My tank set-up - Please Help :)

[X-Shadow]

Hi everyone!

I have recently finished setting up my vivarium! It includes a submersible pump with a waterfall unit, coconut husk soil (eco-earth), and a 50/50 water-land ratio. Polished river rock have been siliconed to the side of the land portion so it gives it a more natural feel!

If you have any comments or suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. I am sure many of you out there can help me out. Do you think there are problems with my set-up?

Thanks!

edit: It will be housing 2 FBN's (Fire Bellied Newts) and 1 FBT (Fire Bellied Toad). They are all of a very calm nature so i have no worries of fights.

This post has been edited by Shadow on Feb 13 2007, 04:27 AM

[keechoo]

Do you hav any plants in there? Live plants would be best. Either something that floats or something with big, sturdy leaves. The FBT would appreciate it. My water portion is full of plants because they seem to really enjoy hanging out in them.

The riverrock is great. I have it in my tank too.

[X-Shadow]

I am thinking a sturdy fake plant for the water and a live plant or two for the land. I don't want to have to focus to much on trimming and plant care (I already have a problem in my piranha tank ).

What do you think?

edit: Do you have any suggestions for a shortish plant and a nice ground cover? They need to be smll since I have a small vivarium (10 Gallons).

Would grass work as a plant? I am thinking it might since it is not completely submerged. What do you think?

This post has been edited by Shadow on Feb 14 2007, 01:39 AM

[goldenEye]

i dont really know, but i think u can use javamoss.

[X-Shadow]

Thanks! Anyone else have any ideas?

[keechoo]

Anything will work for them to hide out in. I don't like plastic plants because they can hurt the belly of the animals. I have some grass in the waterwhich the frogs sit in. Also, there are floating plants you can use. What kind of lighting are you using and for how long is it on? With all the plants in my tank, I'm not having any problems besides the frogs breaking off the leaves.

[X-Shadow]

The lighting will be fluorescent and it will be on for 10-12 hours a day. I am thinking of using silk plants so that the newts/toads won't get hurt. The land will consist of live plants of course!

[keechoo]

You shouldn't be having a plant problem then unless it has somethng to do with your water. Silk plants will do. I didn't even know they made them for underwater.

[X-Shadow]

Some of the plants need clipping and some even got uprooted!

Yup, they make silk plants. They are quite soft and I made the mistake of putting them with my piranhas. They got chewed up like crazy!

I am also thinking some duckweed for the surface of the water. What do you think?

[keechoo]

I would love to find duckweed around here! That and java moss I hear are great. Uprooted plants? They make anchors that help keep them down. I don't mind mine getting uprooted. I figure the toads are redecorating. Anyways, the roots eventually find their way down. You could always get potted ones or banana plants. As long an the plant can support them, they'll love it. That is if they like the water. Some of mine are in it all the time and others avoid it unless they absolutley need it which is hardly ever.

[X-Shadow]

I think I'll try duckweed and silk plants in the water. I'm not sure what I can have on the land though. I am thinking of something that looks like a Dracaena, but nice and small (an slow growing). Are there any plants like that other than succulents (they need to be dry)?

[keechoo]

There are some. I don't kow what they are called though. I remember seeing them at Petco. I know you can put in ivy, african violets, and a spider plant for the land side.

[X-Shadow]

Devils Ivy (Pothos) is too big as are spider plants (I have them at home in pots). African violets start rotting they get too wet.

Any other ideas?

[keechoo]

Sorry, that's all that I can come up with.

[X-Shadow]

It's okay then, thanks! Anyone else?