RETF - Just getting started - Hospital/Quarantine Tank

[tinkgirl77]

Through researching while starting my first RETF vivarium, I have been told by several to have a quarantine/hospital tank on hand. I am running to the Petco sale to pick one up today... what size should I get? I plan on having 2 RETF to start. I understand they should be quarantined for 30 days once they arrive in a tank outside of the vivarium. Should they be separate? SO do I need 2 tanks? And how should this tank be set up? Thanks for any advice or help you can offer!

[deeishealthy]

I'm interested in the same. I was given a 12x12x18 tank for Christmas but now know if I want to RETF I need a bigger one. Should I keep this as a hospital/quarantine tank? Should I keep my new pets in the H/Q tank first? I need to read more...

[deranged chipmunk]

I use tupperware tubs for quarantining. But if you're gonna go glass, without doing a vertical conversion, a 20h is pretty close to perfect. Don't forget a lid for it as well. As long as they are the same species, you can keep multiple frogs in the same quarantine tank. This changes however when it actually becomes a "hospital tank".

Dee, a 12x12x18 would make an excellent quarantine tank. There are excellent threads in here about setting up quarantine tanks. Hopefully, one of my favorite moderators will pop in here and post it

[tinkgirl77]

This was helpful to me...
http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...questions.html

[tinkgirl77]

Correct, for now it will be only for Quarantine hopefully. Thanks for your response Bill. Another question for you... for RETF, how long should the quarantine last, I was told 30 days? I was told to use some silk foliage (say from exo-terra because they are on clearance at petco) and use a terrarium liner or dampened paper towel for substrate in the quarantine box... what do you think?

I have also ordered A Zoomed HygroTherm, UTH heating source to be side mounted, and a Exo-terra Monsoon for my Under Construction Vivarium (Exo Terra 18x18x24 Tall) that I will use for the quarantine tank until they are ready to move to their new home. What do you think of those products?

[deranged chipmunk]

30 days is minimum for me. If they are wild caught, i would assess them for 60 days. Paper towel substrate is best. I can't comment on the silk plants, i don't use them. I use pothos plants in my qt tubs.

[tinkgirl77]

bill, you're awesome thanks again. I didnt even think of putting a pothos in there! perfect!

What do you think of the equipment im getting, do you think that will suffice?

[deranged chipmunk]

Did i miss a post? What equipment?

[tinkgirl77]

lol sorry... I am getting an exo terra monsoon and a zoo med hygrotherm controller with a sidemounted uth heater for my exo terra 18 18. 24 tall tank and I'm going to use live plants.

[deranged chipmunk]

I would go with a mistking system. You can get them comparably priced at around $99. I had 2 monsoons and they both lasted until the warranty expired... lol otherwise, you should be good. if you need plant suggestions, don't hesitate to ask.

[tinkgirl77]

Thanks so much again. What must king system would you suggest? I don't wanna go crazy with money, but I want to invest what is needed. And feel free to give Abu and all suggestions! I'm still trying to get all my ideas together. Since this is my first. I worked at the zoo here for 8 years and at a veterinary clinic for 8 years as well. And I currently with in the medical field so I do have a good base of knowledge to start. But building the habitat is a little intimidating. What do you suggest for drainage in system? False bottom vs water bottom with suspended plants vs the clay ball things?

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[deranged chipmunk]

A base system will work fine and be plenty reliable. It is also easily expanded, so if you add more enclosures, no need for more equipment. I'm a false bottom person, but they all have their merits. I have a build thread on the mantella tank i built that shows everything i did step by step. Also, don and John's sticky tutorials are excellent sources of info.

[tinkgirl77]

Awesome I will try to look for them when I'm back in front of the desktop. You are so helpful. The info is so appreviated! Ok how do you feed yours (feeding bowl method, etc)? And what are you feeding them? How often? And what/ how often do you dust them?

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[deranged chipmunk]

Sorry, i can't advise you on that one. I did not fare well with my retf's. I mainly keep white's currently. I do believe, however, that there is a thread in the tree frog subforum about feeding retf's. If not, start a new one, but search first. Lynn and Heather are definitely 2 ladies to talk to about retf's. The one piece of advice i will give you on them, buy only captive bred frogs from a good breeder. Michael novy of rainforest junkies comes highly recommended and when.i get retf's again, i will most certainly get them from him.

[tinkgirl77]

Awesome, I'm already in contact with Heather, she definitely knows her stuff. How about plants, what are your recommendations and where to get them?

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[deranged chipmunk]

You are in awesome hands with Heather. plants? Yup, i can help with that. I'll post some links when i get home and in front of a real computer

[flybyferns]

Awesome I will try to look for them when I'm back in front of the desktop. You are so helpful. The info is so appreviated! Ok how do you feed yours (feeding bowl method, etc)? And what are you feeding them? How often? And what/ how often do you dust them?

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Hello
Welcome to Frog Fourm

I base my quarantine set up on where and how the frogs are purchased.
If you are purchasing your frogs from a breeder--- and they arrive together( in the same container) and/or they were raised from the same spawn--- then quarantine together. If they are not ... and/or come in separate containers and you can not determine if they were from the same spawn then separate them. If you have any doubt - then separate. If you are purchasing from a big box store --- then also separate...Even if they were together at the store !!! All for a minimum of 30 days. Time spent in quarantine is determined by how the frogs is adjusting/size/ how the frog is eating and thriving. ( ie I have had frogs in quarantine - with out an illness for more that 3 months) I use 10 gallon vertically oriented tanks to quarantine one adult or sub adult frog or a few froglets.

As for different quarantine instructions for a wild caught frog. Sorry. I have never had and will never have one. In my opinion, what's out there should stay out there !

You will need:
- screen lids, 2- clips for each screen and plexi for the fronts to keep the humidity in
-plain ( dampened ) paper towel for the bottom ( only de-chlorinated water for paper towel and soaking dishes)
-a shallow soaking dishes ( no deeper then just below the frogs chin ) should be in each tank ( I use plant saucers from home depot)

Remember- quarantine is for you too It is a great way to get to know your frog, and to monitor food intake and poop.

Red eyed tree frog enclosures need to be kept really clean !

Here's what I do:
I feed daily. I do not ration food. Feed them well !
Red Eyed Tree frogs adjust to bowl feed very quickly.
Use a good calcium and vits supplement such or Rep-Cal or Repashy -calcium Plus
( I alternate the use of both products) I dust calcium 5-6 days a week. Vits 3 days a week
One day a week the crickets have no dusting.

It's so much fun, I bet you're excited !

Lynn

[deranged chipmunk]

^^^^^ there ya go. Now you can see why i suggested getting info from Lynn.or Heather. Smart ladies thanks for the bailout Lynn

[flybyferns]

^^^^^ there ya go. Now you can see why i suggested getting info from Lynn.or Heather. Smart ladies thanks for the bailout Lynn

Thank you for the nice comments , Bill.

[deeishealthy]

Lynn, if I may... I cannot tell, does your quarantine/hospital tank have plants?