pumilio set up

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Posted by rayesreptiles on April 26, 2003 at 18:31:55:

In Reply to: pumilio set up posted by frogger777 on April 25, 2003 at 20:52:01:

:what would be the best tank set up for a pair (or group?) of pumilio, what size tank? what are some good plants? all the basics, thanks in advance

I keep a variation on patrick's set ups (I only wish I could afford his whole rack set up!) and they work extremely well.... for pairs. I don't recomend keeping pumilio in groups unless you have a very large tank so they can establish territories (like 50 gallons plus). My tanks are custom made, but the same size as Patrick's, 15 gallon high, or basically a ten gallon tank twice as tall. A cork roll goes diagonally across the tank (like in patrick's pics) with about 3 to 5 bromiliads per tank (small and dwarf neoregelia and verisea, stay away from guzmanias), and one filler plant, a vine (s. rayii I think) to fill some space for the more nervous varieties (I also have thumbnails in this set up, and they tend to hide more). The floor is just gravel bottom and dirt, with a layer of oak leaves on the bottom. The tanks have a drain just like with false bottoms.

Make sure there is enough light to keep your broms happy (compact flourescents are great for this), I buy bromiliad pups and let them grow into the tank to avoid getting the flowering plants that will die soon after. Moss is pointless in my opinion, the frogs seem to like (and indeed will lay eggs on) the oak leaves at the bottom of the tanks, and I get springtails going in each tank (great for babies to munch on before you catch them). Keep bromiliads full of water, as well as GENTLY flush them occasionally (a couple times a week) with water by pouring water on the center of the brom and letting it flow to the other axils to keep the water fresh as misting systems won't do this. Misting systems are great, especially with large or multiple tanks, but nothing you can't do by hand. Low vents, in the side or front, are great for ventilation and generally will keep you from needing a fan system (not easily done in glass tanks, but are done in other plastic/acrylic tanks like mine) and are a million time better for the plants and frogs than top openings.

That basic enough? Works with pumilio and aboreal thumbnails wonderfully. Send me a note if anyone wants more details on my set up.

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