Tank Humidity

[Sidius]

Hello there, new to forums, and new owner of a 3inch pacman...after reading about them on and off for about a month I decided it was time to get one. He's doing great, and already has quite the appetite on him, 5 large crickets his first night and just downed 3 large guppies about half hour ago (which I raise in a 30g tank for quality purposes). I do have a question, is to much humidity harmful to them? My tank stays around 75F and about 80-85% humidity for the most part. My substrate is all natural frog moss in half the tank and sphagnum moss in the other half, under tank heating pad, and I have been misting once a day.

[tikonides]

hey welcome to the forums ! everything seems fine except for the substrate, the best way to go is eco earth, the moss you have in there might cause impaction once swallowed...I highly suggest you get eco earth, where is your under tank heat pad placed ? put it on the side because pacmans like to dig and you'll risk killing it if it's placed on the bottom, other than that you're good, how about some pics of the fella ?

[Ribbits]

I mist quite frequently, but it is dry in colorado. I like to keep the humidity around 70-80. If you have a mesh lid you might want to consider wrapping 50-75% of the lid in plastic wrap to keep things from drying out. More importantly than the humidity is the fact that you have moss as substrate. It is okay to have moss if you take the frog out to feed, although that is more stressful on the frog. If you feed your frog while it is on the moss it will end up eating moss while catching it's pray. The moss cannot be digested by the frog and your frog will die as a result. You should consider using fine coco husk substrate. It is easier to digest and holds moisture very well.

[Sidius]

I'll get some photos up once I find my camera, just moved so its in a box somewhere.. and the pad is placed on the bottom, i've been checking it though and doesn't feel like its getting to hot, but will move it. I was curious about that aspect of the moss, cause he did eat a little piece when I was giving him the crickets, to be honest thats why I didn't go with the eco earth but the moss will be switched out as soon as I can for eco earth.. just seemed like he would get a little mouth full of the eco earth when eating. The fish I held up in front of him with forceps so that wasn't an issue.

[Ribbits]

Sorry, I did not see that tikonides beat me too it. One other thing is to make sure you have a uvb light. The uvb is required for the frog to digest calcium. Also, a good schedule of light and dark hours will make your frog happy. Mine burrows during the day and pops about like clock work when his light is turned off.

[tikonides]

Hey ribbits, I was told that pacman frogs don't really need UVB light since it dries the tank, I personally don't use a uvb bulb, just a heat pad on the side of the tank, and make sure the water bowl is on the other end

[Ribbits]

So after a bit of research it looks like there are different opinions on uvb. From what I have read your frog is probably ok with or without it. Although, if you dont use a uvb bulb you need another source of vitamin d3 for your frog. Even though these frogs are nocturnal, many believe they still benefit from some uvb. Here is a link to a good article. Please let me know if anyone knows differently.

General Care Information - ReptileBuzz

[Sprout]

70-85 for humidity sounds good! Dusting your frog's with a calcium and vitamin powder will help too. Hope all goes well with your new frog

[Sidius]

I got the substrate all changed over to Eco Earth.. I actually like the look a little better and will get some photos up soon. The pacman seems to enjoy it as well, he ate up three guppies after being set inside the tank with the new substrate. I do appreciate all the advise/help, don't care if I have to buy more stuff.. just so long as the little guy is happy. My humidity actually went up to around 85ish with the eco earth. I also got a low wattage uvb bulb I will be adding today. I had also read that if your pacman is getting a steady diet of fish, that it isn't needed to dust their food since the fish provides a steady calcium source, or is that untrue? My feeder fish (guppies, and smaller goldfish) are kept with my L182's so they get a steady diet of dried bloodworms ( more for the feeders), and they clean up whats left of the veggie wafers and once a week, shrimp pellets.

[GrifTheGreat]

So after a bit of research it looks like there are different opinions on uvb. From what I have read your frog is probably ok with or without it. Although, if you dont use a uvb bulb you need another source of vitamin d3 for your frog. Even though these frogs are nocturnal, many believe they still benefit from some uvb. Here is a link to a good article. Please let me know if anyone knows differently.

General Care Information - ReptileBuzz

They benefit from about 4 to 6 hours of UVB light and full spectrum light a day just as long as the lights aren't too bright which they usually are due to the bulbs being fluorescent. Fluorescent bulbs are too bright and can damage the frogs eyes. It is best if your going to use a light to use an incandescent bulb that is no less than 25 watts and no more than 50 watts. Your frog should get is D3 from a calcium supplement in dust form to coat your frogs food rather than a light. It is healthier for the frog.