Planted 12" X 12" Exo Terra Viv

[hydrophyte]

Planted 12" X 12" Exo Terra Viv

This is a new little project that I have a good start on, but I am still trying to figure out livestock selection. I considered using one or two Ranitomeya or other smaller dart frog, but the setup (see details below) might not be so good for most frog species. Somebody suggested a Melanophryniscus stelzneri walking toad and I kind of like the idea of them, but I don't know if I can find them. If I can figure out a good display species it seems more likely I'll use some kind of smaller pet roach or mantis. I'd be interested in any ideas anybody might have.

Here is the Exo Terra with the Forest Floor false bottom plate.



In addition to some plants planted into the bottom I also made this manzanita feature to position in the middle of the layout. The manzanita branches are mounted to a 1/4" plastic plate suspended from the enclosure top plastic rim.



Here it is in the enclosure.



I wanted to plant the manzanita with some small epiphytic plants, so I wrapped some long-fibre sphagnum moss around the pieces facing toward the front that would be in the brighter light.



And here it is planted.





To finish up the planting I positioned a few small terrestrial plants in the bottom, then covered that false bottom assembly with leaf litter.



I think this will start looking cool when those little epiphytic mini ferns start to spread and fill in on the manzanita.

Thanks for reading. I'll be interested to hear any suggestions at all for livestock. I put this together mainly as a plant display but I hope I can figure out a good animal to put in there too.