Empty 30 Gallon.... hmmm.... what to do...

VivaLaVics

VivaLaVics

*blub bubble*
Oct 3, 2008
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Seattle, WA
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Hey guys! I generally post in the Cichlid forums, but here I am!

I have an empty 30 Gallon tank (was a grow out tank but know they are in their 55 gallon home) that I'd like to transform into a Terrarium. I went to a dart frog convention awhile back and would like one of those.... but I'm also interested in Newts, Mudskippers, and other froggies!

So I have a blank plate, and need some suggestions! I'll be posting lots of pics of the build to reimburse you for your time and thoughts! I just really have NO idea where to start.

It's a standard 30 gallon tank, I have all the fish accessories, 2 HOB, heater, air pump, airstone.... sand substrate and tons of rocks, not to mention all the other fish-related stuff I have just from my terrible MTS.

I would like to do a land/water combo- (which sort of rules out dart frogs....) but I just dont know what to get and where to start.

PS: Customizeing the tank, gluing things to walls and plants sound like a blast- I want a real project here- so get as creative as possible in your suggestions!

THANKS GUYS!
 
My advice, lame as it is, is to google "vivarium," "Paludarium," and "dart frog vivarium." There are some amazing setups out there(much better looking than I could ever make), and why not draw some inspiration from some vivarium Monet's or Renoir's.

A good website for ideas is blackjunglevivarium.com.
If you really want dart frogs, I say go for it and skip the whole paludarium thing. I personaly wish my paludarium was a complete vivarium, so I could add more plants and have dart frogs myself. http://www.blackjungle.com/
 
Thanks for the springboard guys! I've been googling and (bing-ing) lol. Found some good stuff- builds with step-by-step photos and the likes! Learned a lot about foam lol.... still not sure what to do. Dart frogs draw my main interests, but the b/f wants a water/land combo.... just not sure what to keep in there though....

will probably go for dart frog! SO CUTE! I knew I shouldnt have gone to that convention.... my main concern with the dart frog is maintaining the humidity and the crazy setup for the land.... seems like a lot to learn up on- so I'll be doing some reading.

Thanks again! =D I'll update as I go along.
 
OK- I have more direction now... and some more specific questions if ya'll dont mind helping me out...

Still torn slightly.

I either want to go Dart Frog, or Mudskipper....

Different set ups I think... unless Dart Frogs can live in a land/water split?

OK- Questions.

1: What other types of critters could be kept with mudskippers?
2: How many muddskippers could I have in a 30 gallon tank that is 50% land, 75% water?
3: How many Dart Frogs could I have in a 30 gallon tank?
4: How do you keep sand built up like a bay in mudskipper environment? I've seen just sand, and I've seen rocks under the sand... but dont they natrually live in MUD not sand?

I know I want to build up a nice wall with wood, foam and plant, and trickling water coming down- and have researched how to set that up etc. I think I could incorporate that into either a mudskipper environment or a dart frog environment....
 
I had darts for awhile and you can do a water/land combo with them, you just have to be sure that they can easily get out of the water if they fall in. Have a glass lid on the tank and with the water in there that would take care of the humidity issue. Some folks rig up a small computer fan to blow air against the front glass to keep it from fogging up.

Some darts can get along in a group and some cannot. The females can be very aggressive towards other females. I'd go with the tinctorius variety. They are generally the largest and also more bold than some. They won't hide in the plants on you and are active during the day. VERY cool frogs !

The tincs are very easy to care for, the only thing about the darts that eventually tired me out was keeping up with the fly production. It's not that difficult and really no biggie, but after awhile I just got sick of dealing with flies. MIght want to think of that before you decide on frogs. They are beautiful though ! I particularly like the Pristellas.

Have fun and do post pics !!
 
Thanks Emg! Yea- I think the b/f would have to do the feeding. I went to that convention and found a group that you can subscribe to shipments of a package that allow you to produce 3 batches of your own flightless flies.... i'd probably set that up but I just couldnt deal with them... ewie! Good point thought, and i'll have to consider that.

Cool that the humidity would be taken care of with the water- I was concerned about the layering set up that most dart frog tanks have....

Could I put other creatures in with Darts? Like if I had just 1 or 2 dart frogs- could I have some sort of fish in the water side? or another creature?

I'll look up the species you mentioned, thank you!
 
WELL.........if the bf is going to take care of the feeding....then by ALL means go with darts ! :D

The flies didn't gross me out or anything.....and I ordered cultures and supplies from Blackjungle. Two cultures would last a good while if you kept on top of them....and.....I reused the containers by washing them out with bleach and hot water. Letting it soak overnight and doing a good rinse afterward. I would leave the containers out for a good while before using them, to be sure all the bleach evaporated out.....but yeah, much better if someone ELSE is willing to go to all that trouble.....LOL !

I don't know if I would put anything on the land with the darts, but I wouldn't worry about adding a few small fish like endlers or something, for interest.

Here's a link with LOTS of viv pics and descriptions.....should have fun with this.... http://www.wildsky.net/vivarium/evivariu.htm
 
omg! i will be scrolling through there all day! =D thanks! yea- small fishes would be nice for some intrigue! Fan is a good idea. Need to set that up to be well hidden, as well as the pump for trickling water down the back wall...

yay! project!
 
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