First Pacman

[Sir Mitchel]

Hello, everyone,

I just got my first pacman frog (ornata). I've been lurking on these boards for the last week or so gathering the necessary information. My frog is roughly 2.5" in diameter, so I'm guessing he/she is 1-2 months old.

The only obstacle I've come across is that I'm having a hard time keeping the temperature in the correct range. We keep our home on the cool side (ambient 64-67F daytime), so keeping the tank temperature around 80-82F is giving me trouble. I currently am using a 5.5 gallon tank with 3/4 of the top screen covered. I have a UTH mounted on the side (back, long side) of the tank. I also have a blanket wrapped around the back and sides of the tank in an effort to retain more of the heat. I currently cannot seem to get the tank much warmer than 77-78F.

Any advice would be appreciated,

Mitch

[Wizzlewuzzle]

I had the same problem at first--cool house, couldn't keep the tank temps up. I'm using a fluker's clamp lamp now, and it works wonderfully. Just remember that you don't want to go over 50 watts on the bulb.

[Sir Mitchel]

I would like to avoid using a lamp, as I live in an already dry area. I worry that with a lamp I would have a hard time keeping the humidity where it needs to be. Could a second UTH be a solution?

[TeeRiddle]

Welcome to the forum and your first Pac!

Whenever you raise the temps humidity will drop no matter what heating method you use. Getting the temps and humidity just right can be a tricky see-saw sometimes. I'm guessing you are using a Zoo Med ReptiTherm mini - the 4 watt version (RH-7), or similar as the UTH? You could try another UTH, but the 4 watt pads don't put off much heat. Not sure it will raise temps 2 - 4 degrees.

My current terrarium is around 7 gallons and I didn't see any significant change in temps after adding this UTH (maybe bad temp gauge?).

If you do opt for a lamp I would suggest using a small dome lamp that has a dimmer switch. The dimmer switch gives you the ability to adjust the bulb output so you can dial it in perfectly. As Wizzle mentioned do not go over 50 watts. 25 - 40 watts should be more than enough for that sized tank.

I use a 25 watt black nighttime bulb hooked up to a Zoo Med HygroTherm which regulates the temps and humidity. Great device!

Hopefully someone a bit more knowledgeable than me can chime in with other suggestions as I'm still a newbie myself.

Please feel free to post a pic of your ornata, we'd love to see him/her!

[GrifTheGreat]

Welcome to Frog Forum,

You should be using a UTH appropriately sized for the tank you have. If you are set on not using a lamp you could try a second UTH. Just make sure its on the warm side of the tank near the original UTH. Make sure both are the same size.

Now you may still have to invest in a lamp if your temps don't quite reach the necessary level that's needed, but you can worry about that if having 2 UTH on the tank doesn't work. I would suggest keeping you frog in a warmer room and far away from AC vents to prevent drafts that can make the frog sick. If you must create a warmer room by closing some if the AC vents so they're only open a quarter of the way.

These are tropical frogs and MUST have tropical temps. By buying the little guy you have placed yourself uncharted of its care and must do what's necessary in order to provide the correct climate. Even if you must use a method that is less desirable to you like a heat lamp. Being in a dryer area perhaps make the soils mouthed level a bit more moist, but make sure it isn't muddy and water logged.

You've already been given correct advice on which kind of lamp to use and the correct wattage of bulbs in posts above. Any further questions feel free to ask.

[Sir Mitchel]

Since my last post I applied a second UTH, and it seems to be doing the trick. The temperature is now hovering at 82-83F. I was pretty surprised at the effectiveness of adding a second pad. I have them arranged in an "L" formation (one pad on left end, and one on the back-left of the tank). I should note, however, that the cool side of the tank is 78F. Is the cool-side temperature acceptable?