Red Eye Tree frog Viv build.. some advise please

[theRexMundi]

Hi,

Got all my stuff ordered ready to build a RETF viv this weekend. I read a lot of care sheets etc, and think i'm pretty much set with my knowledge but just wanted to ask for some advise, to make sure i'm not missing anything etc..

I plan to use a collection of real rocks. Is there any problems with this? They will all be glued together so no chance of falling etc...

Expanding foam covered in silicone the covered with eco earth.

Eco earth substrate with moss on top on raised egg crate etc..

Gonna build a small waterfall and shallow pond to.

All decorations have been boiled to clean them etc..

Does this all sound ok? Have i missed anything?

Thanks

[knighty]

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

think i'm pretty much set with my knowledge

Are these your first amphibians? if so i would strongly reconsider, they are very delicated and alot of experienced people are having problems. defo not for beginners.

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

I plan to use a collection of real rocks. Is there any problems with this? They will all be glued together so no chance of falling etc...

just make sur the rocks are not high in lime as tehy will effect the water

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

Expanding foam covered in silicone the covered with eco earth.

Personal opinion is to use grout or expoxy resin before adding the earth.

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

Eco earth substrate with moss on top on raised egg crate etc..

Scrap the moss, sphagnum can cause serious impactions. i would use dead leaves, twigs and nut shells, more natural to there environment

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

Gonna build a small waterfall and shallow pond to.

Be careful doing this with a.callidryas. they are poor swimmers and are not best suited to these cascade or water fall set ups. A small trickling steam would be much better

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

All decorations have been boiled to clean them etc..

What did you use, f10, bleach ???

[theRexMundi]

Thanks for your response.

These won't be my first, I have some tincs too. While I am still kinda new to amphibians, I have have done a lot of reading to understand their habitat and care. If you strongly recommend against these, I will reconsider my options.

The rocks are igneous and used for fish tanks so they will safe.

Is the use to grout to prevent any possible chemical bleed?

Moss scrapped.

The waterfall is more of a trickle and the pond area is only a couple of cm deep with plently of small stones in it so there will be little chance of any danger.

Should have been a little more descriptive with the last point. They have been soaked in a 10% bleech solution. Rinsed with hot water, then soak in hot water once more.

[Morgan Freeman]

Personally I always use spray foam, silicone, eco earth as do many dart keepers.

Ultimately it's up to you which to use.

[LiamAndKec]

Not a Red-eye person so I can't really help, but pics when you've got everything set up would be ace. =]

[knighty]

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

Thanks for your response.

These won't be my first, I have some tincs too. While I am still kinda new to amphibians, I have have done a lot of reading to understand their habitat and care. If you strongly recommend against these, I will reconsider my options.

Of you are keeping tincs im sure you will be fine, just leave them to do there thing and avoid handling them.

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

The rocks are igneous and used for fish tanks so they will safe.

yep they will be fine

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

Is the use to grout to prevent any possible chemical bleed?

Yes it is, epoxy resin is also a good choice and can be shaped to add new features and dimension.

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

Moss scrapped.

good

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

The waterfall is more of a trickle and the pond area is only a couple of cm deep with plently of small stones in it so there will be little chance of any danger.

That sounds good mate.

Originally Posted by theRexMundi

Should have been a little more descriptive with the last point. They have been soaked in a 10% bleech solution. Rinsed with hot water, then soak in hot water once more.

that sounds ace, just be sure they have dried before use.

Cant wait to see the pics, you using live plants?

[andaroo]

Originally Posted by knighty

just leave them to do there thing and avoid handling them.

I cant stress this one enough! I had 2 die on me a fews weeks after I handled them after a week or so of having them and this mistake could have possibly lead to their death as they hadn't settled in and I stressed them out too much. So don't be foolish like i was don't touch them don't wake them up to show friends/family. The risk just ain't worth it.

[SteveCourty]

Im guessing youve seen the terrarium build with the crates on here? Should look good if your following that

[ilovetoads2]

I have done several tanks for this species and would like to suggest one thing to you...

have a separate tank set up for the quarantine. There have been a few problems with this species of late and many deaths...we dont know the exact cause for all of them but I have had 2 lots (a year apart) first were adults, 2 died within a fortnight, second lot babies, 2 died in 2 days. These were obviously ill and in this case the tanks have to be ripped out and done again, diposing of everything to ensure any disease or bacteria is rid of.

So, if you are going to the effort of this kind of build, fantastic, I have one...but please quarantine for 4-6 weeks in a separate simple tank first to avoid this heartbreaking proceedure should the worst happen.

[fatlad69]

Excellant advice and worth doing for all new additions to a collection. I lost my entire collection of 15 PDF's and never found out why.