35g hex - lets hear the suggestions!

[IndyCrestie]

I have a 35g hex that was given to me years ago, it's in great shape (does not hold water and I don't want to reseal it). I'm toying with the idea of setting it up and using it for something....

I love dart frogs, but I know nothing about them! Lots of research would be in order. I could also use it for more crested geckos, but I'd like something different since I've got 3 of them.

I'd love something that climbs (plants or glass) so the height can be utilized. Prefer tropical since that's what I'm experienced with. Anything is fair game, suggest away! :)

[Glaedr]

On Crested Lady's website, there's an excellent caresheet on dartfrogs.

[Art_Gecko]

If you've never kept frogs before, its usually recommended that Dart frogs are left to the experts, but if you did enough research i suppose you might get on ok. There are loads of species of tree frogs that are really amazing though, im getting some Whites Tree frogs, they get pretty huge (up to 4-5") but are the most handlable of the frogs and apparantly really entertaining. Theres a site i go on called http://www.repticzone.com/forums/TreeFrogs/index.html
That'll give you the basics!

[IndyCrestie]

I'm familiar with frog care, just never kept darts before. I don't want something to handle. :)

I've kept a variety of reptiles so while I wouldn't consider myself an expert, I've got quite a bit of experience with them overall.

[Haroldo]

In all honesty, the best dart frog site around is www.dendroboard.com. I'm a member over there as well and there is tons of info about dendrobates, mantellas and other species. You'll learn alot and with all the experts there, questions tend to get answered pretty fast.

[waldo]

It would make an awsome dart tank, I also like reed frogs and glass frogs.

[Art_Gecko]

Thats cool i'd say so for it then!!!

[palex134]

i'd say put a lizard or two in that bad boy. There is no shortage of species that would do well in there.

[Tokays_Unlimited]

Definatly set up a nice frog tank.I acquired 10 35 hexes from a shop last year.Set it up with colonies of Milk frogs.Ill get some pics of them all set up and next to each other.These pics are from about a year ago.Since i have changes to different plants etc.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f286/tokaysunlimited/IMG_2258.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f286/tokaysunlimited/IMG_2260.jpg

[Violoncello]

OOO get dart frogs! they are so awesome. The best ones to start would be leucs (forget the whole scientific name, thats just a nick). They are more communal than most darts (females normally fight). You rarely have to clean them and they are fun to watch. The only downside, which i think is kinda cool anyway, is you have to breed your own fruit flies. They are really not hard to take care of at all as long as you pick a good starter species, feed them every day or every other, and not over-crowd them.

[palex134]

I say a small plesumma sp. Also, you could try emerald tree skinks and various anolis!

[IndyCrestie]

I say a small plesumma sp.

What is that?

[IndyCrestie]

The only downside, which i think is kinda cool anyway, is you have to breed your own fruit flies. They are really not hard to take care of at all as long as you pick a good starter species, feed them every day or every other, and not over-crowd them.

Ohhhhh yuck! Is feeding fruit flies a requirement? I thought they would eat crickets like other small frogs. Fruit flies would definitely be a no-go so if they need those for good health, then that'll unfortunately eliminate them.

[palex134]

day geckos...

you could find many day geckos that would do well in a tank like that!

[IndyCrestie]

Ohh ok! Yes, I know what they are. Very pretty, super fast! :)

Guess I'll be going to the next reptile show or the one after and seeing what I can pick up!

[palex134]

hahha yah for handlable geckos, I wouldnt do days, but there are other geckos that would do well in that. Also, you could look into other lizards.

[Violoncello]

Some Dartfrogs can eat crix, like the terriblis. They are the biggest arrow frog i think and are the most deady (in the wild).

[IndyCrestie]

hahha yah for handlable geckos, I wouldnt do days, but there are other geckos that would do well in that. Also, you could look into other lizards.

Yeah, that's why I asked for suggestions. ;) There are a variety that would do well, was just curious what people would do with it if it were theirs. Trying to "expand my horizons" and get something I don't already have. So any lizard species that you think it neat in some way and would do well in that size habitat, suggest it and I'll look into it. :)

I think these guys are kinda cool: http://www.diamondreptile.com/flying_gecko.html

I'm just having trouble thinking of the less commonly kept species that like to climb.

[Violoncello]

Australian Velvet Geckos, maybe. They are arboreal and are handleable

[palex134]

yah you cant go wrong with oedura! I have 1.1 northern velvets, so awesome! A nice easy to care for species that is very chill and relaxed. They eat insects and occasionally baby food. They are good climbers, and are just awesome looking!

check out my post above with pics!

[Tokays_Unlimited]

Well there are plenty of Geco speacies you can put in there that can tolorate high humidity and handeling.:D

[IndyCrestie]

Again, I'm not looking for something to handle so attitude or speed is a-ok. Even if it is handleable, I will likely never handle it other than removal for cage cleaning. Too many pets, too much going on. I like to set up nice homes and watch them enjoy them. :)

[Violoncello]

mourning geckos ;)


i know i keep spitting out a bunch of things but this is a good one!

[Sgvreptilesss]

If you want something to keep as a set up animal.I would go witha Phelsuma species.They are very atracrive and like a well planted cage.And are very active during the day.And arnt very exspensive.

[palex134]

mournings are the fastest geckos I have ever seen. And a 35 hexagon could hold like 300 mournings hahah.

[MiNuRvA]

I really like day geckos- and I also love red eyed tree frogs- they have a lot of color to them, and are fairly easy to keep. (cricket-eaters)

[Crested Lady]

I'll have to hop on the frog bandwagon. (Wow, I just read that and it sounds like a horrible pun. Lol.) :D

Dart frogs are actually much easier to keep than I was first led to believe. For the longest time, I was scared to try them since I'd heard that they were only for "professional" frog keepers. Not the case at all.

Good frogs to start off with are:

azureus
auratus (green or blue, though greens are much easier to find)
tinctorius (I have "Patricias")
and leucomelas (a.k.a. "leucs")

Yes, they eat mostly fruitflies... but the flies are EXTREMELY easy to do. This was the part that worried me the most, but it's honestly the easiest thing in the world and VERY, VERY CHEAP. (Keeping crickets is harder and more expensive. Lol.)

You can also feed springtails, teeny crix, etc.

The frogs definitely have their own little personalities. Mine all hop to the front of the tank whenever I walk into the room. They're little pigs and aren't scared of people watching them. Funny little quirks like their toes twitching with excitement when they zoom in on a fruitfly... they're just too funny.

If you are interested in the frogs but are unsure, feel free to post any questions you may have and I'll do my best to help. I don't know everything, but I'll help you if I can. :D Also, dendroboard.com really is an awesome place to get dart frog info.