How Should I Set Up a White's Tree Frog Terrarium?

[Pandamanda111]

Hello!
i am saving up for a larger terrarium for Ollie, my White's tree frog. I want to buy him the Exo-Terra 12x12x18, or if my parents will let me (which I'm 99.99% sure they wont) The 18x18x24.

I want Ollie to be really really happy. How can I set up the perfect WTF habitat? I want to know everything-- how big of a water dish, what kinds of plants/fake plants, terrarium decor, what kind of substrate, what things for him to climb on, etc... Just tell me everything you know! thank you SO much! I want Ollie to be the happiest frog ever! He is such a cutie.
Thanks a ton!
-Pandamanda

[InfinitysDaughter]

If you can convince your parents, the 18x18x24 is the best. I have a 12x12x18 for my Azy and it dosn't seem to be enough space for her.

Either way what you'll need is up space and plenty of it. Large pieces of wood (large enough for him to sit on comfortably) that can be arranged in a horizontal-vertical (more horizontal then vertical but still going slightly up) that he can climb up on. You'll also want hiding places. A good sized broad leaf plant such as a Pathos or similar is good because the vines can be arranged around the wood to make places he can hide in. Azy had a favorite place in her half log I bought from Petsmart (the large one) but I had to throw it away last night because it was covered in mold on the inside. I'm still trying to figure out how that happened but I'd assume it was the lack of breathing room (in the 12x12x18) so the moisture in the substraight soaked right into the wood and created mold. If you can get the larger tank you might be able to avoid the issue and these half logs are really nice little hidy holes for them. And the water dish should be just a bit larger then he is. If you can take a bit of yarn or something and measure how long he is and how wide he is then pic a dish just slightly (no more then half an inch) bigger then he is long (the width should be right if its the right length).

Hope that helps. And I hope you can get the bigger tank. ^w^

[Pandamanda111]

Thank you for that helpful response!

How can you tell it isn't enough space for her
does she not have anything to do?

Where can I get this wood you are talking about? (a link would be fabulous!)

how would I plant the pathos? In a flower pot? And can I use regular fertilizer plant dirt?
What kind of substrate do you use?

I still really like the glass bowl for crickets idea...does anybody know where I can get a bowl like that? I mean, really, why would anybody make a glass bowl that small?

what heat lamp do you use? I just have some purple light bulb from petsmart. I really need to get a hygrometer! I'll do that next time I go to petsmart.

Thank you! Sorry so many questions.

[Pandamanda111]

oh, and should i turn the heat lamp off at night?

[Bolisnide]

Hello Pandamanda! I'm so happy to hear your upgrading Ollie's home. I agree with everything InfinitysDaughter has said...
As far as the heat lamp goes, my white's really dislikes any kind of light (blue, red, purple) at night, darkness is best. If you need heat at night you could get a low wattage ceramic heat emitter (but be careful, these get super hot and can also dry out the enclosure very quickly, and also your Ollie boy!). Or get a UTH heat mat and stick to the side of your tank. Those don't give off much heat, but certainly help at night when a frog likes darkness at night...

Oh, and as far as the wood goes, I just purchased wood that is used for aquariums (I have no idea what type of wood it is), but I'm sure Josh's frogs has a great selection of wood you could get. Josh's Frogs - Largest online herps feeders and reptile supplies store

[Bolisnide]

By the way, have you read this?
Frog Forum - White's Tree Frog Care - Litoria caerulea