Filter and other stuff

[FroggyMadCatherinesMum]

HI guys, hope I've put this in the right place. If not, someone feel free to move it to somewhere more suitable.

So, getting ready to get some tadpoles for my daughter and trying to sort out the final details of the equipment i'll need. Planning to get 1 or 2 Southern Bell or Green and Golden Bell frogs. I have a glass fish tank that is 30 cm x 30 x 61 long. I have to make a screened lid for it yet. Anyone got any ideas on how to keep cats out, but let the air in?

I had bought an undergravel filter, but after seeing some very scary xray photos (on here!) of frog swallowing gravel I'm thinking that I'll take it back (the shop is willing to change anything). They also had a tall filter that had a grill intake at the bottom, and the water comes out the top. I didn't get that originally because I thought the water dropping might disturb the frogs. Would that be a better choice?

That's about it for now, loving this site. so much information that I think I'm getting a handle on, I just want to be sure I've got things right before we actually get our tadpoles!
Cheers!

[tearsmith]

Hello. Welcome to the forum. Good to see new faces!

So, about the filter question..... I am not an expert other than the info that I have packed into my brain from other "experts", hee hee, but here is what I know from experience.

I have fire-belly toads, and the Southern Bell frogs are semi-aquatic also. However, unlike most fire bellies, they tend to be avid climbers. So, you will need to make sure your habitat provides both tall plants to climb and marshy/wet areas. A water dish is not going to make them happy. So, I recommend looking at a combo between some great tree frog viv and aquatic toad vivs and mix it up. Use "Paludarium" in your search and you will get some great pics. The best filter, to me, is the tall one because this type of filter will not only clean the water, but will aerate it also. No need for an air pump (which you may or may not want anyway, but kill two birds with one stone, I say).
I have the tall repto filter and the frogs don't mind the water flow at all, like to sit in it actually, as long as you break it up some. I have mine running over a large rock at the moment, but I am building a rock fountain from foam to be completed in a few days. The water flow actually increases the humidity some too, which means you will not need a mister unless you just want one for effect. Moving water does evaporate fast, so be prepared to top off the water ever so often, but to me it's been well worth it. The filter provides it's function but also adds to the viv aesthetically too because the sound and flow is more natural.
Oh, and about the gravel. It's true. They will dart to grab a cricket and grab gravel too. Avoid!! I use river pebbles about the size of a peach seed. They are pretty and also the water can circulate around them better keeping the water a bit cleaner longer than gravel also. Just a suggestion.

Good luck with your tadpoles and welcome!

[John]

Screened lid is the way to go - make sure it's made out of sturdy metal to prevent the cats getting in. In the US we can buy such lids at any pet shop but you might have to do some searching in NZ. One point - since Bell Frogs climb well, you need to make sure the lid is held down so they can't raise a corner and escape.

Filter-wise, undergravels aren't great for animals like frogs, but as for swallowing gravel, I don't think that's a significant issue for tree frogs of any kind (I include Bell Frogs in that group), provided it's not on the land part of the terrarium. I like the sound of the tall filter you describe - the water flow from the top should help keep humidity levels up.

Glad you like the site!

[FroggyMadCatherinesMum]

Thanks guys for the help. I've decided to return the filter and get the tall one they had. I'd rather be safe and leave the gravel out of the equation altogether. I was starting to have some serious doubts after I got home with it and started doing some more reading, so thanks for confirming that.

Good news! I've managed to find a pet shop that is stocking Green and golden Bell frog tadpoles and expects to have some next time we go over to Christchurch in November. (We live in a small town with no pet shops - the only pet supplies we can get are some that are stocked by our local plant nursery). Chch is 3 1/2 hrs away, over the mountain ranges and we will be there in November, so Catherine will be getting her birthday pressies a little early! Now that I know I've only got a few weeks to get the tank sorted I really need to get my head around this stuff. Can I throw some ideas out to you guys and get some feedback on what will work, please?

Now, I've been trying to get my head around the habitat. I know that we'll need to have between 1/3 and 1/2 of the tank as water and the rest for land. I'm not sure I totally understand how the false bottom works in the tanks. Some seem to be lifted with pieces of pipe and the water swirls under the elevated land area and others seem to be lifted by pipes but blocked off from the water to leave a gap underneath the land area. What are the benefits of each?

I have a glass tank 30cm x 30cm x 61cm long. I'm thinking I'll create some land along the back wall and side edges and leave a pond type area along the front (long) wall. I think this should give a nice big space for swimming, but also plenty of room for jumping and stuff along the back. Does that sound ok? I realise that this size tank will probably only be a first home for 2 bell frogs and that we'll probably need to get something bigger once they are fully grown. Hopefully, though, this will tide them over for a few months?

ooops, gotta go, I'll continue this later... thanks in advance for any tips you have!