My Madagascar Inspired Mantella Paludarium

[inclament]

Hey all, I'm not experienced in paludariums or any such business, but I saw your offhand comments about aphids and mites, and I happen to work in an organic greenhouse. First, identify identify identify! What kind of aphids or mites is the most important information to have before deciding on control. That being said, if you can get your hands on Aphidoletes midges for the aphids, or Chrysopa larvae (lacewings) they will clear up most aphids better than any chemical. And Phytoseilius persimilis is an excellent predatory mite for most pest mite species, it even tends to establish itself long-term, coming out of "dormancy" when pest mite populations emerge. I have to admit, I'm more than a little curious how biological control would work in an environment like yours. Dunno if this is useful at all, I'd be happy to expound on anything if ya had questions

[Fishies_in_Philly]

Originally Posted by inclament

Hey all, I'm not experienced in paludariums or any such business, but I saw your offhand comments about aphids and mites, and I happen to work in an organic greenhouse. First, identify identify identify! What kind of aphids or mites is the most important information to have before deciding on control. That being said, if you can get your hands on Aphidoletes midges for the aphids, or Chrysopa larvae (lacewings) they will clear up most aphids better than any chemical. And Phytoseilius persimilis is an excellent predatory mite for most pest mite species, it even tends to establish itself long-term, coming out of "dormancy" when pest mite populations emerge. I have to admit, I'm more than a little curious how biological control would work in an environment like yours. Dunno if this is useful at all, I'd be happy to expound on anything if ya had questions

Woohoo! You just because my new best friend.....lol and you're in pa? Even better.
My plan was to add a carnivorous plant. I was going to plant ug (i don't want to butcher the spelling) utricularia grammatifolia? Or maybe. Nice tropical sundew

[Fishies_in_Philly]

Oh, and i would NEVER add a chemical pesticide or any chemical for that matter to any of my tanks. Like you said, there are plenty of natural alternatives

[inclament]

Oh my! The plant geek in me just got a big, Blaben! I am thoroughly in love with U. graminifolia ;p, I'm currently scheming for a new tank to keep it. Sundews are really cool too, I love the ones that curl the whole leaf to wrap the insect. What kind of insect pressures do you have? Mealybugs at all? And what have you been using to kill them so far?

[Fishies_in_Philly]

You found the right place. Most of us are plant geeks as well. At least i know i am......lol

As far as bugs, the only ones i have are in my 125. Tiny, tiny (about 1 or 2 mm) white guys. They don't bother my frogs, and they do a wonderful job attacking waste. I honestly cannot id them positively because they are so small, even with my bifocals on, they are still tiny.....lol my guess would be they are juvenile springtails?

[EntoCraig]

This turned out really well. I really enjoy my vivariums and frogs. Never done Mantellas, just tincs.

[Fishies_in_Philly]

Originally Posted by EntoCraig

This turned out really well. I really enjoy my vivariums and frogs. Never done Mantellas, just tincs.

Thanks craig i plan on doing a tinc tank down the road. Most likely alanis, possibly new rivers, but i gotta get this madagascar kick out of my system first.......lol

[zzrguy]

That is a sweet deal you got going on. Some pics would be great.
Wbat king of critters you planing on putting in there.

[Fishies_in_Philly]

Thank you i'll post some new pics over the weekend. It is going to house either one of the painted mantellas or mantella betisleo

[crazydaz]

Ok, buddy.....time for new pics! Give us the scoop on what's new!

[Fishies_in_Philly]

I'll post some pics tonight Don. I ordered the frogs yesterday, along with a nice, fresh springtail culture. The die off is over and new growth is starting. So the plants are now acclimated and i can sit back and watch them grow for a while.

[crazydaz]

Ummmmm....................pics? A day late, and counting!!

[Fishies_in_Philly]

ok Don, i took new pics. i waited the extra 2 days because i wanted to start of with a pic like this, the new inhabitants!!

and their home. like i said, all the die of is gone, and new growth is starting to appear

added something new to the setup. an algae tank which will be used for water changes when the algae grows in.

that's all for now. next week, i should be able to add pics of my dubia roach set up

[jcork1]

It looks great!

[crazydaz]

This thing is just so damn cool.

I don't understand the need for the tank below the main, Bill. Would you mind explaining that a little better? It doesn't look like a true "sump"......is it for the rain/fogger system?

Sweet frogs man!!