So, I’m planning on getting three Fire Belly Toads in about a week or so, and while I’ve gotten a lot of my questions answered by simply lurking through this forum for the past, ah, month, I do have some specific things I need to ask.
My tank is a Zilla 20L Critter Cage (30x12x12). The original plan was to make a 50/50-type setup, with a pond area using a false bottom, but, this cage is not made to hold water, and I’m simply not going to be able to afford another tank of this size, so, I’m sticking with it. While I could tempt fates and try anyway, I’d rather not risk it. Instead, I’m using a large, clear tupperware container as their water source. (Specifically, this one.) So. Can I use a false bottom setup with such a large water, er, dish? Should I? How? Or would it just be better to fill the tank with a bunch of Eco Earth?
This ties into the next question I have. The main reason I’d want a false bottom at this point is to lessen the amount of substrate I’ll have to use. If I don’t go with a false bottom, how often would I have to replace my substrate? With there being (goodness) around 5 inches of the stuff, do I treat it more like cat litter, scooping out the mess, mixing it around, and adding a little bit of fresh substrate in?
Oh, er, I’m adding a small pothos plant to the terrarium, too. (It’s a cutting from a plant we’ve had in the house for years--pesticide free and safe.) Does that change things? How do you change out substrate around a live plant?
And, finally, does anyone have a recommended cleaning schedule? I know I should spot clean everyday, but, beyond that, I’m not entirely sure. Should I do a full terrarium scrub down once a month? When the tank starts to smell? With the water dish as large as it is, could I get away with daily half-water changes, and then a full change every week? Or should I really change it daily? (I’m putting a moss ball into it, and, eventually, some pothos to it.)
Thank you for any help you can provide!