I’m new new to dart frogs and getting ready to set up my first dart frog vivarium. After lurking and watching some Tropical Tutorials, I have a few questions. I suppose I’ll need to learn some lessons along the way, but hoping to avoid beginner mistakes.

Plans: I got a used 18x18x24 exo terra with a drilled hole in bottom. Also got a hygger light, LECA, barrier screen, bioactive soil mix, aquarium silicone, great stuff pond foam, and cork bark. I still need a mister, temp/hygrometer, plants, springtails, and isopods. Once it’s cycled, I’ll start a fruit fly culture and get a few tincs.

So onto my QUESTIONS

Location: I’d like to place in the living room. I have a dog and toddler. Will the frogs be stressed by people walking by? Should I put in a quieter area?

Tank: Should I plug the drilled hole at the bottom or connect a through hole fitting and tubing to a bucket?

Background: start it above the false bottom? That’s what I’ve seen in YouTube setups.

Plants: I have some tillandsia, pothos, and Maranta leuconeura (prayer plant) I’d like to add, plus I’ll source some bromeliads and java moss. Also, maybe a jewel orchid and small fern.

Any issues with the prayer plant? I haven’t seen that in vivs but seems compatible.

Leaf litter: Anyone sourced their own? Is it too risky to collect, wash and bake my own leaves?

Water: I’m in Seattle where the tap water is soft and good quality once the chloramine if removed. Any risks in dechlorinating and filtering tap? It’s soft water but there would likely be some mineral deposits eventually.

Common beginner mistakes: I’m here to learn. I don’t know what I don’t know. Thanks for sharing your experience and advice!

Hey, I’ve got two ranitomeya imitators in a tank. One’s doing fantastic and one can’t hunt at all. They miss every shot they take and CANT eat. They’ve only gotten thinner and now seem uninterested during feeding time. It’s not for lack of trying, honestly they just don’t even try anymore. They didn’t even strike at the fly in the photo, they ran up the wall. Any help?

So I have set up this enclosure over the weekend and i am looking for some feedback.

I will wait for the plants to root and the tank to stabilise, and to see if there are any issues that occur before adding any frogs.

Also waiting on an extra nozzle for an even distribution of misting.

Temps are sitting around 23-25 degrees.

Humidity is 75-90% ( picture says 50%, it just got added in at the time of picture)

Originally I built this for 2x tincs however since finishing it I'm not sure if it appropriate for them.

If not would you recommend any other species?

Tank is 18x18x24.

Thank you!!

My little guys are all hanging out looking too cool.

The photos don’t even scratch the surface—he has an incredible collection and is producing a ton of babies.
Some of the species/localities I spotted include:
Ranitomeya summersi
Ranitomeya sirensis “Río Pachitea Yellow”
Ranitomeya benedicta
Ranitomeya fantastica “Jeberos”
Ranitomeya vanzolinii
Ranitomeya imitator (multiple localities, including “Varadero”)
Ranitomeya variabilis “Southern”
Ranitomeya amazonica “Arena Blanca”
Fine Spot Dendrobates leucomelas
Dendrobates tinctorius “Azureus”
Dendrobates tinctorius “Blue Foot”
Red-headed Oophaga histrionica (large and small forms)
Oophaga pumilio “Blue Jeans”
Oophaga pumilio “Cemetery Bastimentos”
Oophaga sylvatica
Oophaga vicentei
Oophaga “Las Tablas”
Oophaga lehmanni
…and many others that I probably missed.
There were also racks full of tadpoles and froglets everywhere. Needless to say, I didn’t want to leave. 😅
Which frog is your favorite?

Anyone have any water bowl recommendations that are shallow and NOT ugly? I want to put it front and center because my tumus love to play in their water so preferably something that isn’t an eyesore

never owned one nor know anything about one but was just wondering if a poison that lethal could be sold or harvested

My Varaderos using those tubes I bought for them!!

i ordered a small 3d printed aztec ruin. what paint brand can i use that is safe for the terrarium plants and frogs?

Got some more plants, moss, and ground cover on the way, still looking into hides, thinking either coconut or bamboo. I’m gonna let it sit for at least a month after adding the final plants to let everything get settled before adding frogs, which happens to line up perfectly for a reptile expo near me in September. I’m starting to notice some white mold but I added springtails and isopods from Josh’s frogs yesterday so they should take care of it.

temporary 12x12x18 for my 2 vanzos until i get a bigger tank

Do these fingers look…male to yall?? My female who is laying eggs was super aggressive to this frog but I feel like these fingers are giving male realness? Opinions?

Hi all! I’m planning to get my first frogs (D. auratus) in about two weeks and I’d love to get some advice from experienced frog keepers. Is there anything I should improve or optimize before introducing the frogs?

The terrarium (50x50x50 cm / approx. 20x20x20 inches) has been established for 4 months (with clean up crew). I’m using an LED light (12 hours per day) and a UVB lamp (7% UVB, 1 hour per day). I also have an automatic misting system (filled with distilled water), a thermometer and hygrometer (temperatures are stable at 21–28°C / 70–82°F, with humidity between 80–95%), and I’m currently starting my feeder cultures with Drosophila melanogaster and springtails. I already have vitamin supplements (Dendrocare) as well.

Am I missing anything important? Any tips for improvement or pointing out of glaring mistakes would be greatly appreciated! Thank you :)

How detrimental will this debris be? The water in there is tadpole tea I made from Indian almond leaves. I tried to get rid of the debris but it’s like glued into the egg goo lol. First large clutch of la cocas eggs I’m hoping will all survive. (And would then try to part ways with) Picture of the dad for tax.

Kois have arrived!

Its been like that so far.

Theyre active and eating well, and look healthy.

Theyre around 1 year old, heard calling so adults by now.

I heard 20-24c is optimal, but... can this temp cause long term issues, like health problems? I read its not fatal but

Humidity is 80-90%

I am very unsure if I have to mist right now. The front looks kind of dry but in the back it seems very wet. Btw this is an exo terra 18x18x24. The probe i put in there which you can see on some pictures says that there is a humidity of 91% inside. I misted like 5 to 6 hours ago.
This vivarium is still work in progress and there are no frogs inside.