White's tree frogs heading our way...

[rosaphile]

Well, I took the plunge and placed my order with Josh's Frogs this morning - two White's tree frogs, 2 inches long. I am as nervous as a new mommy.

We have a batch of small crickets fattening up for them. We have a 10-gallon tank set up as a temporary home, and I got some dark posterboard to cover up the sides and back. My son is going on a Cub Scouts camping trip tomorrow night so the frogs will have at least a full day of peace and seclusion to get settled in. The only thing I'm concerned about is keeping their home warm enough. We heat with a wood stove, and the bedrooms can get quite cold, especially at night but also during the day. I have a 75W infrared bulb in a clamp lamp and I'm not sure it's going to be able to maintain a temp of 75 during the day, even with the dimmer turned all the way up. I'll keep an eye on it today and go get a higher wattage bulb if need be. I will definitely be getting a higher wattage bulb for the larger terrarium, anyway.

So that's all for now, but I will definitely try to post some pics once they arrive tomorrow morning!

[maimedophelia]

I started with a 10 gallon and a 75W light got a temp around 75-78 during the day - you should be good assuming that they're no where near the stove room - I grew up in a house with a wood stove so I know that sometimes they can really raise the temps in a house to the "smothering" level quicker than one might think - be careful the tank doesn't get overly hot, excess heat is more dangerous than the cold in most cases. I personally feel that a night bulb is essential to establishing a good rhythm/cycle and it helps ensure that the night temp doesn't get to low - winter can be harder to keep stable temps at night - I use a 60W NightGlo bulb and it keeps the night temp around 68-70. Enjoy your new frogs!

[Badger]

my house can get down to high fifties at night, and I use a 40 watt, and keeps it~70 at night which is perfect, and 77-80 in the day. I'm also using a bigger tank, so the 75 might be overkill

[rosaphile]

Last night it got down to about 60 in the bedroom, and with the 75W dimmed to about 80% it was right around 68 this morning, which was fine. I turned it up to 100% this morning and the house has been at about 65-66 degrees and the tank is still just 70 degrees. So I'm just guessing that even with the daylight CFLs on the bigger terrarium, I may need a more powerful IR bulb to keep it at the right temps. Of course I will monitor it closely.

[Badger]

Thats wwierd...it's 66 in my frog room and the tank is at 78....hmm. What type/brand of bulb are you using?

[rosaphile]

It's one I grabbed at Petsmart, I'm 98% sure it is the Exo Terra Heat Glo. It just occurred to me I should double-check the thermometer too. I'll have to see if I have any other thermometers with the right temp range.

[Badger]

I use this exact bulb, maybe try this one? Zoo Med Nightlight Red Reptile Bulb at PETCO (40 watt version)

[rosaphile]

I dunno, maybe it has something to do with the location of the probe in the tank? My husband has a temperature gun and checking with that, I found that some of the leaves of the fake plant under the light were around 75-76 degrees, while some of the cooler spots in the tank were more like 68 (the probe thermometer was reading 70). So there is a gradient of about 68-76 degrees in the tank. Does that seem okay for daytime temps?

[GrifTheGreat]

What about a Under tank Heater (UTH)? Could help with the temp problem. Not sure if these frogs require one but since they don't burrow it could be placed on the bottom and raise the temps a little more.

[rosaphile]

Alright, I have the temporary tank all ready for our new babies:


Temp shows about 71-72, but should be warmer on the leaves close to the light. About an inch of treated water in the gray dish, half a dozen crickets in the glass bowl - which is butted up against the stick-on climbing branch on the back of the tank for easy stalking access. I stuck green posterboard to the sides and back.

Does this seem adequate for them for a week or two or would you make any changes?

Once my terrarium hood comes in I can start messing around with the big terrarium, their permanent home.

[rosaphile]

They're here!!! Only 3 1/2 hours late (curse you, FedEx!).



They seem none the worse for the delay. Fingers crossed. My son will be too excited for words when he gets home from school....

PS. Just went to take a peek and one was already in the food bowl scarfing crickets! Now they are both soaking in the water dish.

[flybyferns]

Well, I took the plunge and placed my order with Josh's Frogs this morning - two White's tree frogs, 2 inches long. I am as nervous as a new mommy.

We have a batch of small crickets fattening up for them. We have a 10-gallon tank set up as a temporary home, and I got some dark posterboard to cover up the sides and back. My son is going on a Cub Scouts camping trip tomorrow night so the frogs will have at least a full day of peace and seclusion to get settled in. The only thing I'm concerned about is keeping their home warm enough. We heat with a wood stove, and the bedrooms can get quite cold, especially at night but also during the day. I have a 75W infrared bulb in a clamp lamp and I'm not sure it's going to be able to maintain a temp of 75 during the day, even with the dimmer turned all the way up. I'll keep an eye on it today and go get a higher wattage bulb if need be. I will definitely be getting a higher wattage bulb for the larger terrarium, anyway.

So that's all for now, but I will definitely try to post some pics once they arrive tomorrow morning!

Lori,
How exciting ! It sounds like you are all set.
As I'm sure you know, you will have plenty of support here.
Enjoy, Lynn

[flybyferns]

They are adorable !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait to see more pics.
And names? Your son will have a ball.

Lynn

[maimedophelia]

Precious! Congrats! I hope you and your son enjoy them.