Just need a little help!

[krminnic85]

I am new to having fire bellies. I got two toads at the same time about a month ago...Chester and Lester.. One toad has died ( Lester ) and I don't know what from. I was cleaning the tank and when I was done put both toads back into the tank and Lester starting opening and closing his mouth and then flipped over on his back and that was it. I do know that both are male. When I first got them they barked all the time and were very active. Now that Lester has died, Chester is not barking or as active. He is still eating and pooping normally. He does however stay mostly out of the water unless I open the tank screen then he hops into the water. Is this normal??? I clean the tank weekly with a 100% water change every time! He seems to also look normal. His color hasn't changed. I keep the tank temp around 72-74 degrees with the water temp at 74 degrees. I dust his crickets with Repti Calcium with D3 once a week. I feed every other day. Please help!

[Jcalcagno]

What do you need help with. Sounds like he is doing great. Sometimes our little friends die.

[krminnic85]

Also I have a question about lighting. I have a Repti Glo 2.0 UVB lighting. I have read that this is not needed but the people at the pet stores say yes.. could this be making my toads act weird?

[MantisMan]

ok first off the water CANT BE WARMER THAN THE LAND!! they need cool water if they get too hot
remember they cant regulate body heat
i recommend a small light just to give them daylight cycles
also dont use tap water and i dont recommend doing 100% water changes each week, i'd say 50% water changes a week 100% water changes every 6 months that's what i do and they do fine

[krminnic85]

I know not to use tap water! I've also had a pacman. I do 100% water changes due to only having a large water bowl. so I have too!!

[MantisMan]

ok good
i would just be sure the water isnt warmer than the land
they should be fine, these things r almost impossible to screw up with

[Heatheranne]

Tap water is fine with dechlorinator. Do you have a picture of your set up? That may help.

[krminnic85]

here's the set up.. Chester is doing great now!! Thanks for all the help.. he seems fine now

picture on left is old set up and picture on the right is new set up. ( old set up is right after I cleaned it so rocks and plants were missing )

[MantisMan]

lookin good but make sure the lamp doesnt heat the tank too much

[Faith]

Love the setup! I'm drawing out my own as we speak (what I hope to set up sometime soon.) Looking at all the different ones on here, at least I know I have some wiggle room! How does your fire belly like his swimming area? I'm thinking on doing half and half in the tank but I've noticed a lot of people who had that instead (just wondering how it works with them.) I assume like humans, it does vary a bit

[MantisMan]

i sometimes have the tank all water with a little thing out of it as land (spawning setup) and sometimes it's all land with a big water bowl

[krminnic85]

I liked both set ups but Chester hated the half land half water one! now he plays all the time in the water but also loves hopping around the rocks and plants.

Alex- My light doesnt give of heat its just a UVB. I do have a digital temp/humidity gauge forgot to put it back after last cleaning. tank is staying at about 72-74!

Im also thinking about adding a new toad... What needs to be done in order to do that!!

[Faith]

Awww. Well glad you have it setup the way he likes it, that's great

I'm anxious to see someone else's response to you as well, on giving him a new friend. I've yet to read up on how that works!

[MantisMan]

just go get a healthy toad from the pet store of a similar size and they should be fine