Description

Vivarium Cooling Box for Dart Frogs, Amphibians & Bioactive Vivariums

Need a simple way to help keep your dart frog vivarium cooler during a UK heatwave? The Frogfather Vivarium Cooling Box is a 3D printed cooling housing designed to sit on top of your vivarium and work with a standard 80mm / 8cm USB PC fan and ordinary bagged ice or ice packs.

This is a practical, low-cost cooling aid for keepers who need an emergency or supplementary vivarium cooling system during hot weather. It has been designed with dart frogs, amphibians, tropical vivariums and bioactive enclosures in mind.

Please note: this listing is for the 3D printed cooling housing only. The fan, USB cable, power supply and ice are not included.

Why Use a Vivarium Cooling Box?

During UK heatwaves, vivarium temperatures can rise quickly, especially in rooms with multiple tanks, strong lighting, poor airflow or direct sunlight. Dart frogs and many other tropical amphibians are particularly sensitive to prolonged overheating.

This cooling box is designed to help reduce the temperature of the airflow entering or passing across the vivarium. In testing, it can help lower temperatures by around 2°C or more, depending on room temperature, humidity, airflow, ice volume and vivarium ventilation.

It is not a replacement for proper heatwave management, but it can be a very useful additional tool when temperatures start creeping up.

How It Works

The cooling box sits on top of the vivarium. Add ordinary bagged ice or a suitable reusable ice pack into the cooling chamber, then fit a standard 80mm USB PC fan. The fan draws or pushes air across the chilled section, helping create cooler airflow around the vivarium.

Depending on the room conditions and the amount of ice used, the cooling effect can last for up to approximately 6 hours before refilling is needed.

Ideal For

• Dart frog vivariums
• Bioactive vivariums
• Tropical amphibian enclosures
• Tree frog and mossy frog setups
• Reptile rooms during UK heatwaves
• Emergency vivarium cooling
• Supplementary frog room cooling

Key Features

• 3D printed in-house by Frogfather
• Designed for standard 80mm / 8cm USB PC fans
• Works with ordinary bagged ice or reusable ice packs
• Designed to sit on top of the vivarium
• Useful during UK heatwaves and hot summer days
• Can help reduce vivarium temperature by around 2°C or more
• Refillable cooling chamber
• Low-cost alternative to expensive cooling equipment
• Useful for dart frogs, amphibians and bioactive setups

Important Heatwave Advice

A cooling box works best as part of a wider heatwave strategy. The most effective way to protect dart frogs during hot weather is usually to keep the entire room cooler.

During the hottest part of the day, close blinds, close curtains and keep windows shut if the air outside is hotter than inside. Then ventilate properly later in the evening or overnight once outside temperatures begin to fall.

You can read our full heatwave guide here: Keeping Dart Frogs Cool in a UK Heatwave.

For more advice on airflow and summer vivarium management, you may also find these useful:

• Should You Use Fans on a Dart Frog Vivarium in Summer?
• Dart Frog Vivarium Airflow: The Missing Piece Most UK Keepers Ignore
• Keeping Dart Frogs Cool Without Drying Out the Vivarium

Works Well Alongside Other Frogfather Products

This cooling housing can be used alongside sensible airflow, misting and temperature monitoring. It is especially useful for keepers already using strong vivarium lighting or multiple enclosures in one room.

• Browse Frogfather 3D printed vivarium accessories
• View bioactive vivarium setups
• Aged bioactive vivarium substrate

Please Note

• This listing is for the 3D printed housing only.
• Fan is not included.
• Ice or ice packs are not included.
• Cooling results will vary depending on your room temperature, humidity, ice used and airflow.
• Always monitor vivarium temperatures with a reliable thermometer.
• Do not allow meltwater to enter electrical equipment.

FAQ – Dart Frog Vivarium Cooling Box

Does this vivarium cooling box come with a fan?

No. This listing is for the 3D printed cooling housing only. You will need a standard 80mm / 8cm USB PC fan, USB power supply and ice or ice packs.

What size fan does the cooling box use?

The cooling box is designed for a standard 80mm PC fan, also commonly sold as an 8cm USB fan.

Can this help keep dart frogs cool during a UK heatwave?

Yes, it is designed as a supplementary dart frog cooling system for hot weather. It can help reduce the temperature of airflow around the vivarium, but it should be used alongside sensible room cooling, shade, reduced lighting heat and careful temperature monitoring.

How much can it reduce vivarium temperature?

In typical use, it may help reduce temperatures by around 2°C or more. Results vary depending on ambient room temperature, humidity, ice volume, fan strength and enclosure ventilation.

How long does the cooling effect last?

Depending on the amount of ice used and the temperature of the room, the cooling effect can last for up to approximately 6 hours before the ice needs replacing.

Can I use ordinary bagged ice?

Yes. Ordinary bagged ice can be used, provided it is safely contained and meltwater cannot leak into electrical equipment or the vivarium.

Can I use reusable ice packs?

Yes. Reusable ice packs can also work well and may be easier to swap in and out during hot weather.

Is this safe for bioactive vivariums?

Yes, it has been designed with bioactive vivariums and tropical amphibian setups in mind. However, you should still monitor humidity, airflow and temperature carefully.

Will this dry out my vivarium?

Any fan-based cooling system can increase airflow and evaporation. This unit is intended to provide controlled supplementary cooling, but you should monitor humidity and misting during use.

Is this a replacement for air conditioning?

No. This is a small supplementary vivarium cooling aid, not a full room air conditioning system. For severe heatwaves, keeping the room cool is still the most important step.

Where should I place the cooling box?

The cooling box is designed to sit on top of the vivarium, positioned so the fan can move cooler air across or into the enclosure safely.

Can it be used for reptiles as well as dart frogs?

Yes, it may be useful for some reptile, amphibian and invertebrate enclosures where gentle supplementary cooling is needed. Always check the correct temperature range for your species.