Setting up new tank HELP!!

[adamfajge]

I set up a 12x12x18 for a red eyed tree frog that I plan on buying this week. I have everything set up and used COCO HUSK for the substrate . I have been misting it with the lighting on too get all parameters correct. My wife came home and said the tank smells. IS there another substrate that does not smell at all? I am sure its that. Will all substrates smell when wet?
Thanks

[bshmerlie]

Yeah...moist dirt smells earthy.

You can do what I do for my baby red eyes. I simply have a potted plant ( pothos usually) and a wet paoer towel on the floor. I change out the paper towel every day. No smell. Get a plant that fills in the height...it actually looks good.

[adamfajge]

If I use paper towels do i have to change them every day. Paper towels are very easy at least. Is there anything black or green easy like paper towels just not white? Are paper towels as absorbant as the Coco Husk?

[adamfajge]

I am assuming you have something covering most of the paper towels anyway?

[bshmerlie]

With one frog probably not everyday but if it gets pooped on yeah. you use a cricket you wont have to worry about dead crickets creating odor. Paper towel s are super easy. Pick up plant...wipe out old towel and put down a new one..spray with water. DONE. About a minute and your tank is always clean. Change and rinse out your soaking dish everyday.

[adamfajge]

With 1 frog could I change the paper towels maybe weekly? I wish they had black paper towels. ALso I put the paper towels in do I have to just mist the paper towels or saturate them to hold more moisture in

[mrzoggs]

dont they make unbleached paper towels? like the ones in public restrooms? the brown ones? idk if thats ok for them or not. just curious.

[adamfajge]

COuld I do barebottom? My temp and humidity are ok. Is it ok for the frog? Will he not like it. I thought he spends most of his time high above anyway.

[mrzoggs]

i answered that question in your other thread. if you do bare bottom you will have a lot more trouble cleaning unless you drill a hole in the bottom and simply flush it. the main thing is not disturbing your frogs. cocohusk i dont think has to be cleaned as much. esp if you get a bug culture to eat everything. paper towels you would want to change out every few days or so depending on how many dead cricket/poop/pee etc gets on it. but you dont want to disturb your frog in the process. bare bottom would work great except you can just remove the paper towel and dispose of it. you have to actually clean the bottom over and over. (more disturbing for your frog) maybe someone else on the forum will pipe up and have another idea. but its all about the safety and health of your frog. and with red eyes stress IS an issue. its better for you to "not like the look" and your frog be healthy than to "like the look and not have any "smell"" and your frog not be healthy. if i were you AND if this is a new frog. i would

1. use paper towels if this is a new frog. you want to make sure hes eating, pooping, etc
2. dont bother the frog too much.
3. make sure his temperature is correct. i dont really have to even use a light in mine. my house temperature is correct already. and i know plenty of successful read eye owners who dont use a light. and a little temperature drop at night is perfect for your frogs. dont let the frog temperature sit under 72 for long periods of time is what i was recently told by a zoologist/chemist who specializes in herps.
4. if you are using a small cheap plastic thermometer from the pet store. find a digital one with a probe that does your inside and outside temp. stick the probe in the tank and keep record that way. the small cheap ones are often wrong. especially the hydrometers. and you dont want to over heat/under heat your frog.
5. to me...substrate doesnt smell. i mean it does for a moment. but it either goes away fast or im just used to it. i dont know...but its never been smelly enough that i can smell it in my room. id have to stick my head directly over the tank...

anyways, just some friendly advice from your fellow RETF owner hopefully others will pipe up and let you know more.

[adamfajge]

Thinking of getting some brown paper towels for bottom. That will blend in better also. I have a digital on for the top of the tank and the other type for the inside bottom. Maybe I will get another digital. Is covering up part of the screen ok with plexiglass. WIll there be enough oxygen for him

[mrzoggs]

what does your tank look like? got a picture? i know on my aquarium with a screen lid i can cover up half of it and be find. as long as you have some ventilation in there it is ok. and you should be fine with the thermometers you have right now. brown paper towels should be ok. i dont see what it could hurt. might even be better if they are non bleached. let me know how it works.