Planted vivarium for whites tree frogs...advice

[twydell]

I'm 50/50 on going ahead with my plans for my whites tree frogs having a planted vivarium. I have plenty of plants, i'm just a bit yes and no about going for the idea of creating my own eco system because i have never done it before... i am a clean freak and im scared that if do it wrong my whites tree frogs will suffer and become ill from uncleanlyness...

could some of you confirm with on what i should do/use?

Ive got a 60 by 45 by 60 tank

for the first layer on the tank im using a good load of Hydroleca, to stop it water logging.... and then im going to cover it with substraight divider (garden antiweed mesh)

then a good layer of exo terra plantation soil mixed with orchid bark, and a thin layer of dendrosoil (living soil with springtails and woodlice to eat the waste)

im also going to put in some banana leafs because they have anti bacterial and anti fungus stuff in them.... im not sure who sells them though looked on pollywog and dartfrog but couldnt find it.

im assuming the drained water will just naturally evaporate, or be used by the plants..... have i got this all right?

[ipreferaflan]

I have no planted vivs as yet! Starting one for some pygmy chameleons though, so I'm in the same boat as you.

Here's the banana leaves Pollywog found them earlier on

[FrogNick]

sounds good, you can use oak leaves instead of banana same eftect.

[chrism]

Just use leca and leaf litter- so much easier!

You can use lots of different types of leaves (can list if interested)- just throw them in the microwave 1st! As for antifungal, in what way? The leaves contain tannins which is used in 'tadpole tea' to stop eggs moulding.

Are you buying 'dendrosoil'? If so, where from? Sounds like a commercial name for something you can make yourself, and probably for cheaper! Buy orchid back or eco earth (or leaf litter- can you tell my preference yet? Leaf litter and leca both have a brilliant surface are for springtail to live and multiply on). Then add springtail from Livefood Warehouse Springtails

[Ron Magpie]

You asked, I answered.

[Morgan Freeman]

Pro tip: the drainage layer eventually fills up, make sure you have a way to remove the water.

[twydell]

Originally Posted by Morgan Freeman

Pro tip: the drainage layer eventually fills up, make sure you have a way to remove the water.

well, no not really, im assuming it naturally evaporates or the plants drink it?

[Morgan Freeman]

Originally Posted by twydell

well, no not really, im assuming it naturally evaporates or the plants drink it?

Depends how much water you use, with whites I guess it doesn't need spraying that much but if you're watering the plants eventually the drainage layer will fill up.

[twydell]

hmm maybe. im not going to be adding some fancy water feature... so the only drainage it will be doing will be from misting the plants... which hopefully the plants will use most of.. i might add some sort of piping then incase it does fill up.... thanks for the tip

[chrism]

Again, easy to drain if just go with leca and leaf litter- get a turkey baster or syphon hose and just shove it down to the bottom of the tank and drain away!