The Real Price of a Rainforest in Your Living Room
Dart frogs are some of the most captivating creatures you can keep — colourful, active, and relatively low maintenance once set up. But how much does it really cost to create a proper home for them in the UK?
In this post, we’ll break down the full cost of setting up a dart frog vivarium, from enclosure and lighting to frogs and feeders — with honest, item-by-item examples based on products available at Frogfather.co.uk.
Cost Overview: The Short Answer
On average, setting up a single dart frog vivarium for 2–3 frogs will cost between £250–£500, depending on the size of your enclosure, how many features you include, and whether you automate misting or lighting.
Here’s the breakdown by category:
1. Vivarium Enclosure
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Glass vivarium (45×45×60 cm) | £90–£130 |
| 3D-printed ventilation upgrades | £10–£25 |
| Background/cork features | £10–£40 |
Larger or taller tanks increase cost, but 45×45×60 cm is ideal for a trio.
🛒 Explore Frogfather’s vivarium range
2. Lighting
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Full-spectrum LED bar | £25–£60 |
| Timer plug | £5–£10 |
| Reflectors/brackets | £10–£20 |
LEDs are best for beginners and plant growth with low heat output.
3. Heating & Thermostat (Optional)
Most UK frog rooms don’t need heating year-round, but in colder months:
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Oil-filled radiator (room heater) | £30–£60 |
| Digital thermometer | £8–£15 |
No heat mats required!
4. Bioactive Substrate & Hardscape
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Bioactive Vivarium Kit (substrate, LECA, mesh, etc.) | £30–£45 |
| Leaf litter, moss, cork bark | £15–£30 |
Everything in one box = fewer surprises.
5. Plants & Decoration
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Bioactive Vivarium Plant Bundle | £25–£35 |
| Suction planters / vines | £10–£20 |
For a true rainforest look, plants are where it comes alive.
6. Clean-Up Crew (Springtails & Isopods)
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Bioactive Clean-Up Crew Kit | £15–£25 |
Essential for healthy substrate and natural waste breakdown.
7. Misting System (Optional but Recommended)
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Manual mist bottle | £3–£10 |
| HabiStat Humidifier Splitter Kit | £12–£35 |
| Digital timer for misting | £10–£20 |
Manual misting works — but automation saves time and prevents droughts.
8. Dart Frogs Themselves
| Frog Type | Price per Frog | Total for 2–3 |
|---|---|---|
| Dendrobates tinctorius (e.g. Azureus) | £40–£70 | £80–£210 |
| Ranitomeya variabilis ‘Tumuc’ | £60–£90 | £120–£270 |
Browse available morphs: Dart Frogs for Sale
9. Feeding & Supplements
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Fruit fly cultures | £5–£15 each |
| Repashy Calcium Plus | £8–£12 |
| Feeding spoon/pipette | £3–£8 |
Ongoing monthly food cost: £10–£20
Total Setup Cost Summary
| Category | Budget (£) | Premium (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure & lighting | £130 | £190 |
| Substrate & decor | £50 | £95 |
| Frogs (2–3) | £100 | £270 |
| Food, misting, microfauna | £40 | £80 |
| Total | £320 | £635 |
Most people spend £350–£450 for a complete setup with everything included.
Cost-Saving Tips
- Start with one frog morph and add more later
- Use bundle kits to reduce item-by-item cost
- Breed your own fruit flies
- Skip misting automation if you’re hands-on daily
- Watch for Frogfather sales or ex-breeder discounts
Frogfather says…
Setting up a dart frog vivarium is an investment — but it’s one that rewards you with years of enjoyment, natural beauty, and the satisfaction of a thriving micro-ecosystem in your home.
Start simple, use a kit to reduce guesswork, and expand your setup as your confidence grows.
