emg]

I feed my newts with a shishkabob scewer...lol....I feed them blackworms. Wind a few on the end of the scewer and just hold it in front of their faces. They snap them up pretty fast. I will also feed them fd tubifex worms the same way by soaking a piece in the tank water and pressing it onto the end of the scewer.

Seems to work fine with these critters. They're pretty cute. :D

http://wetwebfotos.com/usermedia/high/4/6434_15.jpg

[threejjj]

I forgot to post before... the firebelly newts are not going in the tank. I found out that there skin is toxcic and If i keep them it will limit what else I can keep. I will probabaly just have treefrogs and if I can find a non toxic newt I will get him. I checked out that link, very helpfull. Got an Idea of how I want to set my tank up.